Race Report: Beaverhead Marathon

What a fun adventure it was at the Beaverhead Marathon in Montana over this last weekend. There was mud, head winds (mostly the whole time), with rain the night before, we had some mud

too. The temps ranged from 37-49 from start to end of this marathon. ostriches, road kill, mountains, a bison statue, ducks, creek, gravel, cows, birds, clouds, a river, bridges, mile markers, hills, friends, trails, porta potties

, hay, horses, barns, parks etc...

It really was an adventure! I love races like this with so much great scenery and terrain change. This year it was extra challenging starting at 8 am at 39° and 20 mph winds. In addition to this it was high altitude as Dillon Montana is about 5200-5500 feet. I am used to high altitude but I know a few participants weren't.

This was a first year event so it wasn’t very big but they really did so many things right! There was free camping in the starting area but they bussed us to the start from the park near the finish as this was a point to point route. I loved the old-fashioned black power Musket gun shot start and the well marked route. They had green buckets each mile marking the full marathon on this point to point course. (photo credit: Jeremy Crawford)

Yellow for the half marathon. They had great photography on the route as well as great support with a cyclist “rabbit” leading the race as well as many of the organizers in vehicles checking up on runners.

There were many cool landmarks, including;

• The Beaverhead River, which is a blue ribbon trout stream and famous all over the world (should have brought my fishing pole! I love to fish!)
• Around mile three we passed the 45th parallel at Clark Canyon Reservoir.
• Pipe Organ Rock - this massive rock formation looks just like the pipes of an organ! It was fun to stop at a hydration station here.

I was happy to place 2nd in my age group, even with tired legs from Ironman Texas just two weeks before! It was fun to celebrate a friend’s birthday with a race. If you are looking for a doing a marathon in all 50 states, this would be one to look into. Check it out! As always, if you need help with training don't hesitate to contact me.

Train Happy,

Coach Lora Erickson

theblonderunner@gmail.com

BlondeRunner.com

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