Race: Whitefish Marathon
Runner: Jenny Windham
Race Date: 05/18/2024
Location: Whitefish, MT
Result: 5:49:12
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
- Beautiful mountain scenery – a nice blend of town and more rural/remote areas
- The town – Whitefish had a fun ski- and lake-town vibe about it
- Shops and restaurants were great for spectators, as well as post-race
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
There were quite a few hills during the race, but we knew this going in, and the added challenge made finishing that much more rewarding!
Unfortunately, there were only 9 port-a-potties at the start for all the runners in the marathon, half, and 5km, so this caused a long line. Also, the course marking could have been more consistent and frequent.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
Not really weird, more so surprising is that there were no pacers, bag drop, or live tracking.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
Part of it was luck: I didn’t feel any blisters until around mile 20, and also the temperatures stayed cool enough to be manageable and removed any stress about dehydration and electrolytes. The scenery was nice, from the open farm land to the Whitefish Lake State Beach, and the Big Mountain resort, there was lots to see. While the hills were a challenge, a highlight was the extra satisfaction of finishing, not to mention being able to keep going while others are walking as I’d paced myself well.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Don’t underestimate the hills! They don’t look very intense on the Whitefish Marathon course map, but when you have a bunch of them, and start to get fatigued, they really eat away your pace and energy. I intentionally saved my energy the first half to be able to use it the final half.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
Nothing really new for me personally. I know the area, so similar to a familiar road trip, it helps knowing what’s ahead, as well as reliving fun memories from other visits. If you have a chance to visit beforehand, or even just a couple of days, it might be good to drive the course roads, and also to pick out some areas you’d like to visit and relax at afterwards. The lines were long at the vendor area, so some friends of mine who ran the half and finished hours earlier, ended up driving home rather than sticking around.
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
While there were plenty of aid stations with friendly volunteers and course monitors, the course is much less marked from miles 14-26. At the half/full marathon course split, instead of spray painted arrows on the road, they began using stickers which were not as pronounced/obvious. The Whitefish Marathon course was a big loop for the first half, then a small out and back the next few miles, before a bigger out and back the last few miles. Only one lane of the road is blocked off for runners, so you need to be watching for traffic as well as any congested areas. There was a point by Logan Health where it was so packed that we struggled to fit within the one lane, and you had to weave around people or slow a bit to let oncoming faster runners pass by. At other times, you were the only one around, leaving me wondering if I was even heading the right direction; I used the strategy of continuing to run straight or stay on that road until I saw a sign saying to turn.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
Very pretty! There are also some residential areas which add variety to the course: this one has a bit of city, country, and some hills.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
26.2 miles is never easy, but I wouldn’t say this course is any more tough than most. That said, the hills can be character-building, especially if you don’t have any to train on in your area. The elevation isn’t too high compared to the surrounding town and region, but if you’re coming from lower sea level you’ll want to build more stamina into your training plan with whatever you have to work with.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Packet pickup was a breeze, and there was no line when I came. The course and vendors were all setup and race started on time. There was good communication ahead of race day, with updates on their Facebook or Instagram pages.
I found the results and photos on their Instagram page: I never received an email or notification. Overall, I’d give it a 9/10: not the best I’ve ever experienced, but everything was satisfactory and I’d run it again.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Oh yes! The Whitefish Marathon is a Boston Qualifier, and the only one in the area, so there are thousands of participants. The popularity of this race has been exponential within the last few years, and runners visit from near and far. Most running in this area is on the trails, add to that the other adventurous sports nearby like skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, kayaking, camping, and it’s a pretty fit crowd.
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Book any hotel and airfare as soon as you plan to register. The hotel I wanted to stay at to be close by to the race start was booked since December (for a late May race) when I checked. Lots of people come to the area during the spring, excited to get out and adventure!
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
Just water and Hammer products (gels and Heed electrolytes) at the aid stations. Personally, I prefer a different brand of gels and electrolytes, so I was sure to carry that. I also brought pickle juice, which really helped between my electrolyte and gel fuel breaks. If you have coconut water or your favorite recovery drink/protein bar/snack in your vehicle, that also can be nice for post-race. I had to drive myself home afterwards, and when you’re tired and sore, having something to eat and drink in your car is advisable to ensure that you have enough energy and extra water to get home!
Weather and typical race conditions
It can be a mix! On race day this year it was chilly in the early morning, warm and sunny a couple hours later, then drizzling and overcast at the end. Certainly prepare for all conditions: bring layers, as you would any spring day out.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Bring a range of clothes: hoodies and any gloves, buffs, hats or headbands, arm sleeves for morning. If you have a family or friend, you can have them meet you somewhere to hand them off later. I just brought a hoodie and tied it around my waist. I carried a water bottle and wore a running belt; some prefer to wear a vest or hydration pack. As always, practice with different things to find what you prefer. At the aid stations, I’d get a cup of water and fill up my small water bottle, then drink the rest and continue on. Think about your plan for aid stations ahead of time.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Very! There are no road closures and it’s not too crowded for parking or meeting up.
How’s the Swag?
Minimal, but I’m not a huge swag fan. The t-shirt was soft fabric, and the same color for the Whitefish Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5km races. The medals were nice though. Aside from the bib and some Hammer fuel samples, that was about it: nothing over the top here in Montana, we prefer it that way! 🙂
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
If you’re looking for a road marathon in the area, the Whitefish Marathon is the only one around unless you wait until the Fall.
Got the marathon bug like Jenny? Check out this article: “How to PR in the Marathon“.