We’re so lucky to have runners and walkers in Missoula who love to give back to the community as much as they love to be out on the roads, tracks and trails. Because of your generosity and participation in our events, Run Wild Missoula is pleased to announce that we have been able to provide gifts to several community organizations as we head into the holiday season.

 

We recently donated $5,000 to the Missoula Economic Partnership towards their Take Flight Missoula program. This program provides a funding guarantee in order to secure new air travel routes to and from Missoula, such as the new American Airlines direct flight to Dallas-Fort Worth. Additional routes make it easier to get to and from Missoula, including for participants of the Missoula Marathon. It also has the benefit of driving down ticket prices. Finally, new air routes enhance economic development opportunities in Missoula by making it easier for Missoula based businesses to connect to communities around the country.

 

We had a great turnout for the Pumpkin Run on October 21st, which allowed us to donate $2,100 to energy efficiency programs being incorporated into the new Missoula City-County Public Library. This is in addition to the $1,900 donated from the 2017 race.  

 

The Turkey Day Run was a resounding success with a new record for participation, with just under 2,000 runners and walkers taking part in the 8K or 3K Family Fun Run!!! And, those folks really put the Giving in Thanksgiving. They donated just under $2,500 in cash and 876 pounds of non-perishable food to the Missoula Food Bank. For every pound of food donated, Run Wild Missoula, in partnership with Runner’s Edge, donated $1 to the Salvation Army. Rounding upwards, we’ll be sending them a check for $1,000, and these funds will go towards their costs of operating a community warming center this winter. 

 

As a club, we should all be proud that we’ve been able to help contribute towards energy efficiency at our public library; assist with economic development; contribute towards those struggling with hunger; and, help provide a warm, safe space for our homeless community during the winter. 

 

What amazing ways to be able to help those in our community facing struggles and challenges; and, thank you to all that helped us to fulfill one of the Core Values of Run Wild Missoula – To Give Back To The Community In Meaningful Ways.

 

Giving thanks for our running community every time I’m out on the roads, tracks and trails.

Tony

We are so pleased to announce that, for the 2nd year in a row, the Missoula Marathon has been rated as the #1 Marathon In The US. Who rounded out the top 5? How about Flying Pig (Cincinnati), Boston, Grandma’s (Duluth, MN) and Chicago. That’s right – we ranked ahead of some of the biggest and best known events in the marathoning!!

 

Not only were we named as the #1 Marathon, we were also listed as a Top 20 Half Marathon, a Top Race for Beautiful On-Course Scenery, and a Top Race for Exceptional Race Management. That's right - 4 awards came back to our corner of Big Sky Country. (You can check out all the lists at  https://www.bibrave.com/thebibrave100/2018 .)

 

I’m so proud of the #1 Ranking; but, I’m equally as proud of the recognition for exceptional race management. That’s such a well-deserved honor for our amazing committee members, volunteers, club members, board of directors, staff, and all those who work so hard to make the Missoula Marathon one of the community’s signature events. Their shared commitment to excellence is what makes for such a wildly successful weekend.

 

I was humbled to be in Austin to receive the awards. But, mostly, I was honored to represent Run Wild Missoula, the Missoula Marathon, and the Missoula community. These rankings and awards were made possible by all of your efforts. Thank you, thank you, thank you for showing the world that we are, in fact, simply the best.

Have you always wanted to complete a marathon or half marathon but don't consider yourself a runner? Run Wild Missoula invites you to attend the Galloway Training Informational Open House on Wednesday, December 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Run Wild Missoula office (304 N Higgins Ave, basement of Runner’s Edge) .  Come learn what the training class entails, meet the program directors, and Run Wild Missoula staff.

Jeff Galloway ran in the 1972 Olympics and has dedicated his life to helping others improve their lives through running.  Galloway revolutionized distance training with his trademarked run-walk-run ^® method, making marathons and half marathons accessible to people of all ages and abilities.  His run-walk-run method is proven at effectively preventing, reducing and helping to recover from injury.  Elite athletes have even been able to improve their marathon finish times using Galloway's method!

Participate in Missoula Marathon Weekend!  Mark a dream off your life goal list!  Do it with a great support crew – you'll receive: encouragement, coaching & practical suggestions by veteran marathon and half marathon participants, training plans, scheduled weekly group long runs, inspiration, gels or other nutrition on runs 10 miles or longer, fun people to train with, information from educational speakers at certain classes and a celebratory post-training class picnic.

The Galloway Marathon Training Class starts Sunday, January 13, at 8:00 AM. The class runs for 24 weeks.  The Galloway Half Marathon Training Class starts on Sunday, February 17, at 8:00 AM.  The class runs for 19 weeks. Both classes are held weekly on Sunday mornings, at 8:00; and informal group runs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, at 6:00 PM.

We'll be ringing in the New Year with Runner's Edge at our annual Resolution Run. The race has reached its 500 participant cap, but that doesn't mean you can't be part of race day.  We are looking for volunteers to help on race day: race day setup, clean up, course monitors, and serving hot soup to finishers. If you are able to lend a hand, please email Ashley ([email protected])

Looking for a fun, holiday-themed 5K as a training run in the lead up to the Resolution Run?? Check out Light the Way 5K on Saturday, December 22nd!

Love your heart? Love your sweetie? Love to run in red outfits?  If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then you need to be at the Heart Throb 5K on February 9th! 

Beat the winter doldrums and get your heart beating with a fun, mid-winter 5K!

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S.? In fact, one in every 4 deaths is the result of heart disease. Regular exercise is a great way to develop a healthy heart. So, do your heart some good and come out for this fun 5K event!

Show your support for  National Heart Month and be eligible to win a prize. Wear anything red - a small accessory or a full head to toe red outfit - and you could win a prize for best red outfit! Don't forget, nothing says "I love you" like doing a 5K with your sweetie as a lead up to Valentine's Day. Remember, couples that run together, stay together!

This will be a great day to love yourself, love your partner, and love your heart!

For more information about the Heart Throb 5K, Click Here

What better way to kick off St. Patty's Day than with a few hundred of your best running friends!?! Join us on  Saturday, March 16th  and Run for the Luck of It!

We will be returning to Bonner Park this year! The 5K will run through the University District. The 7 Mile will take advantage of the beautiful trails we have along the Clark Fork River. Don't forget to bring along your little leprechauns - we have a 400-meter kid's dash, too. Stick around after the race for our block party!

Be sure to dress in your best St. Patty's Day get-up. We will have prizes for the  best costume on race day! We will also have awards for the  top three overall winners of the 5K and 7 Mile, as well as the  top age group winners.

For more information about the Run for the Luck of It!, Click Here

We have ONE race left to count towards your 7 Races for a Goodie for 2018 - Resolution Run 5K on January 1st - which will also be the first race of 2019 (double duty!). Once we have tallied everyone's races, we will be contacting those who have reached 7 (or more) about this year's goodie!

What is a Racemaker?? They are those Run Wild Missoula members who participate in 7 Run Wild Missoula races (or more) throughout the year - they make our races happen! We are thrilled to reward our Racemakers who go the extra mile (truly!) with a goodie! We recently update our Racemaker list. You can find it on our website  HERE .  You must be logged in to your RWM account to view the list.

We're adding something new for 2019! Complete all of Run Wild Missoula's road races in the calendar year, and receive  free entry to the following year's Missoula Marathon or Missoula Half Marathon! We will have more information coming soon, but we wanted to make sure you knew what was coming up.

2019 Run Wild Missoula Road Races:

Don't forget, our trail races count towards your 7 Races for a Goodie!

Holiday season is upon us, but that's no excuse to stop logging miles for 2018! Here are the updated running statistics for our club through November 30, 2018:

The races add up quickly, as do the miles for the  1200 & 2000 Mile Clubs ! Why log your miles? This is a great way to see how much running our club really does! Logging your miles is easy -  click here to go to the 1200/2000 Mile Club page (remember to login to your Run Wild Missoula account). You may log your miles daily, weekly, or monthly; whatever works for you! We do ask that at the very least, you have a monthly entry, and not a lump sum at the end of the year. Do you have questions about the mile clubs? Email Tony Banovich .

Both the Racemakers and Mile Club members receive customized giftsafter the New Year! How close are you to making it into these clubs?!? 2018 is almost over - make sure your races are up to date, and your mileage is entered!

Wednesday, December 5th at Iron Griz Bistro

6:00 PM: Meet at Iron Griz Bistro, 515 South Ave East (UM Golf Course)

• Run or Walk a 5K route through the neighborhood featuring holiday decorations

• Make it fun and festive by wearing holiday lights (regular lights are great too - visibility for safety!)

7:00 PM: Reconvene at Iron Griz for Socializing; order off the menu

Cheers & Thanks to Ellen Leahy Howell for coordinating this 4th annual event!

Questions? Email BOP Leader, Pam G ardiner

Where are you from? What brought you to Missoula?

I moved to Hamilton MT from Yakima WA 1977 with my family during my senior year of high school.  I just stayed and have lived on Hwy 93 ever since.  I can't imagine living anywhere else, Missoula is home.

Learn More About Julie Here >>>>>>>

Do you know someone from our Run Wild Missoula community that we should ge t to know better? With 1,500-plus members, we have a wealth of talent, passion, expertise, inspiration, and enthusiasm for running and walking among us.

Maybe it is someone who has been inspirational to you, achieved an insurmountable goal, demonstrated a courage to start (or re-start!), or clearly exemplifies the club's core values. Perhaps there is another reason?

If so, we'd like to hear from you! Simply complete the form on the Run Wild Missoula website.

Click Here to Nominate >>>>>>>

Light the Way 5K, December 22nd, Missoula

Sorry Bout That Half Marathon, January 12, Polson

Snow Joke Half Marathon, February 23, Seeley Lake