Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run

Kick off the trail running season

in the heart of Downtown Helena at Pioneer Park

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024

This race began 24 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!

Registration Scholarship Now Available

We are now offering need-based registration scholarships for the Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run on Saturday, May 11. The Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run Registration Scholarship removes financial barriers that may prohibit community members from participating in the event. The scholarship allows PPLT to expand partnerships with new groups, reach underserved populations, and potentially pair grant-making organizations interested in breaking down financial barriers to outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles.

Please apply and share the news!

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 10
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

Details coming soon

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

Calling All TrailRaisers!

Don’t Fence Me In supports trails, parks, and conservation work in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Powell, and Broadwater counties. TrailRaisers go above and beyond race day for the trails and community they love! We’ve set a $10,000 goal for TrailRaisers in 2024, and we hope you’ll help us meet it. Organize a group and TrailRaise together, sprint ahead on your own, or support another TrailRaiser. Either way, we have some perks for those who are willing to put in a little extra mileage on PPLT’s behalf.

Top TrailRaiser (Individual or Team Captain) – Happy Trails Gift Package ($200 value)
Runner-up TrailRaiser – Room to Roam Gift Package ($100 value)

Join the TrailRaiser team today!

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