Dog Days Ultra

DETAILS & GUIDELINES

EVENT MAP

→ LINK TO FULL SITE MAP & PARKING

→ RACE DAY LIVE TRACKING

 

DATE

Saturday & Sunday, August 22-23, 2026

START/FINISH

The start and finish lines are the same! The start/finish line, located on the single (small) hill of the course, will be marked by a large arch with a chip-based timing mat. The primary aid station will be located by the start/finish line.

WEATHER

During the second to last weekend of August in Missoula, expect warm, dry days and cool nights, with highs typically around 80*F and lows ranging from 54* down to 48*. This period generally features very pleasant, sunny weather with very little precipitation.

 

 

RELAY RULES

  • A 24-Hour Relay Team may have 2–6 members of any age or gender.
  • Runner transitions will be strictly enforced and may only occur in the designated relay exchange area near the start/finish zone.
  • From there, the next 24 hours are yours to design. Teams can swap runners every lap, every hour, every few hours—whatever strategy works best. Laps do not need to be evenly divided among team members. The only requirement is that all runner changes happen in the designated exchange area.
  • Each team will be assigned a Team Zone where runners can rest, refuel, and recharge between laps.
  • Have fun with it! Relay teams are encouraged to bring the energy—team names, costumes, themes, and creative setups in your Team Zone are all part of the experience. The more personality, the better.
  • No pacing! Team members must check out a Guest Bib (see below) if they want to accompany another runner from their team. (Reminder, you always have the options to switch runners at each lap)

SWAG

  • Custom Dog Days Ultra Finishers Medal
  • Official Dog Days Ultra Finishers T-shirt
  • Custom bib
  • Free race day photos!
  • Custom Speed Cup (we are a cupless race! – distributed at bib pickup)
  • Post Race BBQ + Party!

GOING FOR A HUNDO?! 100 MILERS!

Should you complete 100 miles (approx 60 laps) as a solo runner – you will receive a custom 100 Mile Dog Days Ultra Belt Buckle!

 

 

 

RECOMMENDED GEAR

Almost the entire course is exposed, with no shade, so be prepared for hot, sunny days and cool nights. While you will run through the main aid station once every 1.68 miles (where there will be 24/7 ice and ice baths available), you are still responsible for keeping yourself cool while away from base camp! There is no required gear, but we do recommend that you bring the following and either keep it on your person or keep it available in your drop bag/crew area:

  • Sun hat or head wrap (ideally with neck protection)
  • Vest or waist belt
  • Ice bandanna
  • Portable water bottles (collapsible or hand-held)
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Headlamp

CUPLESS EVENT

 This event is a cupless event, meaning… no paper cups at aid stations, no coffee cups, no bowl for your pickles. Please plan accordingly! We will provide all participants a collapsible HydraPak Speed Cup at bib pickup.  You may also fill your own hydration device (handheld, waist pack, bladder, etc.)  

DROP BAGS

All runners will be able to leave a personal drop bag at the start/finish line base camp area. You will be able to access your drop bag for the duration of the race. If you will be using a designated crew tent, please leave your drop bag there in order to save space in the drop bag area for those folks who do not have a crew tent.

CREWING

Crews are only permitted at the start/finish line base camp area. (Runners will be disqualified if they are crewed elsewhere on course.) There will be a designated crew tent area adjacent to the main base camp area. Please note that all crew members should be self-sufficient on race day! Aid station food and water are for runners only (except for planned shenanigans!).

CREW TENTS

Crew tent spots are only available to 24hr solo & relay/12hr/6hr runners. Crew tent spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 9:00 AM (No Early Birds!), and will be marked out. Crew camping during the event is permitted in this specified area, on the southwest side of the start/finish line area. These areas are not covered, and runners are encouraged to bring their own tents, canopies or EZ-Ups. Cars, vans, RVs or other ‘camping vehicles’ are NOT PERMITTED in the Crew area. 

→ MAP OF THE CREW AREA

No stoves or fires! Missoula County is in Stage II fire restrictions.

Flying in from out of town? Please see the Travel & Lodging page for information about accommodations and other facilities in the area.

Participants may begin setting up on Saturday morning (August 22) at 9:00 AM (No Early Birds!), three hours before the 24-hour start. You will not be allowed to access this area until 9:00 AM. Crew tents must be taken down by 4:00 PM on Sunday, August 23.

TIMING

Dog Days Ultra uses chip timing and splits with live tracking on the Competitive Timing website under LIVE RESULTS. We will announce laps/distance, names and team names the best we can as you come through the HQ area. 

→ RACE DAY LIVE TRACKING

 

LEAVING THE COURSE

There is one timing mat, at the start/finish area. You must cross the mat in order to complete the loop. If you leave the course (for example, if you are crewing yourself and go to your car in the parking lot), you MUST notify a race official at the start/finish line when you leave and come back. You do not need to notify course officials to go to the food tent, toilets or anwhere else in the Race HQ zone…. only when you leave the race deginated area.

PACERS

Pacers are not allowed for any of the races.

We understand that it is SUPER FUN to do laps with pals, so *Guest Bibs are available at race HQ by the start/finish line. Please note that guest bibs are NOT a substitute for pacing a runner, and race officials reserve the right to withhold a guest bib, or even disqualify a runner, if they observe a runner abusing the guest bib.  

Kindly adhere to this rule and don’t make us be the bad guys! 

Family members and friends who wish to accompany a runner for more than one lap are encouraged to register to participate as a 3, 6, 12 or 24-hour runner themselves.

*All guests must yield to registered runners on the course. 

Crewing, cheering, sign making, foot rubbing, blister popping, shoe tying, tough love and other moral support at Race HQ and in the Crew tent areas is A OK!

COURSE SNACKS

Things to expect in the way of snacks (but not limited to): Chips, PB&Js, Soda, Gummies, Peanut M&Ms, Pretzels, Pickles, Juice, Apple Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Cheese Quesadilla, Ramen, Broth, Oranges, Bananas, Watermelon, Oreos, Rice Crispy Treats, Bean Burritos. 

*We will do our best to accommodate allergy and dietary needs, however if you have restrictions, consider providing your own snacks so as to not sabotage your race! 

COURSE FUEL

ICE & WATER

Ice from VW Ice will be available for you to fill your hat, bra, shorts, whatever… but not your cooler. Bring your own ice for your personal cooler use, thank you for understanding. 

A Water Truck courtesy of Clearwater Systems will be on site for you to fill your bottles.

COURSE SAFETY

While this is a closed-loop course surrounded by fencing, it does have one driveway crossing at the entrance to the Big Sky Horse Park. This crossing will be well-marked with flags and traffic cones, but please use caution when crossing this driveway.

BIB PICKUP

ALL RACES

    • Friday, August 21 from 3:00-5:45 PM at Run Wild Missoula HQ; 125 East Main St. 
    • Saturday, August 22  at the Race Start from 9:00-11:00 AM Big Sky Park
    • Race Day packet pickup will end promptly at 11:00 AM on race morning.

6 HOUR ONLY

    • Sunday, August 23 at the Race Start from 5:15-5:45 AM
    • Race Day packet pickup will end promptly at 5:45 AM on race morning.

3 HOUR ONLY

    • Sunday, August 23 at the Race Start from 7:00-7:45 AM.
    • Race Day packet pickup will end promptly at 7:45 AM on race morning.

 

POLES

Trekking poles are only allowed for runners age 70+ or with special permission by race management.

AGE REQUIREMENT

12 & 24 Hour Solo participants be at minimum 14 years old. Should your child under 14 years wish to race, please email the race director.

DROPPING OUT

Remember, there are no DNF’s in a fixed-time race! The goal is to run as far as you can within the allotted time. For some, this may look like continuous movement–for others, it may involve breaks. Feel like you’re reaching your limit? We encourage you to take a nap, lounge in the ice bath, eat lots of food and get hydrated. If you decide that you’ve truly had enough, please be prepared to drop at the start/finish line base camp area. You will need to notify a race official and surrender your bib.

HEADPHONES

Headphones are allowed, but we highly recommend only using one earbud or using bone-conduction headphones so that you are able to remain aware of your surroundings and listen to instructions from race officials and volunteers. Please do not bring speakers or play music/audio out loud. We love that you want to hype yourself up (or distract yourself), but not everyone wants to hear what you’re listening to!

BIBS

Bibs must be visible on the front of the body for the entirety of the race. If wearing layers, be prepared to adjust your bib as needed. As noted in the “Pacers” section, 10 GUEST bibs will be available for family and friends of runners who wish to run a lap with their registered runner. These bib guidelines apply to both registered runners and guests.

PARKING

Parking is available in the paved parking lot next to the Little League baseball fields, by the corner of Tower St. and Spurgin Rd. Parking is also available in the the south field off Mavs Lane. We should have parking attendants to assist you. 

**PLEASE DO NOT PARK along Spurgin Road, 37th Avenue, or North Avenue West. These are primarily residential areas and we want to respect our neighbors!

→ See this MAP

DOGS

While we realize that this is called Dog Days Ultra–and at RWM we all love dogs!–no dogs are allowed on the race course. But spectators can have leashed fidos in the start/finish area.

STARTLINE SCHEDULE

24 HOUR

BOTH SOLO & RELAY OPTIONS

  • Pre-Race Briefing: 11:45 AM @ the start line [MANDATORY*] *Teams: only one teammate needs to attend
  • Start: 12:00 PM, Saturday, August 22
  • Finish: 12:00 PM, Sunday, August 23

12 HOUR

  • Pre-Race Briefing: 11:45 AM @ the start line [MANDATORY*] *Teams: only one teammate needs to attend
  • Start: 12:00 PM, Saturday, August 22
  • Finish: 12:00 AM (midnight), Sunday, August 23

6 HOUR

  • Pre-Race Briefing: 5:45 AM @ the start line [MANDATORY] 
  • Start: 6:00 AM, Sunday, August 23
  • Finish: 12:00 PM, Sunday, August 23

3 HOUR

  • Pre-Race Briefing: 7:45 AM @ the start line [MANDATORY] 
  • Start: 8:00 AM, Sunday, August 23
  • Finish: 11:00 AM, Sunday, August 23

ASSISTING A RUNNER IN NEED

If you encounter a runner in distress you must stop to assist them. Let’s be good humans! Time spent rendering assistance to a fellow runner will be considered by race organizers to adjust finishing time.

POST-RACE CELEBRATION

Sunday, August 23, 12:00 PM

All-American BBQ… Burgers, Dogs (hotdogs!) and veggie options too! 

Cold Beer! Tunes! 

AWARDS

There will be awards – we are just finagling what they are – stay tuned! 

Sunday, August 23, 12:20 PM – Awards Ceremony

All solo runners who reach 100 miles will be awarded their dope Dog Days Belt Buckle! 

SHIRT EXCHANGE

Yep! Participants are welcome to exchange their unworn 2026 race shirts at the Run Wild Missoula offices, at 125 East Main, beginning Monday, June 29, from 10:00 AM– 4:00 PM. Headed out of town? Send us an email. 

REFUND POLICY

Please consult this page.

RACE CANCELLATION

Please consult our Cancellation Policy.

TRANSGENDER ATHLETE & GENDER INCLUSION POLICIES

Please refer to the Run Wild Missoula Gender Inclusion Policy.

SAFETY COMMITMENT

The safety of our participants and volunteers is a top priority of Dog Days Ultra organizers. We also want to stress the opportunity to be good stewards of the land. Deviation from race guidelines can result in disqualification at the sole discretion of the race organizers. Thank you!