John Colter Run
Three Forks, United States • 20 Sep 2025
John Colter Run : basic information
The John Colter Run is scheduled for September 20, 2025 at Missouri Headwaters State Park near Three Forks, Montana (1585 Trident Road). The event is limited to 300 participants and registration opens April 1, 2025. Registration closes September 18, 2025; there is no race day registration. Race entry fees are nonrefundable in normal circumstances; if the event is cancelled for an extraordinary reason a 50% refund policy applies. Race timing is provided by Muddy Dog Sports. Finishers receive race shirts.
Course, logistics and rules
The course is approximately 7 miles long. The first 1.5 miles follow a paved or gravel country road; the remaining roughly 5.5 miles are on rugged, cross-country trails. The route includes two railroad crossings and a final quarter mile with two water crossings, including passage under a railroad bridge and a crossing of the Gallatin River. Mud can be knee deep and river depth may reach waist level; a safety rope will be secured across the river. Trail markers include rock cairns, flags, stakes, tipis, skulls, bones, beer bottles, and small green cones.
The race begins and ends at Missouri Headwaters State Park, located one mile south of Trident and about six miles northeast of Three Forks. Parking is limited and a shuttle will serve some parking areas. There will be one water station at about four miles and porta potties at the start area. Walkers and dogs are not permitted. Awards include overall and age-group prizes and special prizes for the first runners to reach a point near 6.5 miles. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.