RACE GUIDE
Half Marathon • 5K• June 12-13, 2026
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY / 5K
JUNE 12, 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
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
RACE EXPO & BIB PICKUP (5K PARTICIPANTS SHOULD PICK UP BIB BY NO LATER THAN 5PM)
5:15 PM
5K RUNNERS PARKED
5:30 PM
5K RUNNERS GATHER AT EXPO AREA
5:45 PM
5K RUNNERS ARE WALKED TO START LINE ON IRIS ST.
6:00 PM
5K RACE START
6:45 PM
AWARDS CEREMONY
Pre-race
EXPO
FRIDAY, JUNE, 12 2026
Race Expo Hours 12:00 pm-5:00 pm
Merch Tent Hours 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Bib Pick Up Hours 12:00pm - 6:00 pm
Mobile IV will be onsite as an official recovery partner at this year’s half marathon. You can prep for the race with an IV at the Expo or meet them at the Finish Line. Book here to LOCK IN YOUR DISCOUNTED rate.
*We cannot accommodate runners before 12:00 pm
BYOB: Our expo is bag-free, so don’t forget to Bring Your Own Bag!
Cup-Free Racing
IMPORTANT This is a cup-free event! There will be no disposable cups on the course.
If you opted to purchase a reusable cup during registration, you will pick it up along with your bib and race shirt. Otherwise, please plan to bring your own reusable cup, pack or bottle. We will have a limited supply of reusable cups for sale at the Merchandise booth.
Please DO NOT drink directly from the water or hydration jugs or water monster.
At each aid station, you have the choice between water (in the BLUE COOLERS) and Neuma electrolyte drink (in the RED COOLERS).
THE OPEN LOT ON IRIS ST. IN WEST YELLOWSTONE, MT, near the intersection with Old Airport Road will host all of our events this weekend—the prerace expo, bib pick-up, and the site of both the start line staging area and the actual finish line for both the 5K and half marathon races.
There will be plenty of parking available at the expo, but please arrive early to avoid any rush. You can even walk from many of the hotels in town!
Camping in the parking lot is NOT allowed.
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 here.
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)
Challenge
EVENTS
What are the DOUBLES AND QUADS
During the month of June we host four races on back-to-back weekends:
Weekend 1
June 5-6, 2026
Grand Teton Half Marathon + Grand Teton 5K
Weekend 2
June 12-13, 2026
Yellowstone Half Marathon + Yellowstone 5K
These races showcase the incredible beauty of Wyoming and Montana AND they are driving distance to each other! To give our runners an extra challenge (and an opportunity to keep exploring the parks), we've created a series of combination events. Our intrepid Double and Quad runners commit to running either a 5K + Half Marathon, 2 Half Marathons, or all 4 races in the span of one week!
RACE MORNING
Race Morning
Getting to the
START LINE
PARKING
There is plenty of parking near the start/finish line area. Runners can stay huddled in their vehicles or come over and enjoy coffee/hot chocolate and participate in the prerace raffles while experiencing the music and energy of race morning.
If you are dropping a runner off, please enter the runner drop-off zone adjacent to the rows of parking just off of Iris St. Drop off your runner quickly and remerge into traffic moving south. Take the first left to loop back around toward the Medal of Honor Highway.
This pattern will prevent the fighting of traffic trying to enter the parking area which would create slow downs and traffic jams. Please refer to the visual for more clarity:
Getting to the
START LINE
RUNNER DROP-OFF &
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
Course
INFORMATION
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
This beautiful course will give you a chance to work your legs out and enjoy a run with friends and family. The race starts near the intersection of Iris St and Yellowstone Ave (a short walk from the expo area). Runners will take an almost immediate left onto Yellowstone Ave and then run the first mile through town. Runners will then jump onto the forest service roads and run through the woods before returning to the finish line near the expo area.
There will be one aid station on the course near the halfway point (mile 1.5). The aid station will have water, Neuma hydration, and bathrooms.
THIS IS A CUPLESS RACE, SO RUNNERS MUST PURCHASE A REUSABLE CUP OR BRING THEIR OWN HYDRATION SYSTEMS. RUNNERS SHOULD NOT DRINK DIRECTLY FROM THE WATER JUGS AND MAY BE PENALIZED FOR DOING SO.
A wave start will help us organize the race and prevent overcrowding on the course. We will have signs with mile pacing times on them (ex. 8 min/mile pace, 9 min/mile pace, etc.)
We ask you to line up in grouping according to your approximate average pacing. Overall awards competitors should toe the line as these awards are given based on gun time.
Age division medals will be awarded based on chip time. If you are a slower runner or are not competing for awards, please be willing to start near the back.
At the finish line, we will be handing out a food bag (full of recovery snacks), bananas, and chocolate milk. Water and Neuma hydration will also be available.
Please respect the limit of one food box, one chocolate milk, and one banana per runner. To reduce waste, we will provide a designated area for trading or leaving any unwanted snack items.
SPECTATOR PARKING
Spectator Parking
Because the course is mostly off the main road, it isn’t a very spectator-friendly course.
Spectators are welcome at the start line and the finish line. Another good place to cheer on your runner is at about mile 2.5. This is just a short walk from the race parking lot on Iris St. over to where runners will be coming up the road (where Iris St. ends) before turning to run deeper into the trees. Spectators are encouraged to be at the finish line to cheer on all our runners.
No vehicles are allowed on the course, apart from aid station crew and emergency vehicles. Deciding you don’t want to run anymore is not an emergency.
Note: The finish area is for runners only. Please do not enter this area or take food reserved for runners.
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, bags, and posters 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 Yellowstone poster artwork from RowdyLegends by visiting their booth at the expo, at the finish line, or by ordering online through RowdyLegends.
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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 Laurel'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. Laurel 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.
Our partner, iTab, provides custom-engraved plates with your name and finishing time that clip onto your medal ribbon. You can pre-order before race day; they will be sent to you automatically after you finish. If you missed out, you can still order one later. They cost just $15, including shipping, and can be ordered here.
Lost and found items will be held 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.
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, they'll 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.
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.
There will be finisher medals for everyone who finishes the race. Overall placer medals will be given to top 5 male, female and non-binary runners overall, as well as the top 5 male and female Masters 40+ group. Additionally, the top 5 in each of the following age groups will also 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, 75 and older.
Please note that we cannot award place medals before the official ceremony. If you need to leave before the awards ceremony, we can mail you your award after the event for a shipping fee.
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 Yellowstone artwork from RowdyLegends by visiting their booth at the expo, finish line, or by ordering online.
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Your timing chip is on the back of your bib.
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You don’t have to do anything. The bib chip looks like a sticker on the back of your bib. Do not fold your bib.
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NO CHIP = NO TIME!
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You are the backbone to every event we host, and the best way for us to improve our events is with your feed-back. We’d love to hear from you in our post-race survey emailed to you after the event. Thank you!
Yellowstone 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.
Masters Non-binary | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Masters Male | Chris White | 1:26:37 | 2021 |
Masters Female | Joanna White | 1:37:52 | 2021 |
Overall Non-binary | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Overall Female | Bailey Parker | 1:27:36 | 2016 |
Overall Male | Kent Chamberlain | 1:20:23 | 2021 |
EXPERIENCES
Experiences
BOOK YOUR YELLOWSTONE WEEKEND STAY WITH HOTELPLANNER
You’re officially in for Yellowstone 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
While we do not require runners to carry bear spray, you are welcome to make the decision that makes you most comfortable. We have bear spray at every aid station and all pacers and sweepers carry a can of bear spray. We hope you take the time to explore the diversity of this land while remaining smart and safe. As a reminder, you should never approach wildlife, even if they seem “friendly.” This is dangerous for you and for them.
Additional tips from the US Forest Service on staying safe in bear country.
Yes. There will be a bib pick up tent near the start line. It will open at 4:15 race morning.
Yes. Someone else may pick up your race packet as long as they have a photo of your ID. We also recommend forwarding your registration confirmation email to the person picking up your packet.
Dogs are a liability that our insurance does not cover. However, they are welcome to greet you at the finish line with the rest of your loved ones!
Please note that this course is not wheelchair or stroller friendly, and strollers are not permitted on the course.
Yes. There is plenty of parking available near the start and finish line in the Iris St. Old Airport Rd. area in West Yellowstone. We recommend arriving early to avoid any congestion, especially on race morning.
Yes, but exchanges are only available after the race. We preorder race shirts based on the sizing requests submitted during registration. To ensure all participants receive the size they originally requested, we do not offer exchanges until after the race in 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 May 30, 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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