Two Bear marathon a destination race

Now in its ninth year, the Two Bear marathon has blossomed from an off-the-grid, wild romp through the woods into somewhat of a destination trail race.

Slated for this Sunday, Sept. 15, hundreds of distance runners from 34 states and Canadian provinces will tackle the tough trails and mountainous terrain around Whitefish Lake.

“We are getting a lot of runners from outside of the area,” said race director Michaelann Lee, noting that a strong contingent from Ohio and New York is signed up.

“I think people come for the trail running,” Lee said. “Repeat runners love running on the Whitefish Trail and the scenery.”

The half marathon is capped at 250 runners, and the marathon at 150 racers. Sign up goes through Friday, Sept. 13.

New this year, the half marathon course will follow a portion of the Whitefish Trail near Swift Creek. Runners will start on Delrey Road, then take the trail up to Smith Lake and come down the dirt road to reconnect with East Lakeshore Drive.

The full marathon is on the same course as last year, starting at the Lion Mountain trailhead of the Whitefish Trail. The first 15 miles follow the Whitefish Trail and dirt roads, passing Beaver Lake, Murray Lake, Woods Lake and Thornberg Lake. The remainder of the course is paved following the north and east shores of Whitefish Lake, and finishing at The Wave.

Total elevation gain is more than. 4,600 vertical feet.

Rae Vanspoore, of Billings, was the top female last year with a time of 4:01:49. Zach Miller, of Bozeman, was the top male with a time of 3:22:42.

The course was vandalized prior to the race last year with directional markers switched to point a handful of runners down the wrong path. Lee says this year a mountain biker will ride the trails prior to the race to make sure the course is ready.

The race is an annual fundraiser for The Wave scholarship fund.

Race volunteers are still needed. Call Erin Sabin at The Wave at 862-2444.