Moonlight On Mt Ascension Trail Run

Moonlight on Mt Ascension 12 Hour Night Trail Run

Moonlight on Mt Ascension is a 12 hour night trail run held near Helena, Montana, and limited to 75 runners. The event uses trails in Helena’s South Hills, covering the Mount Ascension and Rodney Ridge areas on a modified figure 8 course composed entirely of singletrack.

The event format gives each participant 12 hours to cover as many complete figure 8 loops as possible. A runner must complete at least one full figure 8 loop to be recorded as a finisher. Runners may take breaks between loops and do not have to run continuously.

Course details:

• Figure 8 loop: 11.57 miles, 2,645 feet gain
• Mt Ascension loop: 7.5 miles, 1,630 feet gain
• Rodney Ridge loop: 4.0 miles, 1,015 feet gain

The course is marked with ribbons, signs, reflective tape, and glow sticks. An aid station at the Old Shooting Range Trailhead will offer typical aid station food, HEED, Perpetuem, Hammer Gel, water, soup, coffee, and hot chocolate. Wildlife such as deer, black bear, and mountain lion have been seen on these trails. The event is organized by the nonprofit Helena Ultra Runners League and is staffed entirely by volunteers. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.