Every September, trail runners from across the country gather in Big Sky, Montana for The Rut: three days of running and fun. There are six different events over three days including a 50K, a 28k, and a 1K for parents and kids! The event is community focused and a chance to celebrate the end of summer with a fun weekend outside. This fall, four members of the Overland year round team participated in the race and many friends, family members, and co-workers from the Overland office went out to support! I asked each of them to reflect on their experiences with the Rut this year.
Brooks Brown – Trip Planning
When I first moved to Bozeman, I kept hearing whispers about this mysterious race called The Rut. It carried a kind of legendary status—equal parts local folklore and shared trauma among trail runners. Naturally, curiosity got the better of me. So, when early registration for the 2025 race opened in January, I went all in and signed up for the 50k. No hesitation, no second thoughts—just me pushing all my chips to the center of the table.
The 50k isn’t just a jog in the park—it’s 30.3 miles of running, 11,000 feet of climbing, and (because apparently climbing wasn’t enough) another 11,000 feet of descent, all wrapped up around Big Sky Resort. To most people, and to me, this sounded absolutely bonkers. But that’s also what drew me in. I wanted to see where my physical, mental, and emotional limits really lived. Spoiler alert: I found them—right around the finish line.
It’s tough to pick a single highlight from the weekend because the whole experience was incredible. I loved spectating on Saturday and cheering friends across the finish line. I loved the feeling of climbing Lone Peak surrounded by a train of fellow runners, all equally determined (and equally out of breath). And maybe most importantly, I loved sharing the weekend with my family, who showed up in full force to support me.
Emma Wheeler – Leader Hiring
I signed up for the Rut because everyone in the office was signing up and I knew it would be a good excuse to go cheer everyone on! I had no idea what to expect for my 11k race, as I didn’t train for it at all, but I had SO much fun! Although I wasn’t competing for any podium spots, it felt so good to be out on the trail. I loved watching my friends absolutely crush the 28k and 50k, and I was so grateful for the beautiful views on the 11k course. All in all, the weekend was a blast and a great excuse to watch some top tier athletes do amazing things!
Luke Costley – Director
I first ran the Rut in 2021, during one of my first visits to Bozeman. I remember going to Wild Crumb and Little Star Diner for the first time on that trip, and when I ran the race at Big Sky I had no idea where I was going or what to expect. Now, with a year of life in Bozeman under my belt, the Rut was a totally different experience: it felt like a big celebration of the Bozeman running community. My race itself was a bit of a mess, but the whole weekend was a joy to be a part of. People trying hard, doing challenging things, and cheering each other on — how wonderful!
Katie Cullen – Admissions
I knew the Rut was the quintessential Montana running event, so even though I wasn’t running the race, I wanted to take in the energy of the weekend and support my Overland teammates who were running! On both Saturday and Sunday, I drove down from Bozeman to Big Sky to spectate during the 11k, 28k, and 50k races. I had plans to cheer people on at the start of the race and then go off for a quick hike before watching them finish, but I ended up hanging out around the start and finish area all day because there was so much to do; From enjoying music to checking out all of the cool sponsors, I had endless ways to enjoy the day right in front of me. When runners began finishing their respective races, the “audience” felt a constant stream of energy, watching runners barrel down the mountain and sprint towards the finish line. The best parts were cheering loudly as each of my friends ran across the finish line!
Will Savage – Admissions
After hearing friends talk about running the Rut in September of 2024, I thought it might be fun to try and run the race in 2025. Having so many friends also sign up this year encouraged me to give it a shot – at least I would have someone to run with! The race exceeded expectations. Not only was the course well marked, rewarding you with great views throughout, but the atmosphere was unparalleled! You could hear people cheering from aid stations or viewpoints long before you ever saw them and once you did see them, the energy was contagious. People were yelling, cheering, hitting cowbells, playing music, and altogether making the entire day feel like a celebration. Without the energy from the spectators and volunteers, I would have had a much longer day! Of course, the pickles, Ruffles, and gummy candy at the aid stations certainly helped! I stuck around and watched Brooks and Emma run the 50K and 11K, respectively, the next day which proved to be just as exciting as running.
If you haven’t heard of the Rut I would definitely check it out! And if your community has a local race, of any distance, I would recommend that you consider signing up to participate, volunteer, or just go and watch! You won’t regret it.
