Rut Mountain Runs

The real Mountain G.O.A.T was keeping an eye on Rut Runners today. And we had an eagle in the sky to capture it. Mountain Runners... @bigskyresort awaits when you're ready for a real mountain run. #runtherut #neverstopexploring

🏔️ Missoula Run & Restore Community Night | May 20th | "M" Trailhead This year we're trying something new, and we need your help. We're hosting a trail work night on Montana's most iconic trail, the M Trail on Mt. Sentinel. With all the love this trail gets, the lower section is due for some restoration, and we're partnering with Friends of the 'M' Trail to make it happen. We'll follow the trail work with group runs (flat or steep options available), shoe demos from @thenorthface_trail and cap the night off with pizza, drinks from @bigskybrewing and a raffle. Oh, and the first 50 people to show up for trail work get a free pair of @darntoughvermont socks. Tough socks for tough trail builders. 🧦 📅 Wednesday, May 20th 📍 "M" Trailhead, Missoula 4:15–5:30 | Trail Stewardship 5:30–6:00 | Shoe demos + partner booths 6:00–7:00 | Group Runs 7:00–8:00 | Pizza, Drinks & Raffle This event is FREE and open to everyone, Rut runner or not. But we do need you to sign up so we can plan accordingly. We hope you’ll join us! Details and link to register in bio.

4 MONTHS TO GO! Strength Training with Coach Bailey from @mountainprojectmt It's simple, do these exercises 1-2 times per week. And you'll be stronger, more injury resistant and even more ready for your time on the trails at The Rut! Be sure to check out the programs and expert advice offered by The Mountain Project if you want to incorporate strength and conditioning into your weekly training and RUT preparation. #runtherut

🏔️ Missoula Run & Restore Community Night | May 20th | "M" Trailhead This year we're trying something new, and we need your help. We're hosting a trail work night on Montana's most iconic trail, the M Trail on Mt. Sentinel. With all the love this trail gets, the lower section is due for some restoration, and we're partnering with Friends of the 'M' Trail to make it happen. We'll follow the trail work with group runs (flat or steep options available), shoe demos from @thenorthface_trail and cap the night off with pizza, drinks from @bigskybrewing and a raffle. Oh, and the first 50 people to show up for trail work get a free pair of @darntoughvermont socks. Tough socks for tough trail builders. 🧦 📅 Wednesday, May 20th 📍 "M" Trailhead, Missoula 4:15–5:30 | Trail Stewardship 5:30–6:00 | Shoe demos + partner booths 6:00–7:00 | Group Runs 7:00–8:00 | Pizza, Drinks & Raffle This event is FREE and open to everyone, Rut runner or not. But we do need you to sign up so we can plan accordingly. We hope you’ll join us! Details and link to register in bio.

We want to hear from you! Last week we launched The Rut Grants, designed to give back to the people and places that sustain the sport of trail running - beyond racing. We’ve committed $8,000 in this inaugural year, and our partners at @thenorthface_trail have generously matched it, bringing the total grant pool to $16,000! Grants will range from $500 to $3,500. What do the grants fund? Think trail stewardship, creative storytelling, youth programs, and expanding access to the sport. Please share this with individuals and organizations helping shape the future of trail running. Details via our link in bio. Applications close May 20.

We're thrilled to announce that registration for the 2026 Rut Volunteer is now open! The Rut would not be possible without the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers who join us in Big Sky each year. From assisting with packet pick up, sweeping the course, helping at aid stations, and even handing out finish line medals, there are countless ways for our community to come together and cheer on the thousands of Rut runners as they chase their dreams. As a token of our gratitude, every 2026 Rut volunteer will receive: 👉Priority registration for the 2027 Rut Mountain Runs, giving you early access before it opens to the public. 👉A stylish 2025 Rut Volunteer T-shirt to commemorate your participation. 👉Grab-and-go food options to keep you well fueled for the job. 👉A scenic lift ride pass for Big Sky Resort lifts, 👉A complimentary beverage from Big Sky Brewing 👉The priceless experience of supporting and celebrating Rut runners as they chase their potential up, down, and around Lone Peak. Head to the link in bio to see all available roles and sign up! And THANK YOU in advance to all our amazing volunteers!

Without a strong community or healthy landscapes, the Rut wouldn’t exist. Period. With that in mind, we’re thrilled to launch The Rut Grants, designed to give back to the people and places that sustain the sport of trail running - beyond racing. We’ve committed $8,000 in this inaugural year, and our partners at @thenorthface_trail have generously matched it, bringing the total grant pool to $16,000! Grants will range from $500 to $3,500. What do the grants fund? Think trail stewardship, creative storytelling, youth programs, and expanding access to the sport. Please share this with individuals and organizations helping shape the future of trail running. Details via our link in bio. Applications close May 20.

It's only 5 months to go until The Rut 2026! @alpinerunningguides head of stoke and performance @forrestboughner has some advice for you, our Rut Runners. In summary, start Rut Training Now and be mindful of your tendons! Don't forget to touch base with our Rut Partners @mountainprojectmt and @alpinerunningguides if you need any help getting 110% ready for The Rut this September. The count down is on. Get to it! #runtherut

It's only 6 months to go until The Rut 2026! @klairetrhodes & @tracenknopp are our @thenorthface_trail athletes and experts on the ground in Anchorage, Alaska with the latest in scientific peer reviewed advice on starting your Rut Training Now! Don't forget to touch base with our Rut Partners @mountainprojectmt and @alpinerunningguides if you need any help getting 110% ready for The Rut this September. The count down is on. Get to it! #runtherut

We're thrilled to welcome Trust for Public Lands @trustforpublicland as our newest Rut partner. While it’s only become official in 2026, we have long admired the work of TPL in ensuring that lands and trails remain protected and accessible for all. To date, they’ve helped protect more than 1 million acres of public land across Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, supporting the places that make running, biking, hunting, fishing, skiing, and quiet moments outdoors possible. If you see the Northern Rockies Director, David Weinstein (picture #5) or another TPL team member along the course this September, be sure to ask them about any of the following: •⁠ ⁠TPL’s vision for the Yellowstone Heritage Trail, a 56-mile trail connecting Livingston to Yellowstone’s North Entrance through Paradise Valley •⁠ ⁠Their work alongside Tribal and Indigenous communities on parks, trails, and schoolyards across the Northern Rockies •⁠ ⁠Why public lands matter for wildlife, local economies, and the health of communities in Montana and beyond We’re proud to have TPL alongside us, helping keep these landscapes accessible, connected, and cared for. Learn more at @trustforpublicland

We’re excited to share that we’re hiring a new year-round Operations & Events Coordinator to join our small team. As our events and community continue to grow, we’re looking for someone who can help support the behind-the-scenes work that makes race weekends, communications, and logistics run smoothly. This is a part-time role with real ownership and meaningful room to grow over time with the right person. If you or someone you know is highly organized, proactive, and interested in event operations, project coordination, and community-focused outdoor work, we’d love for you to take a look. The full job description, responsibilities, and application details are available at the link in our bio. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until February 8th.

Registration opens tomorrow for the second annual Marshall Mountain Revival Trail Runs, happening in Missoula on May 16th! Last year’s inaugural event exceeded our expectations, and we’re excited to bring it back for another spring celebration on the trails. We’ll once again offer the team relay and 25K, both featuring a choose-your-own-adventure format where runners complete three loops in the order of their choosing. If you’re looking for something a bit simpler, the Moose 5 Mile is a great option.  There’s no better time to be out there than mid-May, when the hills are greening up, and the wildflowers are just starting to pop. Registration opens tomorrow, and we’d love to see you out there.