Foy's to Blacktail Trail Marathon

Event overview

Foy's to Blacktail Trail Marathon is a point-to-point mountain trail marathon of 26 miles held in the Foy's to Blacktail Trail system near Kalispell, Montana. The race is limited to the first 100 registrants. Registration opens January 1, 2026. The event is part of the Flathead Race Series and supports ongoing trail maintenance and development for the 40+ mile FTBT system.

Course and aid stations

The course is mostly single-track trails with more than 5,000 feet of total climbing. About 2,800 feet of climbing occur in just over the first 5 miles; the remaining 21 miles include more than 2,000 feet of climbing while descending a long ridge to the finish at Herron Park. There are five aid stations at approximately mile 5 (Blacktail Mountain lodge, restroom access), mile 13 (Emmons Saddle, outhouse access), mile 17.5 (near Stoltze Corner), mile 21 (just north of Chase Overlook), and mile 24 (near Foy's Overlook). Aid stations will offer water, food, and calories supplied by Skratch Labs and Hammer Nutrition. Volunteers will staff intersections and course flagging - look for pink flagging on wire and do not cross flagging that blocks side trails.

Safety and logistics

Wildlife, including bears and mountain lions, is present along the corridor. Participants are required to carry bear spray and to know how to use it; running with headphones is discouraged. Cell coverage is mostly present but not guaranteed; aid volunteers will carry cell phones and radios. The route has no vehicle access for the final 14 miles except for emergency vehicles. There is a strict cutoff at Emmons Saddle that will be enforced, and transportation back to Herron Park is available for those who do not continue. Bib pickup is available before race day at Flathead Running Company in Kalispell. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.