Singletrack n' Switchbacks Run Fest

Trailrunner magazine voted Helena one of the country's top trail running towns. This is your chance to experience Helena's singletrack firsthand. This training weekend is well suited to runners looking to gain more trail experience, considering running an ultramarathon, wanting to explore Helena's world-class trail system, or just desiring an inspiring training weekend with other trail running enthusiasts. Before hitting the trails participants will discuss shoes and equipment, hydration and nutrition, uphill and downhill running strategies. There will be plenty of trail time.

Course Content:

Friday afternoon - Meet downtown (likely at a retail establishment that has running gear available to meet last minute needs), make introductions and give the schedule for the weekend.  We may have a short discussion about shoes/equipment.  Easy 4-6 mile run.  Saturday morning - Meet downtown (likely in hotel meeting space).  Discuss hydration and nutrition on long runs either at the meeting spot or the trailhead.  Longer run of 8-15 miles.  If the snow has melted sufficiently, we will do a section of the Elkhorn 50k or 50-mile race course in the nearby Elkhorn Mountain Range.  Alternatively, we could run the Ridge Trail.  Picnic Lunch at trailhead following the run.  

Saturday afternoon - Optional run of 2-5 miles in the South Hills or Scratchgravels starting from downtown Helena walking mall.

Saturday evening - Dinner and a question and answer session with a panel of experienced trail runners.   

Sunday morning - Meet downtown (likely in hotel meeting space).  Possible short workshop about uphill and downhill running strategies either at the meeting spot or the trailhead.  Final run in the South Hills of 4-8 miles, probably a hill climb up Mt. Ascension or Mt. Helena.  Finish with lunch.

Cost: $160

Includes a Helena trail mail, lunch on Saturday and Sunday, dinner on Saturday and transportation to trailheads.

Instructor: Marta Fisher

Marta Fisher is an accomplished trail runner who lives in Helena, Montana and runs daily on the outstanding trails that start right from the heart of downtown. With mile-high Mount Helena towering over the city, Marta describes her passion for running the rugged Rocky Mountain trails of Montana and Helena: I started running at 15 because I thought I should try some kind of sport. I quickly fell in love with running and competing and ran varsity track and cross country through college. In two decades of running I’ve raced just about every distance from the mile to the marathon; I’m still looking forward to racing an ultramarathon. I became specifically focused on trail running about four or five years ago. While I can enjoy almost any run, I appreciate trail running specifically because the terrain always provides a challenge and the views are so frequently stunning, especially here in Montana. My biggest running goal is to continue running until I’m old enough to show up to a race and win an award for just being old. I’m also slowly chipping away at a goal to run a race in every US state. So far, I’ve raced in nineteen states. I’ve posted impressions of many of these races at: http://www.racereviews.blogspot.com/. While running is always fun, I especially enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes from racing. In the past few years, I’ve had notable finishes at trail races in Helena (2008 Don’t Fence Me In 12k – 1st, 2008 Mt. Helena Classic – 1st, 2006 South Hills Annual Trail Series – 1st in series), around Montana (2008 Pengelly Double Dip – 1st, 2008 Wulfman’s Continental Divide 14k – 2nd), and around the US (2007 Meeteetse Absaroka Challenge Mountain Run in Wyoming – 1st, 2007 Keewenaw Trail Running Festival in Michigan – 2nd in series).