Since the inaugural race over Labor Day Weekend in 2008, the Madison Marathon has grown by leaps and bounds. It has joined the ranks of American marathons that sell out each year. We have hosted runners from at least 40 states and several countries. Nearly one-half of the runners come from outside of Montana which is pretty good considering we have just 200 slots open. The 200 runner cap is due to US Forest Service policy which must regulate the number of runners on public land because the ecosystem on the Gravelly Range is quite pristine. When you see the route and its surrounding environment, you’ll understand that there is a lot to protect.

Every year, the Madison Marathon hosts Marathon Maniacs and 50-Staters. We also get a lot of runners who have made the Madison their first marathon along with many, many return runners (some for the 5th, 6th, and even 7th or 8thtime).

Why the success? We take no credit for being good race organizers. We try hard and mostly succeed in doing what we say we will, but it’s not us. It’s the scenery. It’s the elevation. It’s the wildlife (a bear ran in front of a runner one year and there was a wolf on the route a few years ago). It’s the camaraderie. Since there are only 200 runners, you have a chance to meet nearly everyone. It’s the chance to join an elite and unique experience. It’s the extraordinary opportunity to run a marathon at over 9,000 feet on a good quality gravel road under the Big Sky of Montana.It’s the fact that the starting line of the Madison Marathon is at 9,250 feet above sea level and just 13 states have mountain peaks higher than this starting line.

It’s the fact that you are almost guaranteed to get a PW because of the high elevation and the four to five-mile uphills and downhills that never dip below 8,500 feet. It’s also the fact that you won’t care about getting a PW because this marathon really is all about the experience. It’s the Highest Road Marathon on Planet Earth. Long distance running just doesn’t get any better than this.

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The Greater Yellowstone Adventure Series is a six-race series in Southwest Montana. The first race is on June 3 and the last race is on August 26.

Beginning at 12:00 AM on January 1, 2017, online signup for the Madison Trifecta and the Double Marathon will open. The Madison Trifecta is the combination of the 6th Annual Madison Duathlon (July 9), the 10th Annual Madison Marathon (July 22), and the 6th Annual Madison Triathlon (August 6) all within a four-week time span of the summer of 2017.

The Double Marathon is the 10th Annual Madison Marathon (July 22) followed by the 3rd Annual Big Sky Marathon the very next day (July 23).

For all other races and race categories, online sign up will begin at 12:00 Noon (MST) on March 1, 2017.The dates of the races are:

• 22nd Annual Madison River Run - June 3
• 6th Annual Madison Duathlon - July 9
• 10th Annual Madison Marathon - July 22
• 3rd Annual Big Sky Marathon - July 23
• 6th Annual Madison Triathlon - August 6
• The Inaugural Tour de Gravelly (The G88) – Proposed for August 26

There are no refunds allowed for any reason. However, we will allow you to transfer your entry to anyone either online or as arranged by phone or email.