Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run
Kick off the trail running season
in the heart of Downtown Helena at Pioneer Park
RETURNING SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023
This race began 23 years ago—what started off as a small gathering to grow excitement for open space is now a major recreation event for people of all ages.
This iconic event has something for everyone; whether pushing through the 30K dash, scrambling through hills and trees with the 5K or 12K races, or taking time to sniff the wild roses in the non-competitive 5K Dog Walk, all are invited to celebrate our local wild lands and our connection to them. Stick around afterwards for a party in the park with food, live music, and family-friendly fun.
Funds raised from this race support the South Hills Trail system and open lands! It’s all about coming together, celebrating our unifying love of the outdoors and running wild.
Register now for the 30K, 12K, 5K races or the 5k dog walk. Kids under 13 run for free!
5k Dog Walk
Love to walk your dog?
Your dog loves to walk you?
Great! Grab the leash and hit the 5k course— celebrate with afterwards with pet-friendly stations at the park.
5K Course
Trail Map
Elevation Gain: nearly 502 ft
Mileage: 3.2 mile course
12K Course
Trail Map
Elevation Gain: nearly 1,400 ft
Mileage: 7.2 mile course
30K Course
Trail Map
Elevation Gain: 3,935 ft
Mileage: 18.43 mile course
Packet Pickup
Blackfoot River Brewing Company
66 South Park Avenue
Friday, May 12th
2:00-6:00 pm
Swing by Blackfoot River Brewing Company for packet pickup! Be sure to taste-test the refreshing, ‘E-Trail’ Pale Ale—which was brewed to commemorate the trail work of Emmett Purcell in Helena’s open space trail system. Emmett is a retired Blackfoot assistant brewer, outdoor enthusiast, and trail builder for the Prickly Pear Land Trust. E-Trail is a classic American Pale Ale is brewed with Simcoe and Citra hops that add notes of citrus and stone fruit, cheers!
All Hands On Deck
We need all the help we can get to pull off the much-anticipated Don’t Fence Me In trail run!
The more the merrier and we promise you’ll love volunteering at this beloved event. From helping runners safely cross the road to handing out water, there is a job for anyone interested in a feel good opportunity.
Did we mention there is free Blackfoot River beer for the helpers…
Sign up HERE or get more information and email [email protected]
Race Day Timeline
6:30 am 30k Packet Pickup Begins
7:30 am 30k Starts
8:00 am Race Day Registration/ Packet Pickup Begins for 12K, 5K and 5K Dog-Walk
10:00 am 12k Starts
10:30 am 5k Starts
10:45 am 5k Dog Walk Starts
11:00 am- 1:00 pm Party In Pioneer Park with Beer, Food & Music
Noon-ish Announcements and Awards
Award Categories
There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards for the fastest males and females in each distance of the established 30K, 12K, and 5K courses. See course maps for all details.
Rules and Guidelines
- Registration fees goes directly to Prickly Pear Land Trust’s trail and conservation work!
- Please follow ALL of PPLT’s Trail Tip for proper trail etiquette.
- All participants must follow the instructions of event officials, which includes PPLT staff and/or volunteers.
- Any participant who conducts themselves in an unsportsmanlike manner or who exhibits offensive behavior or language to event officials, PPLT staff, and/or volunteers may be disqualified.
- Your official finish time is recorded by the timing system from when you cross the starting line to when you cross the finish line. This time determines the order of finish and age-group award winners.
- Follow all pedestrian safety ordinances including running on a sidewalk where available and not in the road. Follow the rules of the road if no sidewalk or multi-use trail is available and run against oncoming traffic and not with traffic.
- Photographs, personal data provided during registration and post-event reporting, video or audio recordings, or any other record of this event for any legitimate purpose may be used by PPLT.
- NO REFUNDS*
Support our Trails - Support a TrailRaiser
Keep us trekking along—become a PPLT TrailRaiser! In order for Prickly Pear Land Trust to reach its funding targets for 2023 and continue its mission of connecting land and people through trails and open space, we need you to get us across the finish line. By becoming a TrailRaiser and getting friends and family to donate in your name, you will make a genuine difference in this community and involve more of the community at the same time.
We have had such wonderful TrailRaisers in the past! And every single person, child, or pup has their own reasons to support PPLT—whether they use the trails to get or stay in shape, walk the park for sunshine and fresh air, enjoy learning about the efforts to protect bird and elk habitat, or just love the opportunity to do some real work on our service days. What’s your reason?
Tell your friends and family why local community and conservation are important for you and how they can support it too. Organize a group and TrailRaise together, or sprint ahead on your own. Either way, we have some perks for those who are willing to put in a little extra mileage on PPLT’s behalf. For those who raise:
- Top Trailraiser- Stio Vest with embroidered PPLT logo, and a metal South Hills Trail Map wall hanging
- Raise $350 – your trail run registration fee will be refunded
- Raise $100 – PPLT’s new South Hills Trails neck Buff
