Cycling & running events in Montana, 2026

Montana Training Notes

Running: Montana runners keep the week simple with park laps, river paths, and dirt when the legs want it. Locals use Toole Park, Ogren Park, Rose Park, Caras Park, Gallagator Trail, South Gallagator Trail, and Peets Hill Loop for easy miles, intervals, and steady Z2. Story Mill Spur Out and Back gives about 6 miles from the MSU-Bozeman side. Missoula Sole Mates meets on the first Friday of every month at Caras Park for a 3-mile run. Montana Marathon, MONTANA MARATHON | 406 Race Series, and Little Buzz Run sit on the anchor list.

Cycling: Montana riders have plenty to chew on, from gravel to singletrack to big-road base miles. Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club serves the greater Bozeman cycling community, and Owenhouse Cycling keeps clinics, trail days, and local routes in the mix. Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association backs the dirt side, and Bozeman Youth Cycling brings the next crew along. Paradise Valley Lollipop, The Hammer, The Dry, Cox, Rocky Loop, and The Gallatin River – Axtell Loop are the main weekday gravel routes. Ride the Divide, Big Sky Country Loop, and Nevada Ogden Mountain ride bring the climbs, while Bridger Canyon Century is the classic gran fondo-style anchor.

Season: Spring, summer, and fall are the best training blocks in Montana, and locals use them hard. Summer nights are cool, so early runs, evening crits, and long gravel rides work well. Early and late season can swing from 20 below to over 100F, so locals keep layers, food, water, and bear spray in the plan when they go really out there. Winter changes the rhythm for both sports, with valley footing, indoor track work, skiing fitness, and snow in the more mountainous areas replacing some singletrack and road volume.