Sunday, September 8, 2024 ~ 11:00 a.m.
Mt. Helena Ridge Trailhead
Register at UltraSignup
Race Format and Distance
Runners who have participated in BQuickRunning’s South Hills Annual Trail Series (or “SHATS”) will be familiar with this race, which now takes place earlier in the fall for more pleasant weather!
The race was extended to approximately 7.5 miles (12k) in 2023 and now finishes in historic downtown Helena. There’s an awards ceremony and a free beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) one block away at Blackfoot River Brewing.
As in past years, the race will be in a modified time-trial or pursuit format, with slower runners starting several minutes earlier than faster runners (based on recent 10k or 12k times). Faster runners then will try and catch everyone else before the finish line. It’s a fun format you won’t want to miss!
To Register
Sign up online at UltraSignup.com. Early-bird pricing ($50) ends April 30, 2024 | $65 thereafter
Race-day registration will be available! Bring $65 in cash to sign up at the packet pickup table at Heritage Park between 9 – 10 am.
Parking, Packet Pickup and Carpooling Info
Parking: Use either the large lot across S Park Avenue from the public library, or on-street parking. Please don’t park in the library’s lot. Heritage Park is the small, grassy area adjacent to Reeder’s Alley and the Pioneer Cabin, and this is where the finish line will be.
Packet pickup: 9:00 – 10:00 am at Heritage Park. From there, carpooling up to the trailhead is a must, as parking is limited. Decide amongst yourselves who is willing to take 3-4 people to the start in their vehicle. It takes 15-20 minutes to drive there.
Pre-race briefing: 10:45 am at the trailhead, located at 5051 Prospector Gulch Rd, about 5.5 miles southwest of (and uphill from) Helena. Here’s a link on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/noM7s3Rmn6QTBsFo6.
After the race, anyone who’s willing to shuttle the carpool drivers back up to the trailhead to retrieve their vehicles will get extra high-fives and kudos! 🙂
The Course
The beginning of the Mt Helena Ridge trail has been reconfigured to reach the ridge from the parking lot. It is now less steep than in past years! After the initial climb, you’ll simply follow the trail for about 5 rolling but mostly downhill miles, at which point someone will direct you to turn right onto Dump Gulch trail. That trail will take you up and over a tough little hill, but then it’s literally downhill from there — but watch for flagging for a left-hand turn!
Dump Gulch will merge with McKelvey trail. When you reach the bottom (Dump Gulch Trailhead at Grizzly Gulch Rd), you’ll continue left (downhill) on Grizzly Gulch Rd for one final, fast mile on pavement, finishing at Heritage Park in Helena’s historic downtown. Click here for course map
Awards ceremony to be held at Blackfoot River Brewing after the race! Runners who show their race bib will receive one complimentary beverage.
* * * * * SERIES PRIZES * * * * *
Run AT LEAST THREE of BQuickRunning’s four Summer 2024 events to be eligible for a South Hills Annual Trail Series (SHATS) prize! Eligible races are listed below:
- July 13, 2024: Thunderbolt Creek 12k or 30k
- July 27, 2024: Little Blackfoot 10k or 20k
- August 24, 2024: Dark Knight 5k (NOTE – this is a night race)
- September 8, 2024: Ridge Rumble 12k
RESULTS
Looking for past SHATS series results (2005 – 2022)? Click here