Course Information

Course Information
Before you read any of this race information – please Be sure you have read this first.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The event is an “out-and-back” course beginning and ending at Big Fork Community Center ( See Google Map). The course utilizes the roads (Hwy 8, County Rd 83, and Forest Rd B15) between Big Fork Community Center and the Athens Big Fork Northern Trailhead, with the remaining course consisting of the full length of the Athens Big Fork Trail to the Southern end with a half mile on Forest Rd B23F also at the Southern end of the trail before turning around for the return. Although the Athens Big Fork Trail is permanently blazed, additional directional markers (spray chalk, flour, and orange cones at road intersections) will be placed.

The Athens-Big Fork Trail Marathon and Blaylock Creek 17 Mile Fun Run take place on the Athens-Big Fork Trail. This is actually > 100 year old horse postal trail. After running this, you will wish you had a horse!

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

Google Maps Driving Directions to race start.

CURRENT COURSE RECORDS:

Marathon
– 2021 (M)TJ David 4:07:48
– 2021 (F) Zoe Rom 4:58:11

17 Mile Fun Run
– 2015 (M) Bob Sikes 2:07:00
– 2013 (F) Jeanie Zelinski 3:00:00

COURSE MAP:

COURSE DETAILS:

The course is an out and back course. You first run 2-1/2 miles on roads – paved and gravel up to the start of the trail. Then you enter the Athens-Big Fork Trail – White Blazes. Follow the trail over eight mountains. The eight mountain crossings on the trail are:

      1. Missouri
      2. Hurricane Knob
      3. McKinley
      4. Brier Creek
      5. Leader
      6. Brushheap
      7. Brushy
      8. Big Tom

You pop out of the trail and need to go about a half mile down the gravel road to get your full 13.1. Then you turn around and go back. It’s that easy!
The 17 Mile Blaylock Creek Fun Run only gets to run half of the hills. You will turn around at the Aid Station just across Blaylock Creek.

What this means to you the runner. Here are some statistics for you to consider – this is the “out” of the out and back:
Max Elevation: 1850
Min Elevation: 1050
Climbing Elevation Gain: 7000 feet

Elevation profile for first half (from Start to Turnaround at mile 13.1):