Whitefish Trail Blazer
About this race
October 3-4, 2026
The Whitefish Trail Blazer Presented by Flathead Running Company
A weekend of premiere Montana trail running benefitting Whitefish Legacy Partners and the Whitefish Trail
A distance for everyone!
On Saturday, the Blazer 50k ultramarathon challenges racers with over 6,300 feet of elevation gain across approximately 31 miles of single and double-track trails, including ascents to the summit of Big Mountain. Come test your grit on the best trails in Northwest Montana. *Race course is currently under US Forest Service analysis for term special use permit.
Sunday's events include a half marathon, 10k+, 5k+, and family fun run. These courses explore the scenic Beaver Lakes area of the Whitefish Trail starting and ending at the new Whitefish Legacy Center and featuring varying elevation gains to accommodate different fitness levels. Participants receive prizes, nutrition products, and locally-made awards for top finishers. Post-race celebrations include lunch, beer and non-alcoholic beverages.
Registration for Half Marathon, 10k, 5k & fun run will close at 11:59pm on Saturday October 3rd- there will be no day-of registration. No pets allowed on racecourse. Registration for 50k will close at 11:59pm on Friday October 2nd- there will be no day-of registration. No pets allowed on racecourse.
Pick your distance
Running
Blazer 50k
Our epic 50k course! 30+ miles of single and double track trails, with over 6300' of elevation gain along with huckleberry-lined trails, views of Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake, technical ascents, and quad-busting descents! Post Race Party + Awards: A catered meal and beverages (beer and non-alcoholic options) will be provided at the finish celebration. Awards will be given to top 5 overall runners for male and females. No age group awards will be given. All runners will also receive custom prizes and sports nutrition products. Course Aid Stations: The 50k course has 4 fully-stocked aid stations at approximately miles 4.5, 10, 18, and 26.3. There are 3 water-only aid stations at miles 13, 23, and 28.1. Fully-stocked aid stations will provide water, sports drinks, gels, electrolytes, fruit, chips, cookies, candy, and other snacks. Warm broth may be served at the summit aid station at mile 4.5 and the start/finish at miles 10 and 26.3 if the weather forecast looks cold.
Virtual Race Option - 50k
New this year! Sign up and run the race on your own! Submit your results, and receive your custom race buff (mailed after 10/05/25). *Please note that virtual racers should obey any and all trail restrictions/rules, and understanding that they are responsible for their own aid, safety, and well-being*
Virtual Race Option - Half Marathon
New this year! Sign up and run the race on your own! Submit your results, and receive your custom race buff (mailed after 10/05/25). *Please note that virtual racers should obey any and all trail restrictions/rules, and understanding that they are responsible for their own aid, safety, and well-being*
Virtual Race Option - 10k+
New this year! Sign up and run the race on your own! Submit your results, and receive your custom race buff (mailed after 10/05/25). *Please note that virtual racers should obey any and all trail restrictions/rules, and understanding that they are responsible for their own aid, safety, and well-being*
Virtual Race Option - 5k+
New this year! Sign up and run the race on your own! Submit your results, and receive your custom race buff (mailed after 10/05/25). *Please note that virtual racers should obey any and all trail restrictions/rules, and understanding that they are responsible for their own aid, safety, and well-being*
Virtual Race Option - Fun Run
New this year! Sign up and run the race on your own! Submit your results, and receive your custom race buff (mailed after 10/05/25). *Please note that virtual racers should obey any and all trail restrictions/rules, and understanding that they are responsible for their own aid, safety, and well-being*
Blazer Half Marathon
The Half Marathon will explore protected lands and scenic lakes in the Beaver Lakes area of the Whitefish Trail. Starting at the Whitefish Legacy Center, runners will explore single track around Rainbow Lake, Woods Lake, Dollar Lake, Little Beaver Lake. The half marathon course has a total elevation gain of around 2,000 feet. Final course and start times subject to change. All runners will receive FREE food and beverages, custom finisher prizes, and sports nutrition products. Awards will be given to top finishers. No age group awards will be given.
Blazer 10k+
The 10k will start and finish at the Whitefish Legacy Center and will take runners to the shore of Beaver Lake on the Whitefish Trail. This course has some sections of dirt roads. Total elevation gain for the 10k is around 750 feet. Final course and start times subject to change. All runners will receive FREE food and beverages, custom finisher prizes, and sports nutrition products. Awards will be given to top finishers. No age group awards will be given.
Blazer 5k+
The 5k+ will start and end at the Whitefish Legacy Center and will explore single-track on the South Beaver loop. This course is slightly longer than 5k at ~3.4 miles. Elevation gain for the 5k+ is approximately 500 feet. Final course and start times subject to change. All runners will receive FREE food and beverages, custom finisher prizes, and sports nutrition products. Awards will be given to top finishers. No age group awards will be given.
Blazer Family Fun Run
The family-fun run will start and end at the Whitefish Legacy Center, exploring the Whitefish Trail and dirt forest access roads. This elevation gain for this 2-mile loop is approximately 250 feet. Final course and start times subject to change. All runners will receive FREE food and beverages, custom finisher prizes, and sports nutrition products. Awards will be given to top finishers. No age group awards will be given.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 16 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Whitefish, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 7:40 AM and sets at 7:12 PM local time (MDT) in Whitefish on October 3, 2026 — 11h 32m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
Reviews
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Results — Whitefish Trail Blazer
Other races near Whitefish
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Whitefish Turkey Trot
Hot Pursuit Kalispell
Harvestfest 5k
West Valley School Boo Dash Fun Run
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Whitefish
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Whitefish 5K Races 5 races
- Whitefish Half Marathons 2 races
- Whitefish Running Calendar 2026 7 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 10 Whitefish events
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