2nd Annual Running of the Bulls Trail Race

Runners, take your marks, it’s time to show what you’re made of! The 2nd Annual Running of the Bulls Trail Race returns as part of Big Sky’s Biggest Week. This scenic trail race winds through the heart of Big Sky along dirt paths and single-track terrain. In partnership with the Big Sky Community Organization, all routes traverse BSCO’s dynamic trail system, offering sweeping views and varied terrain.

Whether you’re pushing for a personal record or running for fun with friends, there’s a race for every competitor. Choose from a 21K, 11K, or 5K Relay for teams of three.

The event takes place Sunday, July 12 at the Big Sky Events Arena, the central hub for packet pickup, the start and finish lines, and post-race celebrations featuring sponsor activations, food trucks and the awards presentation.

Join us for a day of running, camaraderie, and community and discover what the trails of Big Sky have in store for you!

11K Runners

• Please review your course online so you’re familiar with your location/surroundings.

• You must have Bear Spray. Big Sky Chamber has rentals.

• Your course will have signs, flags, and neon tape to follow along the course.

• Your race starts at 7:10am Sharp. Please be at the start line for the race briefing at 7:05am.

• You will have a flagger directing you at mile .5 to turn left on to Streamside Way. You will have a flagger at mile .8  to turn left onto Sunrise View Way. 

• Bring a reusable cup. This is a cupless event.

• Hummocks/Uplands Aid Station has water/electrolytes and snacks. You will pass this aid station twice. Mile 2 and mile 6.3. 

Race Registration Includes

• Race bib/chip and finishers metal

• Timing and posted results with Competitive Timing

• Race photos

• Products from sponsors

• Aid station support

Course Description

Runners will begin their race at the Big Sky Events Arena headed west. You will turn left on to Simkins Drive and follow until you meet Ousel Falls Road. You will turn left on the gravel trail and run to Streamside Way. A flagger will direct you to turn left. Another flagger will be at Sunrise View Road to direct you left up to Misty Way. You will stay left until you join Uplands/Hummocks Trailhead where your 1st Aid Station will be. You will turn right and climb to the top of Uplands following arrow signs, course flags, and neon tape. At mile 4, you will be at a 4 way intersection. You will stay RIGHT following signs. This connector will bring you to the Hummocks loop (stay right). At mile 5.1 you will turn LEFT until the final connector trail at mile 5.3 (turn right). This will bring you back to Uplands and head to your aid station at mile 6.3. Then you run up to the Arena via Aspen Leaf for an uphill finish!  This course is viewable on the race website with a strava link. Please email our race contact above with any questions.

21K Runners

• Please review the course online so you’re familiar with the location/surroundings.

• You must have Bear Spray. Big Sky Chamber has rentals.

• Your course will have signs, flags, and neon tape to follow along the course.

• Your race starts at 7:00am sharp. Please be at the start line for the race briefing at 6:55am.

• You have a mountain bike lead for this race. They will lead the front runner the entire course. 

• You will have someone directing you at mile 3.3 from Yellow Mule up onto Yellow Mule Trail Road (you are on pavement for 500 feet). This brings you to Fish Camp Road access (Spanish Peaks).

• Bring a reusable cup. This is a cupless event.

• CUT OFF: You must pass through Fishcamp Aid Station (mile 4.2) by 8:30am. If you arrive after 8:30, you will be asked to turn around and head back to the start/finish. This is for your safety. Fish Camp Aid Station has water/electrolytes, snacks, and medical personnel. You will pass this aid station twice. Mile 4.2 and mile 11.2. 

Race Registration Includes

• Race bib/chip and finishers metal

• Timing and posted results with Competitive Timing

• Race photos

• Products from sponsors

• Aid station support

Course Description

Runners will begin their race out of the Big Sky Events Arena headed west. They will turn left on to Simkins Drive and follow until they meet the Ousel Falls Trail Road. You will take the gravel trail to Ousel Falls Trailhead. You will fork left at Yellow Mule Trail and continue to Yellow Mule Trail Road. A Flagger will direct you to turn right to connect up to Fish Camp Road access. You will take the service road down to the creek where your Fish Camp aid station is located. You will head left and climb Fish Camp Trail up towards Spanish Peaks. At mile 6.5 you will cross S Fork Road. There will be a security truck to help with traffic. Once you’ve crossed, you’ll stay right. At mile 8.8, there will be another security truck directing traffic as you cross S Fork Road for the second time. Then you will descend down, crossing Ousel Falls Road at mile 10.4. You will connect back to Fish Camp Aid Station at mile 11.2 and head back the way you came. The Yellow Mule flagger will no longer be stationed so please follow flags/signs/colored tape. This course is viewable on the race website with a strava link. Please email our race contact above with any questions.

5K Relay Runners

• Please review your course online so you’re familiar with your location/surroundings.

• You must have Bear Spray. Big Sky Chamber has rentals. Since this is a relay, one bear spray per team is fine, just pass it like a baton.

• Your course will have signs, flags, and neon tape to follow along the course.

• Your race starts at 7:20am sharp. Please be at the start line for the race briefing at 7:15am.

• You will each have your own bib so you will have an individual time and also a team finish time.

• You will each run the same 3.1 miles with 400 ft of vertical gain.

• Your course runs through Hummocks only.

• Please watch for traffic on Aspen Leaf Drive.

• Bring a reusable cup. This is a cupless event.

• Hummocks/Uplands Aid Station has water/electrolytes and snacks. You will pass this aid station twice. Mile .5 and mile 2.3. 

Race Registration Includes

• Race bib/chip and finishers metal

• Timing and posted results with Competitive Timing

• Race photos

• Products from sponsors

• Aid station support

Course Description

Runners will begin their race at Big Sky Events Arena headed East on to Aspen Leaf Drive. You will run .5 miles to the Uplands/Hummocks trailhead where you’ll see your aid station. You will follow signs/ flags/ and neon tape East to the Hummocks/Uplands connector trail. You will turn left. Once you reach Hummocks Loop (mile 1.1). Turn right on to loop. In about 30 feet, you’ll turn left on to the Hummocks SHORTCUT trail. Turn left and connect to Hummocks loop. At mile 1.5 you’ll stay right to head back to the trailhead and see your aid station for the second time (mile 2.3). Turn right on to Aspen Leaf and finish your leg of the relay back to Arena! his course is viewable on the race website with a strava link. Please email our race contact above with any questions.

Course Rules

• Although these races take place on maintained trails, each race will encounter uneven/rocky terrain. You must be willing and able to navigate trails with changing weather and/or conditions. Each course will have multiple aid stations at the racers disposal that are equipped with water, snacks, first aid, and medical personnel. 

• There will be no pacers for any race.

• We love spectators and encourage family/friends to cheer their people on from the start/finish line only. Due to the nature of the courses and limited parking, please do not drive and park anywhere along Ousel Falls road or Aspen Leaf Drive. We will have runners and aid stations crews moving on these roads.

• We ask that the public refrain from using BSCO trails until after all races are finished at approximately 12:00pm.

• Runners are responsible for their own behavior and actions of their spectators. 

• There are no refunds allowed for this race for any reason. If you are signed up for a race currently and wish to drop down to a shorter distance or team event, you may do so before July 12th in Runsignup. There will be no refunds for changing distance or event.

• We love dogs but you may not run with a dog (even on leash) for any race due to the nature of the courses and the safety of all runners. All dogs must remain on leash at the start/finish line and please pick up after your pet.

21K and 11K Racer Requirements

• Phone or GPS 

• Bear spray 

• Minimum of 16 oz water

5K Relay Racer Requirements

• Bear spray 

Highly Recommended Items for All Racers

• Sunscreen

• Hat/sun protection

• Nutrition 

• Collapsible/reusable cup (this is a cupless event)

Saturday July 11th, 2026 - Big Sky Events Arena

• 4:00pm-6:00pm: Packet pickup and last minute registration available 

Sunday July 12th, 2026 - Big Sky Events Arena

• 5:30am-7:00am: Packet pick up and same day registration available

• 6:30am: Announcement for 21K to start in 30 minutes

• 6:50am: Call 21K runners to the start line for briefing

• 6:59am: 1 minute Warning

• 7:00am: Gun goes off for 21K start

• 7:20am: Call 11K runners to the start line for briefing

• 7:29am: 1 minute warning

• 7:30am: Gun goes off for 11K start

• 7:45am: Call 5K relay runners to the start line for briefing

• 7:59am: 1 minute warning

• 8:00am: Gun goes off 5K relay start

• Timing TBD: Awards for each race will begin when the top three finishers from a race arrive back at the Big Sky Events Arena