Wicked Fast Marathon & Half Marathon Montana
Livingston, United States · June · Independent
Why people love it
- Net drop of about 365 m (1,200 ft) down Paradise Valley to the Yellowstone River.
- Certified for Boston qualifying.
- Most runners rate the scenery 5 out of 5.
Watch out for
- Shuttle delays pushed the 2026 start back 35 to 45 minutes.
- 19 to 34 km (12 to 21 mi) of loose or muddy gravel.
- Aid stations about 4 km (2.5 mi) apart with little fuel.
- Starts at about 1,770 m (5,800 ft) with little shade.
- Strict 5.5 hour cutoff.
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 satisfactionMixed2.3
RaceRaves: 17 ratings averaging 2.5 out of 5. About half praise the views, but many call it badly organized. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationShaky1.7
Production scored 1 out of 5 in 11 of 17 reviews: late buses, a start delayed 35 to 45 minutes, a moved finish, thin aid. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDemanding2.0
Gravel, late shuttles, long gaps between aid stations and a 5.5 hour cutoff; one first-time marathoner did enjoy it. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage2.5
Net drop of about 365 m (1,200 ft), but 19 to 34 km (12 to 21 mi) of loose gravel and rolling hills. · Medium confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course scenerySpectacular4.6
Paradise Valley and the Yellowstone River: scenery 5 out of 5 in 12 of 17 reviews. · Medium confidence
- Room to runSome pinch points3.2
Small field, but narrow roads. · Medium confidence
- Road surfacePatchy1.8
About 40 to 50 percent gravel, loose or muddy in places, with potholes. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.5
Narrow country roads with little shoulder and cones only. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessMostly flat3.8
Net downhill by about 365 m (1,200 ft) with rolling hills; total climbing not published. · Medium confidence
- Net downhillDownhill4.0
Net drop of about 365 m (1,200 ft) and Boston-qualifying certification, though loose gravel limits the benefit. · Medium confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsChaotic1.2
Shuttle-only start; many reviewers report too few buses and a 35 to 45 min late start. · Medium confidence
- Pacers and timingFew1.5
Runners report no start mat, estimated times and short mile markers. · Medium confidence
- Crowd supportSparse1.5
Rural valley road with few spectators. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsThin2.0
Aid about every 4 km (2.5 mi) at best; runners report missing stations, no gels and little finish food. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindSome wind3.0
Open valley; no wind reports. · Low confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant3.6
Roughly 7 to 24 °C (45 to 75 °F) in summer; one runner reported good weather. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.8
Montana mountain weather is changeable. Little runner data. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyTricky1.5
Point-to-point on rural roads. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeElevated1.8
Starts at about 1,770 m (5,800 ft) and finishes near 1,400 m (4,600 ft). · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early3.0
Livingston has hotels but fills in summer with Yellowstone visitors. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal2.8
Summer tourist prices. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityMostly driving1.8
Buses required from Sacagawea Park to the start. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.0
Bozeman airport about 60 km (37 mi) away. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsFiddly1.5
Packet pickup and shuttle problems reported. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood4.0
Livingston is a well-regarded Montana gateway town. · Low 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 inOpen entry4.5
Open entry, no sellout reports. · Medium confidence
- Value for moneyPricey1.8
Swag was scored 1 to 2 out of 5 in 13 of 17 reviews; thin food and a plain medal. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Livingston, Park County, United States
- Typical month
- June
- Latest or next date
- 26 June 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- point-to-point
- Descent
- 365 m (1,200 ft)
- Start time
- 06:30
- Cutoff
- 5.5 hours
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- About 60% paved and 40% gravel per organiser; runners report 12 to 21 mi (19 to 34 km) of loose gravel
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Rarely
- Air temperature
- 7–24 °C (45–75 °F)
- Humidity
- Dry
- Altitude
- 1,770 m (5,810 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), 60 km (37 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Livingston
- Booking
- Livingston and Paradise Valley lodging; a Yellowstone trip pairs well.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRavesRaced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
17 ratings averaging 2.5 out of 5 (2025 to 2026). Scenery is nearly always praised; the course drops about 1,100 to 1,200 ft (335 to 365 m) but has 12 to 21 mi (19 to 34 km) of gravel. Many report late buses, late starts, a moved finish and weak aid; a minority found it well run.
“Paradise Valley is absolutely beautiful”
Raced Wicked Fast Marathon & Half Marathon Montana? 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 Wicked Fast Marathon & Half Marathon Montana? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.