Montana Marathon
Billings, United States · September · Independent
Latest edition: Formerly the Queen Bee Montana Marathon, now the Montana Marathon. In its 46th year (first 1981). Held June 1, 2025, then moved to Sunday 2026-09-20. 2027 date not yet announced.
Why people love it
- Net drop of 250 to 305 m (830 to 1,000 ft) from Molt to downtown Billings.
- USATF-certified Boston qualifier; 3.6% to 13.6% of finishers qualified 2021 to 2025.
- RaceRaves 4.6 from 24 ratings; shuttles, 13 aid stations and praised swag.
- Small field: 244 marathon finishers in 2026.
Watch out for
- Almost no shade over 42.2 km (26.2 mi); 2025 reached 27 °C (81 °F).
- First 16 km (10 mi) is gently uphill; the start is at 1,283 m (4,208 ft).
- Few toilets on course and thin finish snacks, per reviewers.
- Cross traffic reported in the last 10 km (6 mi); date moved to September in 2026.
- Most RaceRaves ratings are from half and 10K runners.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.1
RaceRaves 4.6 from 24 ratings, mostly half and 10K, plus MarathonGuide 4.3. Praise for organisation and swag; the marathon is small and exposed. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.3
RaceRaves production 4.6, with clear communication, smooth shuttles and 13 aid stations. Complaints: few toilets on course and thin finish snacks. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.5
Fair 7 hour limit and a 2023 first-timer rated it well, but there is no shade, early rolling climbs and few spectators. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast4.3
Net drop of 253 to 305 m (830 to 1,000 ft) and a 3.6% to 13.6% BQ rate. Heat and no shade can cost time. · Medium confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryBeautiful3.6
RaceRaves scenery 4.1: open prairie with mountain views, then residential streets and a trail into Billings. A 2026 marathoner found it so-so. · Medium confidence
- Room to runRoomy4.0
Small marathon field of 244 in 2026. Shorter races merge toward the finish at Pioneer Park; one tunnel is the only pinch noted. · Medium confidence
- Road surfaceGood3.9
Mostly asphalt per reviewers, with some trail sections along the Heritage Trail. No surface complaints found. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.9
A 2024 half runner reports cross traffic in the last 10 to 11 km (6 to 7 mi), plus residential traffic in 2012. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessRolling3.2
Logs show about 158 m (520 ft) of gain and 411 m (1,351 ft) of loss, with the gain early. · Medium confidence
- Net downhillBig drop4.5
Net drop roughly 830 to 1,000 ft (253 to 305 m), mostly in the final 16 miles (26 km). USATF-certified Boston qualifier. · High confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSmooth3.9
Shuttles from Billings Senior High at 6:00 am and a heated start building with bag drop; no parking at the start. · Medium confidence
- Pacers and timingSome pace groups3.3
Chip timing and USATF certification; pace groups not confirmed in reviews. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportDecent2.8
Few spectators on open prairie; town sections are supportive and residents ran sprinklers in the 2025 heat. Park finish with music and awards. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.9
13 aid stations, water about every 3 miles (5 km) with some fuel per 2025 and 2023 reviewers. Porta-potties and finish snacks called thin. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindSome wind3.1
One 2022 runner reported headwinds; high plains but no strong windy reputation. · Low confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant3.6
Lows of 8 to 12 °C (47 to 54 °F), highs of 16 to 28 °C (61 to 82 °F); 2025 reached 27 °C (81 °F). · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.2
Cool drizzle in 2026, heat in 2025, pleasant 2022 to 2024. The move from spring to September leaves little history. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.0
Point to point with a shuttle start; spectators can see the finish at Pioneer Park and the last residential miles. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeModerate2.6
Starts near 4,208 ft (1,283 m) and finishes near 3,131 ft (954 m). A 2022 runner said altitude raised hydration needs. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood4.3
Billings is Montana's largest city with many hotels. No race-specific block found. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.6
Standard Billings hotel pricing; no price data. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.6
Finish in downtown Billings; marathoners shuttle from Senior High to Molt start. Downtown hotels are near the finish. · Low confidence
- Travel easeEasy3.6
Billings Logan airport is in town; otherwise remote region. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.0
Packet pickup the day before (12 to 5 pm), shuttles, bag drop and a small expo with local vendors. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodFine3.2
A 2026 reviewer says Billings has little to see but recommends the Yellowstone Art Museum and Moss Mansion. · Medium confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inEasy4.3
Open entry through RunSignup; MarathonGuide mentions a marathon capacity of 200. · Low confidence
- Value for moneyGood value4.0
Swag praised (hoodies, medals, finish pancakes); 2026 fee not published. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Billings, Yellowstone County, United States
- Typical month
- September
- Latest or next date
- 20 September 2026
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 245 athletes
- First held
- 1981
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- point-to-point
- Climbing
- 158 m (520 ft)
- Descent
- 411 m (1,350 ft)
- Start time
- 07:00
- Cutoff
- 7 hours
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Asphalt with some paved trail
- How to get in
- open
- Air temperature
- 8–23 °C (46–73 °F)
- Humidity
- Dry, 60% at start in a typical year
- Altitude
- 1,283 m (4,210 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Billings Logan International (BIL)
- Where to stay
- Downtown Billings
- Booking
- Downtown Billings hotels are near the finish; buses leave Billings Senior High at 6:00 am.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRavesRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
24 ratings, 4.6 overall; difficulty 2.8, scenery 4.1, production 4.6, swag 4.1. Runners agree on a fast net-downhill course, excellent organisation and shuttles, strong swag and a friendly small-race feel. Marathoners add no shade, thin porta-potty counts and few spectators early.
“Beautiful course and sweet swag.”
- MarathonGuide race pageRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Rated 4.3; review count not shown on the page. 2026 results show 244 marathon finishers with a 7-hour limit.
- MarathonGuide staff previewRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Describes a rocket-ship net-drop course: first 10 miles (16 km) gently rolling, then about 1,000 ft (305 m) down in the last 16 miles (26 km), the Molt hogbacks, 13 aid stations, shuttled starts and a 7:00 am marathon start.
“rocket ship”
- Felix Wong blogRaced 2012 · blog · Positive
A 2012 runner doing his second state in a weekend: first 20 miles (32 km) rural with mountain views, last 6 miles (10 km) in residential traffic, net downhill so potentially fast, school-bus ride to the start, 154 finishers.
Raced Montana Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
Training for Montana Marathon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.