THE RUT 28K RACE
Saturday, September 16, 2023
In 2023 the Rut 28K, 50K, and VK will not access the Lone Peak summit due to tram construction. Do not despair, though, we have found a great course option that still gets you on the ridge ascent to Lone Peak and within spitting distance of the summit for all 3 events!
For the 28K & 50K, we will still go within a third of a mile and 700 vertical feet from the summit. Runners will then descend down a large scree slope and wrap around to the Dakota territory before connecting back into the original 28K and 50K courses. This section is only 2.3 miles in total. Overall course distances for 28K and 50K will be within a quarter mile distance and 600 vertical feet of gain of the original courses.
There are sections of this course, including the ascent and traverse of Headwaters ridge, as well as the ascent of Bone crusher ridge towards the summit of Lone Peak, which are extremely steep and technical with sections of exposure and rockfall hazard. The result of a fall in these sections could be injury or death. The responsibility falls on the participant to have the skills to traverse these areas safely. Do not let the distance fool you. This is a true mountain course so please treat it with the respect it deserves! We strongly encourage you to become familiar with the course terrain before registering for this event. If you are interested in the 28K but just don’t feel ready for it, we suggest checking out our new Rut 20K course.
*MANDATORY GEAR IS REQUIRED FOR ALL 50K & 28K RUT RUNNERS. LEARN MORE HERE
OnX Backcountry 28K Map
2023 Summit Reroute Map
Aid Stations & Cut-off Times (We are a cupless event)
There are 3 fully stocked and 1 water-only aid station along the 28K course. They will be supplied with water, Skratch Labs goodies, sweet and salty snacks, first aid, and energetic volunteers!
- Headwaters Bowl: (Mile 3.9) (Cut off time of 10:15 AM)
- Swiftcurrent: (Mile 9.1) (Cut off time of 12:15 PM)
- Dakota (Water Only): (Mile 11.8) (Cut off time of 2:15 PM)
- Moosetracks: (Mile 14.2) (Cut off time of 3:15 PM)
- Finish Line: (Mile 17.5) (Cut off time of 4:30 PM)
- Cut-off times will be strictly enforced for the safety of the runners and the volunteers.
Skratch Labs products you can expect on course in the rut 28K:
- Peanut Butter + Chocolate Chip (new flavor!)
- Cherries & Pistachios
- Chocolate and Mallow
- Strawberry and Mallow
- Raspberry
- Blueberry (caffeinated) (new flavor!)
- Lemon & Lime
- Raspberry limeade (caffeinated) (new flavor!)
By the Numbers
- 17.6 Miles | 28 Kilometers
- 7200 ft. | 2195 Meters of elevation gain!
- Low Point: 7,500 ft | 2286 Meters
- High Point: 11,166ft | 3403 Meters (10,400 ft in 2023)
- 3 Aid Stations, 1 water station.
- 1 really good/hard/painful time!
28K PLAN B - COURSE ALTERNATIVE IN THE EVENT OF EXTREME WEATHER
Due to the alpine and exposed nature of our 28K course, race organizers reserve the right to change the course in order to limit risk to Rut Runners in the event of severe weather. Here is a map of the Plan B 28K Course.
The Rut would not be possible without the support of our sponsors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Prizes
We have doubled our cash purse in 2023 and will have $9000 in cash prizes for the top 3 overall men and women of the 28K!
- First: $3000 (USD)
- Second: $1000 (USD)
- Third: $500 (USD)
All 28K finishers will receive a unique finishers award.
Also, we will have unique and fun handmade awards for top three overall men and women as well as top 3 in each age group. (20-29,30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+)
WAVE STARTS
When participants sign up for the 2023 Rut they will share an estimated finishing time for their event. We will then assign waves based on their estimated finishing time and send an email out with wave assignments. There will be 5 waves separated by 5 minutes each for the 28K in 2022. Runners’ waves will be on the back of their bib and runners must start in their assigned wave. Help us in limiting congestion on the trails. Thank you!
Lastly, overall awards will be based on the time from when the gun goes off with the first wave. Age group awards will be based on chip timing.
Drop Bags
There are no drop bags for the 28K.
Crewing/Spectating
Crewing of runners is not allowed. You are, however, highly encouraged to get out on the course and see your runners as much as possible and cheer for them!
Dropping out: You must inform a race official if you drop out of the race.
28K Course Markings (Blue Pin Flags & Tape)
This is not an orienteering race. The race organizers will do everything they can to have the course marked well for race participants on the day of the event. Off-trail sections of the course will be marked in a way that race participants should be able to see from each course marking to the next to help guide them along the course. During the on-trail sections of the course, runners must stay on the trail. No switchback cutting! The 28K will be marked with blue flagging and tape.
Course Reconnaissance
We welcome you to check out the Rut course prior to the event, but please be aware that you cannot go on downhill mountain biking trails other than on race day. It is unsafe to do so. Also, in 2023 the Bonecrusher ridge climb to the summit will be closed due to tram construction. Please check out Big Sky Resorts’ summer trails map to see what trails allow running and hiking before heading up to the resort.
Weather
Please be prepared for any type of weather. Though weather in Big Sky is relatively mild and stable in mid-September historically, we are still in the mountains and conditions can quickly change. This is a challenging run on challenging terrain and the race organizers reserve the right to stop the race at any time, should they deem the course unsafe due to weather. The race organizers will have a 28K Plan B course, which will not take race participants into exposed alpine terrain, should extreme weather exist on race day.
28K Rut Rules
- Learn more about all Rut Rules HERE
Rut Registration Policy
- There will be no deferrals, credits, transfers to other runners, or waitlists for any Rut race. No exceptions.
- Rut Runners who must drop out due to unforeseen circumstances may do so by June 1st and will receive a 50% refund.
- Rut Runners in some races may also move down in distance. This must be done no later than August 15th.
- For example, the 50K can move to the 28K, 20K, or 11K, but not the VK. The 28K can move to the 20K, or 11K, but not the 50K or VK. The 20K can move to the 11K, but not the 50K, 28K, or VK. The VK can move to the 11K only. The 11K cannot transfer to another event. A transfer in distance will be charged a $5 processing fee.
- Questions? Check out our Rut Registration FAQ's page.
The Rut 28k 2018 Highlights – Skyrunning
