Le Grizz, a 50-mile race, is run the second weekend of October in Hungry Horse, Montana, which is
pretty far from anywhere, but the trip is well worth it. The race is super low-key, only 73 entrants
this year. The course is spectacular and simple, drive 50 miles out from the town of Hungry Horse
(near Glacier Natl. Park, western montana) and then run back in. The first 36 miles are on gravel
forest service roads, the last 14 is on paved road.
The scenery is awesome. you're running along the east side of the Hungry Horse resevoir, and
the view of the western side is amazing: think, Busch Beer commercial. Big, jagged mountains
capped in snow.
Temp. was about 33 degrees at the start, warming to about 50 or so at midday, then back down a tad
by the end of the race. Overcast, no rain, but some slightly muddy spots from earlier rains. Aid
stations are far apart (the first is at the 12-mile mark) so if you're running it alone, bring water
bottles or a hydration pack. Most people had a crew, the entire course is crew accessible, so they
can drive ahead a couple miles and meet you at regular intervals with food and drink.
Terrain is up and down and up and down and up and down ... lots and lots of hills. None too bad, but
so many of them you just sort of have to give in and roll with them.
Cut-offs are liberal enough so that most can finish, and race director has a reputation for
extending the deadline for hours and hours if someone is truly trying and is making forward
progress. The other runners are great people, very friendly and full of advice. Most of it good.
There are plenty of hotels nearby, but remember, if you drive to the starting line, when you finish
you'll have to find someone willing to make the 100-mile/3-hour round trip back to the starting line
to get your car. It's best to park at the finish line and hitch a ride to the start, or book a trip
on the van from the host motel.
Website is www.cheetahherders.com
Anyway, a fun run. Thought I'd add this in so it's archived should someone go looking for info on
the event someday.
pretty far from anywhere, but the trip is well worth it. The race is super low-key, only 73 entrants
this year. The course is spectacular and simple, drive 50 miles out from the town of Hungry Horse
(near Glacier Natl. Park, western montana) and then run back in. The first 36 miles are on gravel
forest service roads, the last 14 is on paved road.
The scenery is awesome. you're running along the east side of the Hungry Horse resevoir, and
the view of the western side is amazing: think, Busch Beer commercial. Big, jagged mountains
capped in snow.
Temp. was about 33 degrees at the start, warming to about 50 or so at midday, then back down a tad
by the end of the race. Overcast, no rain, but some slightly muddy spots from earlier rains. Aid
stations are far apart (the first is at the 12-mile mark) so if you're running it alone, bring water
bottles or a hydration pack. Most people had a crew, the entire course is crew accessible, so they
can drive ahead a couple miles and meet you at regular intervals with food and drink.
Terrain is up and down and up and down and up and down ... lots and lots of hills. None too bad, but
so many of them you just sort of have to give in and roll with them.
Cut-offs are liberal enough so that most can finish, and race director has a reputation for
extending the deadline for hours and hours if someone is truly trying and is making forward
progress. The other runners are great people, very friendly and full of advice. Most of it good.
There are plenty of hotels nearby, but remember, if you drive to the starting line, when you finish
you'll have to find someone willing to make the 100-mile/3-hour round trip back to the starting line
to get your car. It's best to park at the finish line and hitch a ride to the start, or book a trip
on the van from the host motel.
Website is www.cheetahherders.com
Anyway, a fun run. Thought I'd add this in so it's archived should someone go looking for info on
the event someday.
I'd take my chances in the woods any day before
