7.5 RUGGED MILES

The John Colter Run is a classic Bozeman race!

REGISTERVolunteer
UPDATE FOR 2022 JOHN COLTER RUN
THIS YEAR’S JOHN COLTER RACE IS ON AND SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 17TH AT THE HEADWATERS STATE PARK!  WHILE THERE MAY BE LAST MINUTE CHANGES, WE ARE PLANNING TO HAVE THE RUN AS WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST, WHERE EVERYONE STARTS TOGETHER, A BBQ, LIVE MUSIC, AND AWARDS CEREMONY.

Currently we do not have any Covid restrictions, however we do ask that you keep in mind your safety as well as your fellow runners.  If you feel sick or know that you have been exposed PLEASE consider the well being of others and opt out of the run. While we are confident we will be able to have the race in 2022, please be aware when you sign up the event has the potential to be cancelled with minimal notice.  Please know we are committed to keeping all runners safe, and not putting others health at risk.  We will be taking guidance from our public health institutions, monitoring the situation, and communicating with you clearly as things evolve. We will make a final decision to continue with the race as planned by August 1st.  We will do everything we can to make sure we can have the John Colter Run again this year. If at that time we decide not to have the race, we will refund 50% of the entry fee. We do not have a roll over option from last year.

If we have to cancel the race you may elect to donate to the race.  All proceeds over the costs already incurred will be donated to Headwaters State Park so that we may continue to enjoy the beautiful area.

In the meantime, we hope you have the ability to get out, breathe some fresh air, enjoy your favorite places, and keep your fingers crossed for another great run this year!

We are limited to 300 participants.  Registration Opens on April 1, 2022, SO RESERVE YOUR SPOT AND SIGN UP EARLY!  

JOHN COLTER RUN CREW

JOHN COLTER RUN

September 17th, 2022

Join us at Missouri Headwaters State Park outside of Three Forks, MT for an awesome trail race re-enacting John Colter’s infamous (naked!) escape from Blackfoot Indians.

REGISTRATION

With a 300 runner cap on the number of participants, don’t miss your chance at participating in this highly coveted 7.5 mile run! You can register on the John Colter RunSignUp site!

Please note, there is no race day registration!

RACE DAY INSTRUCTIONS

The race will start at 9:00 am on Saturday morning.  Montana Rail link STOPS all of their trains on this track for the John Colter Run.  This is only one of two events they do this for.  But we will still have a certified flagger and MRL Engineer at the first set of tracks for safety.  The second set or tracks we go UNDER the bridge. NO ONE goes over the tracks at the second crossing. A word of advice: When you hit the first water crossing, STAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CHANNEL. It isn’t as muddy there and it’s easier going.

GET YOUR NUMBER

There is NO RACE PACKET PICKUP.  Pick up your Race Bibs AT the Headwaters State Park Saturday morning.  We’ll have tables set up there.  You will receive your awesome John Colter shirt when you finish the race at the finish line in the Park.

PARKING

We are over full for the race, so parking might be somewhat limited. We will have spots for the ambulance, supplies, etc reserved in the central park area but there is parking just south of the concrete outhouse, just west of the park, across the road and south of the park just before you go by the big rock bluff.  That area will be served by a sprinter shuttle that can bring you over to the park.

THE WEATHER

The weather in Montana in mid-September could range from a bake-off to a snowstorm.  Please check the forecast a few days before the run, and come prepared with appropriate running attire for the expected conditions!

COURSE

Approximately 7.5 miles on paved and gravel roads and rugged trails. The course is relatively rough but suited for cross-country running. The race begins and ends at the Missouri Headwaters State Park with the first mile and a half on paved country road. The remainder of the course crosses a number of gravel roads, but most of it will be on marked, rugged trails. The course, where not on roads, will be marked with flagged stakes. The last ¼ mile of the course encompasses two river crossings.

Be prepared for water up to waist deep at each crossing.
Bring an extra change of clothes for the awards ceremony and refreshments.

The course is marked with rock cairns, flags, tipis, a few beer bottles, skulls and bones, and some small green cones.  If it looks like someone put it there, it was probably us. Look for the markers.  You can always see from one marker to the next.

Keep your eyes peeled for snakes.  When we were doing the course work we saw snakes.  So be snake aware!

And one final thing. This is a TRAIL RUN so look around!  When you are on top of the course, even if you are one of the lead runners, be sure to pause and look around and see just what an awesome place this is that we live.  There is some real Montana history here. Just picture in your mind the day John Colter was captured, stripped naked, ran, and escaped from the Indians in hot pursuit, this country looked just like it looks today when you run it!

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

RACE START

Montana Rail Link now holds all train traffic for a short window  to allow for safe runner passage at the railroad crossing at mile 1.5.  Due to this and for logistical purposes the race will start at exactly 9:00 am.  It is the racer’s responsibility to be at the start line and ready to run on time.

JOHN COLTER TRAIL RUN START

THE STORY

John Colter was discharged from the Lewis & Clark expedition in 1806 to pursue trapping opportunities throughout Missouri River country and the greater Yellowstone area. In the fall of 1808, Colter and his partner at the time, John Potts, were trapping beaver in the Three Forks area. This area was inhabited by Blackfeet Indians. Potts and Colter avoided the Blackfeet by trapping at night and concealing themselves during the day.

Potts and Colter were discovered by the Blackfeet one morning. Potts attempted to flee downriver in their canoe and was wounded. Instead of returning to shore, Potts shot and killed one of the Blackfeet and was killed in return. Colter (who had not attempted to escape) was stripped naked, taken 300-400 yards out into a field, and told to save himself if he could. So Colter ran.

After several miles, Colter had outdistanced all but one of the Blackfeet who carried with him a spear.  The Indian had almost caught up to Colter when Colter stopped suddenly, turned around, and spread his arms. This was a surprise, causing his pursuer to fall while attempting to throw the spear. The spear broke in the ground and Colter seized the pointed end, killing the Indian with it. Colter continued running to the Madison River where he hid under a pile of driftwood while the Blackfeet continued their hunt for him. After dark, Colter slipped down river and began his journey toward safety. Exhausted, cold, and naked, Colter limped into Fort Lisa seven days later- 250 miles away on the Big Horn River.

The full account told by John Colter and published in an 1817 travel memoir by John Bradbury can be found here.

LOGO

JCRLogoGeneric

The logo is a stylized version of a welded steel sculpture by Montana artist Lyndon Pomeroy. The sculpture is titled “Colter’s Run” and is a part of the permanent collection held by the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.

Missouri Headwaters State Park – one mile south of Trident and about 6 miles northeast of Three Forks, MT.

Take Exit 278 off I-90. Follow signs to Headwaters State Park and Trident.
Parking is limited. Please carpool.

After the race, all are welcome to stay for a post-race party with a BBQ by Main Street Over Easy and special prizes for the fastest female, fastest male, and the first 50 runners who beat John Colter to the beaver dam!

JOHN_COLTER_RUN_MUSIC

This race promises to be an amazing time, don’t miss out!