Tuesdays & Thursdays
Beacon Running Club
The Beacon Running Club meets twice a week for group runs with people of all abilities. On Tuesdays, the group gathers at the Beacon office in downtown Kalispell at 5:30 p.m. On Thursdays, the group meets at a location in Whitefish at 6 p.m., with specific locations posted earlier that day on Facebook and the club’s website. The club’s goal is to connect the valley’s runners, walkers and other active residents. By joining the club, members receive discounts to several races. The club’s website is a one-stop source for information on upcoming races and events.
Sign Up: flatheadbeaconrunningclub.com
April 19
A Run Through History, Kalispell
In its sixth year, this fun, family friendly event in downtown features a 5K and 10K for runners, walkers and strollers. Team T-shirts or costumes are welcome and encouraged. The run begins at The Museum at Central School and travels through Woodland Park, past the Conrad Museum and through the historic east side residential district. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
Sign Up: downtownkalispell.com or https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Kalispell/RunThroughHistory5k10k
April 25
Obstacle Course Race, Kalispell
The Kalispell Athletic Club is hosting its annual event featuring 23 obstacles over the 3-mile course. It includes just enough mud to make it a fun race for all levels and abilities. The race will test your strength, agility and endurance, and participants will embark in pairs every two minutes starting at 9 a.m. Participants can request start times.
Sign Up: kalispellathleticclub.net
Rendezvous Fun Run, Eureka
In conjunction with the annual festival in Eureka, this third annual race wraps through the Indian Springs Ranch Golf Course. Proceeds support the school’s cross country program.
Sign Up: welcome2eureka.com
April 26
Suit Yourself Fun Run, Kalispell
Dress to impress at this lively, family friendly race to support the Glacier High School speech and debate program. The third annual event features a 5K and 10K for walkers, joggers or runners. It embarks from the west parking lot at the high school and winds through Kidsports Complex. Creative attire is encouraged. Create a team and compete for top awards.
Sign Up: facebook.com/suityourselffunrun
May 2
MK5K & 1 Mile Fun Run, Kalispell
This annual event is a family friendly fun run through Lawrence Park. Proceeds support Mary Kay Foundation. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
Sign Up: marykayfoundation.org/
May 9-10
Spartan Race, Bigfork
This year’s Spartan Race will be bigger than ever with two days of muddy, action-packed adventure. NBC Sports will be in attendance filming the elite men’s and women’s competition on Sunday as well as talking with competitors who can share their best stories about obstacle racing. New this year, Saturday will feature the Spartan Beast, which is even more arduous and hardcore than the traditional Sprint. To conquer the Beast, competitors will tackle 12-14 miles of course and over 30 obstacles. The total elevation gain is 3,156 feet and organizers estimate the average finish time to be over five hours. On Sunday, competitors will brave the Spartan Sprint, which is back for a third year and will once again feature roughly 5 miles of single track trail, old roads and frequent bushwhacking, as well as over 20 obstacles. The average finish time is 80 minutes and the fastest time is 35 minutes. Waves of 250 athletes will be released every 15 minutes across three groups (elite, morning, afternoon). Last year’s event drew over 5,000 competitors and 2,000 spectators to the Flathead Lake Lodge near Bigfork. Beacon Running Club members receive a 40 percent discount.
Sign Up: Spartan.com
May 16
Run for Your Mama Race, Bigfork
This third family friendly event will be held at Bigfork High School and travel along the Swan River Nature Trail. This race consists of a quarter-mile kids race (6 and under), a half-mile mile kids race (7-12 years old) and a 5K walk/run. Proceeds support Mothers of Preschoolers, a program designed to nurture mothers with children from infancy through kindergarten. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
Sign Up: bigforkmops.com
Sunburst’s Amazing Race, Kalispell
This inaugural event sends two-person teams through the community to solve puzzles and challenges. It begins in Depot Park and is a fundraiser for the Sunburst Crisis Intervention Fund.
Sign Up: At Sunburst Mental Health or sunburstamazingrace.splashthat.com
May 17
Whitefish Animal Hospital WAG Race, Whitefish
In its sixth year, this is a popular, dog-friendly event for the whole family. Walkers, joggers and runners can choose from three formats: 1-mile fun run, 4-mile or 15K. The event is based at the Hugh Rogers Wag Park, which was recently named one of the top 10 dog parks in the U.S. by USA Today. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
Sign Up: flatheadbeaconrunningclub.com, or at Whitefish Animal Hospital
Edgerton Fun Run, Kalispell
This family friendly 5K event is part of the annual carnival at Edgerton Elementary School. This year’s carnival will have food vendors, games for the kids, and will feature several new attractions from “The Zone.”
Sign Up: edgertonelementarypto.digitalpto.com
May 22-24
Bigfork Whitewater Festival
In its 40th year, this beloved annual tradition features some of the best paddlers in the West riding the Swan River and famed stretch of Class IV whitewater known as the “Wild Mile” near downtown. The upper slalom race is for kayaks and canoes and is an International Canoe Federation style slalom race with 15-20 gates set over 250 yards of continuous Class IV whitewater. The timed lower/beginner slalom race is for kayaks, canoes and SUPs, and is held on Class II-III whitewater with eight-10 gates along the Wild Mile. This is an all-out sprint with no penalties. The giant slalom is judged like the Upper Slalom Race with 5-second hit and 50-second miss penalties. It has 10-15 gates over the same stretch of Class IV water as the downriver race.
Sign Up: bigforkwhitewaterfestival.com
May 25
Bigfork Whitewater Triathlon
In conjunction with the Whitewater Festival, this annual triathlon features a 4-mile paddle, 14-mile bike ride and 4-mile run. All legs start at the Swan River Road Bridge. The triathlon finishes at the Garden Bar in downtown Bigfork where lunch and awards are provided.
Sign Up: kalispellathleticclub.net
May 30
Pete’s Spring Run-Off, Kalispell
This family friendly race features a 10K, 5K and 1-mile run or walk followed by a carnival that supports Peterson Elementary School. The 10K starts at Foys Lake and follows a portion of Rails to Trails to Peterson Elementary School. The 5K follows the Rails to Trails to the school. The 1-mile event starts and ends at the school.
Sign Up: https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Kalispell/PetesSpringRunOff
June 7
Herron Half & 10K, Kalispell
In its fourth year, this challenging race is a favorite among running enthusiasts and is held along the scenic setting and trail system at Herron Park. All proceeds benefit the Foys to Blacktail Trails organization. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
Sign Up: runflathead.com/herron-half-10k
June 19
Relay for Life of Flathead County, Kalispell
Raise funds and awareness to save lives from cancer and pay homage to survivors by gaining pledges and walking or running around the track, either individually or as a relay team. This year the separate towns have combined for this one unified event at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.
Sign Up: relay.acsevents.org
June 20
Summit Classic, Kalispell
Another popular race, this family friendly event consists of a 5K and 10K for walkers, joggers and runners. This year there is also a free 1-mile kids run for ages 12 and under. The courses follow the streets surround The Summit. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
Sign Up: kalispellregional.org/summit/events/summit-classic-5k-10k-walk-jog-run
June 27
Whitefish Lake Run
A perennial favorite, this 10K and 5K annually draws hundreds of participants. The 5K starts and ends at Whitefish City Beach while 10K runners are bussed 6 miles up East Shore Drive and finish at Whitefish City Beach. New this year, competitors are invited to check out a lineup of films at the O’Shaughnessy Center on June 27-28. Entry will be free with race registration and is not open to the general public. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
Sign Up: sportsmanskihaus.com/event/whitefish-lake-run
June 28
Glacier Challenge, Whitefish
In its 13th year, this beloved homegrown competition molds together some of the valley’s most popular activities into a multi-sport relay race for individuals or teams. It consists of six legs of running, biking, canoeing and kayaking over 40 miles in and around Whitefish. There is also a triathlon for those who want to do the first three legs. Competitors are invited to check out a lineup of films at the O’Shaughnessy Center June 27-28. Entry will be free with a race registration and is not open to the general public. Proceeds from the Glacier Challenge benefit the Flathead Youth Home. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
Sign Up: theglacierchallenge.com
July 4
Grateful Nation Montana Freedom 5K, Bigfork
This family friendly event is a great way to kick start Independence Day before the parade. It’s a fun event for all ages and abilities. It begins at Brookies Cookies and travels along the scenic Swan River Nature Trail. Proceeds benefit the Grateful Nation Montana scholarship fund.
Sign Up: gratefulnationmontana.com
July 11
Lakeside 5K/ 10K & Lighthouse Loop Swim
As part of the annual Lakeside Community Fair, this family fun run begins and ends at Volunteer Park and winds through neighborhoods along the west shore of Flathead Lake. Proceeds benefit Lakeside Community Club. The swim starts at the docks at Volunteer Park and features a 1.4-mile competition and 2.4-mile race.
Sign Up: lakesidecommunityclub.com/Beacons-Lakeside-Run
July 18
Flathead Valley Kids Triathlon, Kalispell
This event is for children 4-13 years of age who want to compete in a triathlon. This event is made up of a swim, bike and run at Woodland Park and the water park.
Sign Up: kalispellregional.org/summit/events/first-montana-bank-flathead-valley-kids-triathlon
Columbia Falls CXC Cruise 6K
A popular fun run that cruises through neighborhoods and city parks near the high school, this event benefits the cross country program.
Sign Up: TBD
July 25
Boogie to the Bank, Columbia Falls
Get your boogie on during Heritage Days with this popular 5K and 10K event. As part of Columbia Falls’ annual community festival, these two races annually draw fast, colorful competition. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
Sign Up: cfallsheritagedays.com
July 26
Mike Spence Summit Triathlon/Duathlon, Kalispell
Both races are based at Foys Lake. The triathlon is comprised of a half-mile swim, 12.7-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run. The duathlon is a 3.1-mile run and 12.7-mile bike. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
Sign Up: kalispellregional.org/summit/events/mike-spence-summit-triathlon-duathlon
Aug. 8
Big Mountain Run, Whitefish
In its 33rd year, this challenging but rewarding race ascends Whitefish Mountain Resort and crowns the king and queen of the mountain, as well as the prince and princess and the top dog finishers. Proceeds support the Glacier Nordic Ski Team.
Sign Up: glaciernordicclub.com
Sept. 5-6
12 & 24 Hours of Flathead, Kalispell
The goal of this annual fundraiser is simple yet challenging — solo riders, or teams of two, four or five people, try to log as many laps as possible in a 12-hour or 24-hour period. Laps are roughly 10 miles along the winding, up-and-down trails of Herron Park, a popular scenic destination for biking enthusiasts. Proceeds benefit adaptive sports equipment and recreational opportunities for those who live with paralysis and life altering disabilities.
Sign Up: 24hrsofflathead.org
Sept. 19
Huckleberry 100, Kalispell
Enjoy the scenic views of fall by touring the outdoors for 100 miles, 50 miles, 25 miles or a short family ride. Proceeds benefit Fresh Life Radio and the Montana Food Bank.
Sign Up: huckleberry100.com
Sept. 20
Two Bear Marathon & Half Marathon, Whitefish
One of the more revered marathons in the region, this popular event begins outside of Whitefish and follows a challenging course through scenic trails and eventually ending at The Wave Fitness Center. The full marathon begins at the Lion Mountain Trailhead. The half marathon starts at the upper Whitefish Road, about 2 miles off East Lakeshore Drive. Beacon Running Club members receive a discount.
Sign Up: twobearmarathon.org
Obstacle Course Race, Kalispell
The Kalispell Athletic Club is hosting this challenging event featuring 23 obstacles over the 3-mile course.
Sign Up: kalispellathleticclub.net
Sept. 27
Defend Kidsports, Kalispell
Put on your best superhero outfit and enjoy this family friend event, featuring a 1-mile run/walk, 5K and 10K at Kidsports Complex. Proceeds benefit the youth athletic complex.
Sign Up: flatheadbeaconrunningclub.com/defendkidsports/
Oct. 4
Pink Me Up Color Run, Kalispell
In its third year, this colorful annual event at Kidsports Complex draws hundreds of participants who douse each other in colorful powder. Kalispell Regional Medical Center hosts this event to raise awareness for breast cancer.
Sign Up: kalispellregional.org