Multi-sport Glacier Challenge set for Saturday around Whitefish

This year’s Glacier Challenge, Montana’s premiere multi-sport relay race, kicks off at City Beach Saturday.

Featuring six legs of running, biking, canoeing and kayaking, the Glacier Challenge stretches over nearly 50 miles of scenic terrain in and around Whitefish.

The route starts at Swift Creek and works its way back to City Beach before heading up past Lazy Creak to Inez Point on the northwest side of Whitefish Lake before turning around to finish at City Beach.

In addition to the full relay race, there will also be separate 5K and 8-mile races, as well as a triathlon that incorporates the run, paddle and pedal pieces of the challenge.

The pre-race meeting for full Glacier Challenge participants as well as those running the 8-mile race will be at 6:30 a.m. at City Beach, with a 7 a.m. bus departure and a 8 a.m. start.

The 5K race will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Participants can pick up their race packets Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. at Sportsman and Ski Haus at Whitefish.

Awards and a raffle will be held after the race at City Beach.

Registration is available at theglacierchallenge.com/registration/, with a fee of $25 for the 5K, $40 for the 8-mile run, $70 for the triathlon and $80 and more for full Glacier Challenge entries.

The Glacier Challenge is in its 16th year and is presented by Sportsman and Ski Haus, Kalispell Daybreak Rotary, Torrent Technologies and Nomad Global Communications Solutions.

For more information, contact Matthew Smeltzer at 406-212-2842.