
Big Sky, United States of America · Sunday 12 July 2026
The Big Sky Marathon is a road and trail marathon event that began in 2015 near Ennis, Montana, designed to meet the demand for a back-to-back marathon challenge in Montana, often drawing participants immediately after the Madison Marathon held the previous day. The event was created to appeal to running enthusiasts who seek extreme challenges and the opportunity to complete two marathons in a single weekend, a concept especially popular among members of running groups like the Marathon Maniacs.
Adjusted Time
3:56:57
Time difference: -3.0 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
On our difficulty model, Big Sky Marathon plays about 1 minute slower than an average road marathon for a 3:30 runner. It ranks #878 hardest of 1150 marathons we analyse, and #418 of 575 in United States of America. Use the calculator above to see the exact adjusted time for your own goal pace.
Estimated finish times on this course versus the same effort on an average road marathon, based on its elevation, surface, and expected race-day temperature.
| Average-course time | On Big Sky Marathon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00:00 | 2:55:23 | −04:37 |
| 3:30:00 | 3:26:01 | −03:59 |
| 4:00:00 | 3:56:57 | −03:03 |
| 4:30:00 | 4:28:10 | −01:50 |
| 5:00:00 | 4:59:36 | −00:24 |
| 5:30:00 | 5:31:16 | +01:16 |
| 6:00:00 | 6:03:08 | +03:08 |
Use the calculator above for your exact goal time. Want a prediction from your own training? Try the marathon time predictor.
Big Sky Marathon is a full marathon held in Big Sky, United States of America. It is scheduled for Sunday 12 July 2026. The course is run on road surface with 208m of total climbing and around 1234m of descent (a net drop of roughly 1026m), with its high point near 2600m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Big Sky Marathon website.
This is a net-downhill course: it descends roughly 1026m more than it climbs (208m of ascent against about 1234m of descent), dropping from a high point near 2600m toward 1569m above sea level. Point-to-point downhill courses like this are among the fastest available for a personal best or a Boston qualifier - just be aware that sustained descending fatigues the quads late in the race, so ease off early and do some downhill running in training.
Based on historical weather data for July, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Moderate temperatures between 9°C and 27°C are expected. While comfortable for most runners, those targeting fast times should pay attention to hydration, as these temperatures can impact performance on race day. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.
Big Sky Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for racing. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for a personal best.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Big Sky Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
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