Local registration parties on Jan. 6 prioritize Big Sky, Bozeman, Missoula runners
EBS STAFF
The 2025 Rut Mountain Runs will take place Sept. 12 to 14, and the event’s ever-competitive online registration will open in less than a month.
Runners from across the globe must commit to testing their endurance nine months ahead of the 13th annual trail running event, when registration goes live on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time.
In 2024, four of the five events—VK, 21K, 28K and 50K—sold out within 30 minutes, and the remaining 11K within nine hours, according to an email from race organizers.
The annual event continues to prioritize its largest local and regional communities—Big Sky, Bozeman and Missoula—and will offer early registration parties in each location on Monday, Jan. 6. Each runner must attend in-person and can only register themselves.
The parties will be held in Big Sky at Big Sky Resort from 4 to 6 p.m., in Bozeman at The Mountain Project from 7 to 9 p.m. and in Missoula at The Runner’s Edge from 6 to 8 p.m.
“These parties are a chance for those in our largest Rut communities to gather and share in the stoke and excitement of chasing big scary dreams together in 2025,” the email stated. “Also, it’s a chance to sign up without the stress of doing so when registration opens to the public.”
In addition, the Rut will continue its partnership with Bozeman-based Inclusive Outdoors Project to enhance diversity. Spots will be reserved for “historically marginalized” groups including people of color, those with disabilities and LGBTQIA2S+ athletes, with scholarships available, according to the email. Eligible participants must apply for those spots from Dec. 20 to Jan. 3, and selections will be communicated by Jan. 6. Those interested can apply from anywhere, not just Big Sky, Bozeman, or Missoula.
“If you are interested, please keep an eye out for the application going out on the 20th,” the email stated.
Race Director Mike Foote signed the email, adding hopes that January registration inspires runners to get out on chilly winter mornings and begin imagining adventures in spring and summer to share time on trails with fellow Rut runners ahead of the growing event.
