Thousands of runners seek pain, glory in annual running tradition
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
It’s easy comedy for blistered and cramping runners to quip, “why did I pay for this,” but there’s clearly something attractive about committing in January for a long, steep and exhausting mountain run in September. It’s why thousands sign up for the Rut Mountain Runs every year, with races selling out in a matter of minutes or hours.
Participation numbers explain the buzz surrounding Big Sky Resort’s base area Friday through Sunday, Sept. 12 to 14.
According to official event results, 523 runners finished the 50-kilometer race; 629 conquered the 28K; 626 conquered the 21K; 309 conquered the vertical kilometer or “VK”; and 891 conquered the 11K. Of course, there’s a few dozen overlapping names from those who finished two events, and this year, 57 completed the “Trifecta,” a three-day slog combining VK, 28K and 50K.
Miles of pain and fatigue notwithstanding—although as I write 48 hours after completing the 28K, knee soreness is certainly withstanding—the annual event provides a goal for its participants. Something to train for all summer, prepare for in early September, and execute with the support of family, friends, and dozens of volunteers who share salty and sweet snacks, water and electrolytes, and encouragement along the course.
‘You can’t beat it’
Mike Foote, race director, could be seen smiling around the start and finish line, communicating via radio across the many miles of trail to ensure a smooth event, congratulating finishers, and yet still pausing a few minutes to get a free mullet on Sunday at The Mountain Project tent.
“It’s truly turning into a big three days with the 21K growing—that’s been a great addition to the roster over the last few years… It just feels like a true, large three-day festival,” Foote told EBS on Sunday afternoon after holding out the finish line ribbon for 50K champions.
One of those winners, North Face athlete Erika Flowers of Bozeman, exuded nonchalance about her second Rut 50K victory. She entered last-minute on Saturday night to the Sunday morning event put on by her brand reps and teammates.
“I wanted to go on a long run today, and I figured this was the best way to do it,” Flowers said, adding that she enjoyed some of the changes made to the course since she last ran it in 2019. “‘Cause otherwise, I was going to be babysitting this morning,”
After finishing, she sat and caressed her 10-month-old son, Olsson—her first child and finish line motivation for her six-hour, 30-minute race.
“It’s the best thing in the world,” she said. “It’s what I think about the whole race—run faster, so I can hang out with this guy.”
Aside from going two-for-two on 50K victories, she’s also enjoyed the 28K and VK races in prior years at one of the events nearest to home.
“The energy this weekend is always amazing, like, you can’t beat it,” Flowers said.
Foote doubts the event will add any more distances now that the 21K is fully established in its third year, but he’s eyeing an opportunity to bring another event to Big Sky earlier in the summer.
“That’s something that we’re scheming on—very much to-be-determined,” Foote said.
Otherwise, the Rut will continue pursuing opportunities to improve its traditional event.
While runners’ performances were impressive as always, Foote said he continues to be inspired most by the actions of volunteers who step up to help the runners, sometimes “bringing them back to life” with nutrition to support their trek.
“It all works when we all come together in, like, the shared goal of making this thing happen,” he said. “People just step up. They come out of the woodwork, they help out where they find they need to, and it’s a wonderful thing.”
He paused and laughed, as event announcer Nico Composto joked about taking a moment of silence for a 50K finisher’s quads.
“We just really appreciate that we are able to put this thing on, I mean it’s so fun. We work on it year-round, and we get to celebrate it with thousands of people every year,” Foote said. “Just a lot of gratitude.”
