RACE GUIDE
Half Marathon • June 27, 2026
SCHEDULE
Friday
JUNE 26, 2026
5:15 PM
RUNNERS PARKED
5:30 PM
RUNNERS GATHER AT EXPO AREA
5:45 PM
RUNNERS ARE WALKED TO START LINE AREA ON IRIS ST.
6:00 PM
5k RACE START
6:45 PM
AWARDS CEREMONY
11:00 AM
Campground check-in opens
12:00 PM
Race Expo & Merch Tent opens
4:00 PM
Native Presentation
5:00 PM
Race Expo & Merch tent closes
6:00 PM
Bib pick-up ends
7:00 PM
Campground check-in closes
Pre-race
EXPO
EXPO PARKING
There will be plenty of parking available near the expo, but please arrive early to avoid any rush. The expo will be held at the Red Eagle Campground located at the south tip of Lower Two Medicine Lake. You can access the expo by taking Two Medicine Area Road off of Mt-49.
REMINDER: All Vacation Races events are cup-free and runners must either opt-in for a reusable cup at registration or bring their own handheld, cup or hydration bladder. A limited number of reusable cups will be available for purchase at the Merchandise booth at the race expo. For the safety and enjoyment of all participants, please DO NOT drink directly from the water jugs.
VOLUNTEER
We’re looking for fantastic volunteers to join the fun during race weekend! It’s the perfect way for your friends and family to get in on the action without running. Volunteer shifts are open for the expo and race days and come with some pretty sweet perks: up to $100 off a future Vacation Races event!
Race credits vary by role, are transferable (yep, you can use theirs!), and can even be combined. So rally your crew, whether they love the energy of race day or want to hang out in a beautiful place with a purpose. It’s a great way to give back to the community, support you, be part of the adventures, and maybe even earn your next race for free. Sign up to volunteer below.
VR CAMPGROUND
The most convenient (and most fun) place to stay during race weekend is the Vacation Races Campground. You can sleep in your car, tent, hammock, or RV (no hookups), or rent a tent for an additional fee. There will be toilets and potable water available for campers, but no showers. All campers must reserve a spot. Campsites do not include sleeping gear, cooking supplies, or firewood. There is no shuttle service from the campground to the start or finish.
CHECK-IN
THURSDAY 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
FRIDAY 11:00 AM - 7:00 pm
*If arriving late on Thursday or Friday, please find an available campsite for the evening and check in with the campground host at the office near the main entrance the next morning.
CHECKOUT
SUNDAY BY 9:00 AM
(All rented tents must be returned by this time)
Join us for a
PASTA PARTY
Kick off your Yosemite Half Marathon weekend with a laid-back carb-loading party at Miller’s Landing. Enjoy a hearty spread of pasta, sides, and drinks while soaking up live music, yard games, and good vibes with fellow runners. It’s the perfect way to fuel up, connect, and get race-ready.
Please note space is limited. Call to reserve your spot: 559-642-3633
Friday, May 8th
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Miller’s Landing, 37976 Road 222, South Shore, Bass Lake
Adults $20 | Kids $10 (12 & under)
RACE MORNING
Race Morning
Getting to the
START LINE
PARKING
THERE IS NO PARKING OR DROP-OFF AT THE START LINE.
All runners will need to park or be dropped off at Charging Home Stampede Park, located northwest of Highway 89 next to Glacier Peaks Casino in Browning, MT, and walk to the shuttle loading area. All parking and drop-off traffic should turn north onto Cemetery Road off Highway 89.
We will have plenty of parking to accommodate all of our runners. However, parking will not be available at the start or finish lines. All runners must be shuttled to the start line. Please note that NO DOGS are allowed on the shuttles. Strollers are allowed on the shuttles for spectators.
We will have coffee and hot chocolate, as well as early raffle prizes, available at the start line in the morning. Shuttles will run after the race to transport runners from the finish line back to their vehicles at Charging Home Stampede Park.
GLACIER SHUTTLE DETAILS
4:00 AM
Parking Lots Open
4:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Start Line Shuttles Run
6:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Return Service to and from the Finish Line
Getting to the
STARTING LINE
PARKING
THERE IS NO PARKING OR DROP-OFF AT THE START LINE.
All runners will need to be both shuttled to the start and back from the finish line. To reach the start line, all runners will park and load shuttles based on their location and their estimated departure time. Please be on time and error on the side of being early.
RUNNER DROP-OFF
If you are dropping a runner off, please drop them off at the Evangelical Free Church shuttle stop, where they will board the shuttle.
OAKHURST SHUTTLE DETAILS
4:00 AM
Parking Lots Open
4:20 - 6:40 AM
Start Line shuttles run
8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Return Service to and from the finish line
OAKHURST ELEMENTARY SHUTTLE STOP (OPEN TO ALL RUNNERS & SPECTATORS)
You may park in one of these available lots and then walk to shuttle pickup at Oakhurst Elementary School (See Map).
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Oakhurst Elementary School Lot
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First Baptist Church
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Dirt Lot next to Baptist Church
You may also park on School Road and the surrounding streets. (Please do not block any driveway, fire hydrants, or bike lanes.)YOSEMITE HIGH SCHOOL SHUTTLE STOP (OPEN TO ALL RUNNERS & SPECTATORS)
You may park in the designated high school lots, on School Road and the surrounding streets as well as in the Evangelical Free Church parking lot.
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FAIRFIELD INN SHUTTLE STOP (WALKING DISTANCE ONLY)
Runners staying at the Fairfield Inn or nearby may walk over and take the shuttles located in front of the hotel. Other hotels within walking distance include: Hampton Inn Express, Holiday Inn, Best Western, Yosemite Southgate Hotel, and more. This is a shuttle pickup only and does NOT have event parking. It is intended just for runners staying in the immediate area.
BASS LAKE AREA SHUTTLE DETAILS
VR Campground (Rec Point), Miller’s Landing, The Pines, and The Forks
4:00 AM
Parking Lots Open
4:20 AM
Start Line shuttle departure
*This will be the only departure time
8:00 AM
Shuttle return service
*Runner drop-off only from the finish line;
no spectator return services to these locations.
These stops are meant to service participants that will be staying at or near these locations.
Please note there is NO PARKING at Rec Point on the morning of the race.
There will only be one shuttle departure time for each of these locations. The shuttle service to the start line loading at 4:00 am and leaving at 4:20 am sharp. If participants miss the 4:20 am shuttle departure at these locations, they will then need to drive to one of the three Oakhurst locations, park and catch a later shuttle.
There will be service back to these locations from the finish line. For the return, there will be a regularly running boat shuttle across the lake to take participants back to Miller’s Landing. Runners will be able to take either a boat or shuttle bus back to The Forks. A shuttle bus will be running to the Pines. Please confirm transportation to the start line and back from the finish line when you check in at these specific places.
There will be no spectator shuttle service from any Bass Lake locations. Spectators will need to find their own way to and from the finish line to cheer for their runners.
ON THE COURSE
On The Course
START LINE
The race will kick off at 6:00 am about 1.3 miles east of Kiowa, MT, on Highway 89. Before we begin with a wave start, you can enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, and early raffle prizes available at the start line in the morning. Please remember that there is absolutely no parking or drop-off at the start line; all runners must arrive via the provided shuttles.
Race morning bib pick-up will be available at the shuttle parking lot prior to boarding. We recommend arriving early to allow enough time to pick up your bib, board the shuttle, and get settled before the start of the race.
Course
INFORMATION
The race begins about 1.3 miles east of the community of Kiowa, Montana, on Highway 89. The course is almost entirely paved, with only a few short sections on grass. As runners pass through Kiowa, pronounced Ky-O-Wuh, they will begin a steady climb of nearly 900 feet up Looking Glass Hill. It is a challenging section of the course, but runners will be rewarded with beautiful views of Glacier National Park and the surrounding prairie landscape.
From mile 5 to mile 10, the course runs downhill while enjoying stunning views of Lower Two Medicine Lake. The last portion has a series of hill climbs and drops where runners will finish on the front lawn of the Glacier Park Lodge. The course will be well-marked, but you are responsible for staying alert. You’ll be running on the right side of the road (your right), with traffic. Oncoming cars will be on your left. Please stay to the right and be courteous to both vehicles and other runners. DO NOT step off the course into traffic; you will be disqualified. We want you to stay safe.
The race starts at approximately 5,000 feet and climbs steadily through the first half of the course, reaching its high point at 5,980 feet near mile 5. From there, runners descend more than 900 feet toward the finish. The course has a total elevation gain of 1,230 feet.
We will have pacers assigned to several goal finishing times. These pacers will help to organize waves and maintain the assigned pace associated with that wave of runners. We will have pacers for the following goal times: 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00, 3:30 and sweeper. Please organize yourselves according to your predicted finish time.
We will have aid stations near miles 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Each aid station will have bathrooms, water (blue coolers), electrolyte drink (red coolers), and Honey Stinger energy gels. Miles 5 and 7 will also have oranges and bananas. Trash cans will be set up at all of these aid stations.
REMINDER that all aid stations are cup free. Please remember your own cup, bladder or handheld water bottle. Drinking directly from the water jugs is prohibited.
Please use these to discard fruit peels, Honey Stinger pouches, and any other trash accumulated along the way. Do not discard trash at mile markers, on cones, or anywhere else throughout the course other than in these designated aid station trash cans.All runners will have 4 hours to finish the race. That is an 18.5-minute mile. Plenty of time for walkers! If, at any time, we deem it unsafe and need to pull a runner off the course, we would appreciate understanding and immediate cooperation. Failure to comply will result in being banned from future events.
While the course is technically navigable for strollers and wheelchair athletes, it would be a very difficult challenge for athletes trying to navigate with wheels. We would discourage strollers on-course and would make special accommodation for wheelchair athletes. Please note that there are some extended sections that navigate over grass, which may require consideration as it relates to the wheels on a stroller or wheelchair.
Gear check bags will be available at the start line. You may use one of the provided white plastic bags for any items you would like transported to the finish line. Permanent markers will be available so you can label your bag with your name and bib number. Please do not place valuables in your gear check bag.
Clothing Drop Information (Mile 3 Aid Station)
At the aid station near Mile 3, there will be a clothing drop bin where you may leave items you no longer wish to carry. After the final runner passes, all clothing will be transported to the finish area.
PLEASE NOTE if you are a faster finisher, there will be a wait before that clothing arrives. Any unclaimed items will be donated, so we recommend only dropping clothing you are comfortable leaving behind if you do not want to wait.
Items found elsewhere on the course will not be collected or returned and remain the responsibility of the runner. Please help keep the course clean — NO LITTERING.
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Spectator Information
SPECTATORS
Unfortunately, this is not a very spectator-friendly course. Spectators are encouraged to shuttle to the finish line to cheer on all our runners.
DO NOT park at the Glacier Park Lodge, and please avoid parking along the street in residential areas. For spectators staying in Browning, shuttles (located at the same place as the runners) will be available for transportation to the finish line, starting at 6:30 am.
NOTE The finish line chute is reserved for runners only. We ask that spectators, family, and friends remain outside this finish chute and leave post-race food and recovery items for participants.
CAMPGROUND SPECTATORS
For spectators staying at the Red Eagle Campground who plan to support their runner at the finish line, you must catch a shuttle from Charging Home Stampede Park. Please note that you must leave the campground by 6am! Looking Glass Road will be closed to one-way traffic for the race, making it impossible to drive from the campground down to the finish line.
You will be able to drive back to the campground after retrieving your vehicle from the Charging Home Stampede Park, but you should expect delays. We are sorry for the inconvenience. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding, as our runners’ experience and safety is our primary concern.
SPECTATOR PARKING
We will have plenty of parking to accommodate spectators at the shuttle location in Browning. It is important to note that parking will not be available at the start or finish lines. For the best experience, spectators should plan on shuttling to the start line. Shuttle parking is located in Browning, MT at the Charging Home Stampede Park. Spectator shuttles will begin running once all runners have been taken to the start line, around 6:30am. Please DO NOT board a shuttle to the start line.
REMINDER THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PARKING OR DROP-OFF AT THE START LINE.
Starting at 6:30am, shuttles will be running regularly to transport spectators to the finish line and runners and spectators from the finish line back to their vehicles at Charging Home Stampede Park.
Spectators staying in and around East Glacier Park are welcome to walk to the finish line area from their lodging.
VOLUNTEER
We can’t put on a race without our amazing volunteers. Whether you are a spectator along for the trip or a family member that is not running the race, we encourage you to volunteer.
Helping out at the race is a meaningful way to pass the time, and you can earn a discount toward a future vacation race (or pass the discount along to your runner friends). Volunteers can help out at the expo or on race day. Sign up online or check to see what positions are available at the expo on Friday. We love our volunteers!
REP THE MERCH
We will have various options to commemorate your race day accomplishment! Beach hoodies, t-shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, water bottles, stickers, hats, and bags will all be available to browse and buy! In addition to the expo, the merchandise tent will be set up after the race near the finish line.
Leftover merchandise can be purchased online here after the event.
Runners can also take home exclusive 2026 Glacier artwork from RowdyLegends by visiting the expo, finish line, or by ordering online through RowdyLegends.
POST RACE
Post Race
Post-Race
INFORMATION
Our on-course and finish-line moments will be captured by our official photography partner, FinisherPix. You’ll spot signs or flags along the course letting you know a camera zone is coming up. That’s your cue to straighten up, wipe your face, surge past someone, or serve your best race-day look. Your personalized race photos will be available for purchase and are typically uploaded within a week after the event. Once they’re live, we’ll send all runners an email with the link.
PRO TIP Wear your bib on the front of your body and keep it visible throughout the race. Bibs worn on legs, backs, or under layers often don’t get picked up by the cameras.We have teamed up with Brooksee’s innovative tracking system to ensure that your friends and family can follow your race in real time—no phone or watch needed! Timing readers are placed along the course (at least one per mile), updating your location every 8 to 10 minutes or more frequently. Brooksee estimates your position between checkpoints based on pacing data, providing accurate, real-time updates and predicted finish times.
TRACKING IS SIMPLE Spectators can follow your progress here.Want text updates? Supporters can opt-in for free text notifications when you reach key points along the course.
Race results can be found here after the event. Please note that the results are not official until all runners have crossed the finish line. Since our age group winners are determined by chip time, it’s possible to finish before someone else in your age group while still having a slower overall time than they do. Masters and overall awards are based on gun time—top competitors should start at the front. Age division and team awards are based on chip time; your time will not start until you cross the start line. If you start toward the back, expect a delay before crossing the start line; please be courteous as the race begins.
Once the race begins, shuttles will start taking spectators to the finish line and runners & spectators back to their vehicles at Charging Home Stampede Park. Please note that the last shuttle will depart from the finish line at 11am. We will not release the last shuttle until after the final runner crosses the finish line. If you miss the last shuttle departure from the finish line, you will be responsible for finding your way back to your vehicle in Browning.
Never forget how hard you trained for this.
You worked hard for your seconds. You trained on cold Tuesday mornings, endured the inconvenience of consistency, and traded your comfort for the finish line.
Make It Personal exists for these seconds that shaped you. Your time, precision engraved on 100% anodised aluminium. 100% compatible with every race medal.
You can pre-order before race day and get your iTAB sent to you automatically after you finish. If you missed out, you can still order online later.Don’t Just Finish - Recover Like a Pro
Crossing the finish line is only half the battle; the real work starts with the recovery. We are thrilled to have Mobile IV onsite as an official recovery partner at this year’s half marathon. Whether prepping for the race with an IV at the Expo or meeting them at the Finish Line to refuel, theyll’ be there to get you back on your feet faster.
Book here and lock in your recovery now for just $95 and skip the $109 race-day rate. Compression boot treatments for $15 for 20 minute sessions. All IV clients will also receive a FREE compression boot treatment! Your muscles will thank you.
Please also include a mention about Mobile IV in the Pre-Race Expo section with a link to Book an IV early!
Lost and found items can be found at the Merchandise Booth. If you have lost an item, please submit a request here. We will hold onto lost items and unclaimed gear check bags for one week only, so be sure to reach out as soon as possible.
A bin for extra clothing will be available at the first aid station. Again, this is the only official clothing drop and any clothing left scattered along the course will be considered trash which may be discarded or donated. Unclaimed clothing from the mile 3 drop will be donated immediately after the race.
The medical area at the finish line is for athletes only; family members are not allowed. Overcrowding prevents medical staff from doing their jobs. If you need information on an athlete receiving medical attention, please wait outside the area for updates.
Finisher medals will be awarded to all the top five runners in each of the following age groups will receive a place medal: 11 and younger, 12-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and 75 and older. At this time, we do not offer awards for non-binary age groups. We will have an Awards Ceremony at 9:45 am. If you are not around for the ceremony, your top finisher award can be mailed to you with a shipping fee of $15.
Additionally, the top 3 female, male and non-binary overall finishers and top 3 masters female and male finishers overall will be given a custom award from our partners at RowdyLegends. Runners can take home their own custom 2026 Glacier artwork from RowdyLegends by visiting their booth at the expo, finish line, or by ordering online.
Glacier Half Marathon
COURSE RECORDS
Course record holders are rewarded with a complimentary race entry every year if their record time is unbeaten. We currently do not have non-binary course record for this race.
GLACIER | Overall Male | Glen Burkhardt | 1:12:34 | 2019 |
GLACIER | Overall Female | Nicole Esplin | 1:27:32 | 2022 |
GLACIER | Overall Non-binary | N/A | N/A | N/A |
GLACIER | Masters Female | Kris Rostas | 1:40:23 | 2022 |
GLACIER | Masters Male | Brian Suttle | 1:24:06 | 2019 |
GLACIER | Masters Non-binary | N/A | N/A | N/A |
EXPERIENCES
Experiences
BOOK YOUR GLACIER WEEKEND STAY WITH HOTELPLANNER
You’re officially in for GLACIER Half Marathon— now lock in your race weekend home base. HotelPlanner is our official lodging partner, offering exclusive rates for runners, friends, and family, plus 24/7 support if plans change. The page is set up with race weekend dates and lodging near the Expo, Start Line, and Finish Line.
MONTANA WHITE WATER
Make the most of your Yellowstone race weekend with a little extra adventure.
We’ve partnered with Montana Whitewater to offer runners 10% off whitewater rafting and outdoor experiences during race weekend. Whether you're looking to celebrate post-race or explore the area in a new way, it’s the perfect add-on to your trip.
Use code
RACE10
when booking to save.
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VIEWS & SIGHTS
FAQS
Yes. There will be a bib pick up tent near the shuttle stop at Charging Home Stampede Park. Please pick-up your bib before boarding the shuttle to the start line. It will open at 4:15am race morning.
Yes. Someone else may pick up your race packet for you as long as they have a photo of your ID. We also recommend forwarding your confirmation email to the person picking up your bib to help make the process as smooth as possible.
Dogs are a liability that our insurance does not cover. No dogs are allowed on the course or on the shuttle buses. If spectators bring dogs to the finish line, they will not be allowed to board the return shuttles and their runner will risk being disqualified.
While the course is technically navigable for strollers and wheelchair athletes, it would be a very difficult challenge for athletes trying to navigate with wheels. We would discourage strollers on-course and would make special accommodation for wheelchair athletes. Please note that there are some extended sections that navigate over grass, which may require consideration as it relates to the wheels on a stroller or wheelchair.
There is no parking or drop-off at the start line. All runners will need to be both shuttled to the start and back from the finish line. To reach the start line, all runners will park and load shuttles from Charging Home Stampede Park. Please be on time and error on the side of being early.
After the race, shuttles will transport runners from the finish line in East Glacier Park Village back to the parking lot in Browning.
Yes, but not until after the race. We have pre-order race shirts based on the sizing requests during registration. In order to make sure that all participants can get the size that they originally requested, we don’t offer exchanges until post-race at the finish line area.
Runners may defer their 2026 registration up to 2 weeks prior to the event. The deferral deadline for this event is June 13, 2026. No exceptions will be made after this deadline.
Upon registration for the 2027 event, you will be required to pay 50% of the current 2027 registration price.
You can transfer your race entry to another person online until the Wednesday before the event or in person at the expo. The original runner pays a $30 transfer fee. Only the race entry transfers; add-ons, such as merchandise or photos, do not, and these are non-refundable. The new runner will pay the current race price. No refunds are given for shipped items. If the new runner doesn’t complete their registration, no refund will be issued.
Registration fees are non-refundable unless you purchased Refund Protect during registration and your reason for canceling qualifies under their coverage.
If an event must be canceled due to emergency circumstances, including but not limited to severe weather, public health concerns, natural disasters, or safety threats, refunds cannot be provided unless covered through Refund Protect.
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