The Bridger Ridge Run takes place on August 15, 2026, in Bozeman, Montana, starting from the Fairy Lake Trailhead at 6:30 AM. This trail running event covers 19.9 miles, making it a significant endurance challenge for runners seeking mountain terrain in the northern Rockies. The early morning start gives participants the advantage of cooler conditions during peak running hours. Entry is priced at $120. Runners traveling to Bozeman for this event will want accommodations close to the Fairy Lake Trailhead to minimize pre-race logistics and allow for adequate rest before the early start.
From the Race Organizer
The Ed Anacker Bridger Ridge Run is a remote and aesthetic ~20 mile foot-race along the crest of the Bridger Mountains, near Bozeman in Southwest Montana. It is a not-for-profit event enabled by about as many volunteers as participants. The Bridger Ridge Run is put on & sponsored by the Big Sky Wind Drinkers , which is a premier running club for runners of all ages and abilities. Some videos, photos, and history of this event can be found on this Big Sky Wind Drinkers webpage. Remote and Technical! Essentially the entire route involves unstable footing, challenging ascents, brutal descents, and unpredictable weather along an exposed ridge. Experience with mountain running is important. No part of the route can be accessed by a road. All supplies, including water, are hauled to Aid Stations through human volunteering. Aid Stations will carefully track each participant's progress, and will have limited medical teams, supplies, and snacks. Except for water, we expect each participant to carry what they think they'll need. Note: the race is "cupless" (ie, Aid Stations will not have cups). We expect each participant to carry a water vessel, which can be filled at each Aid Station. Volunteering This entire event is enabled through volunteer effort. We offer a diversity of volunteering opportunities -- some well in advance of the event, and some during the event. Check out our Volunteer page for specific opportunities. Our registration process is designed to reward and incentivize volunteering for this event. Volunteering within a given season is a promising way to all-but-ensure entry into the following season's event. Registration Process (See the Registration Process page for more details.) The number of participants is limited to 250, as per the permit we receive from the US Forest Service. So we developed an application process intended to offer broad participation in this special event while also rewarding volunteering, local non-profit organizations, and general commitment to our community. We intend for this process to be fair and supportive of the spirit of the Bridger Ridge Run. Anybody seeking to register for this event must submit an application to our lottery. This amounts to answering a series of prompts and entering a valid credit card. If an applicant is not selected through the lottery process, their card will not be charged. All applicants will be notified of their status before the close of May, shortly after the registration window closes. Note: we do not use a "Wait List". We will send periodic emails to registered participants with detailed instructions, information, and policies about the event. We expect registered participants to receive and read such emails. Cancellation Policies If, for any reason, a registered participant cancels their participation in the race after they sign up, they will not be granted a refund. This event is committed to complying with governmental guidelines. For instance, we may impose strict rules of participation, or cancel the event altogether, due to a forest fire or due to CDC guidelines. If, for some reason, we cancel the race, registered participants will have these options: “Roll-over” their registration to the following year. Donate their registration fee (and still get swag). Note: as a non-profit event, all unused proceeds are donated to Big Sky Wind Drinkers and to the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, both of which are non-profit organizations that enable trail use and stewardship in the area, as well as other regional non-profit organizations. Pre-Race Meeting Participants, especially first-timers, are strongly advised to attend the pre-race meeting which will take place at 5:30pm the Friday before the Start at the Fish Hatchery (ie, Finish Line, near the Drinking Horse Trailhead). This meeting will cover all sorts of specific information, including the following: Up-to-date conditions and weather prediction. Discussion of lightning hazard, and how to mitigate it. Description of the route, and answers to questions or concerns thereabout. Race rules, including disqualification policies. Description of Aid Stations, including the medical support and snacks and water present at each. Discussion of race-day logistics, including how to arrive at the Start Line. Much more ... this meeting is an opportunity to ask questions, and connect with other participants -- it is informative and energizing! Start Line Logistics The race starts at 6:30am at the Fairy Lake Trailhead, which is a 45-minute drive from the Finish, the final 25 minutes of which is along a dirt road requiring a high-clearance vehicle. Each participant must arrange their own transport to the Start Line. There is no shuttle to the Start line from either the Finish Line or the parking area at HRDC. After the race, there is no shuttle from the Finish Line back to the Start Line. All participants are encouraged to park their vehicles at HRDC (206 E Griffin Dr), and self-organize carpooling to the Start
