THE RUT 50K RACE

Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 6 AM START

The Rut 50K is a true mountain running course. There are sections of this route, including the ascent and traverse of Headwaters ridge, as well as the ascent and descent of Lone Peak, which are extremely steep and technical with sections of exposure and rockfall hazard. A fall in these sections could result in injury or death. The responsibility falls on the participant to have the skills to traverse these areas safely. We strongly encourage you to become familiar with the course terrain before registering for this event. If you are interested in the 50K but just don’t feel ready for the technical sections, we suggest checking out our new Rut 21K course.

*MANDATORY GEAR IS REQUIRED FOR ALL 50K RUT RUNNERS. LEARN MORE HERE

50K Route Map

Aid Stations & Cutoffs

There are 5 fully stocked & 1 hydration-only aid station located along the 50K course. Each fully stocked aid station will be supplied with water, Skratch Labs goodies, sweet and salty snacks, first aid, and energetic volunteers! Reminder that we are a cupless event.

Moonlight #1: 6.1 Miles (No Cut off)
Moonlight #2: 10.6 Miles (9:40 AM Cut off)
Swiftcurrent: 18.3 Miles (1:15 PM Cut off)
Summit: 19.4 Miles (2:30 PM Cut off)
Shedhorn (hydration only) 22 Miles: (4:00 PM Cut off)
Andesite: 25.7 Miles (5:15 PM Cut off)
Finish Line: 30.3 Miles (7:00 PM Cut off)

*Cut-off times will be strictly enforced for the safety of the runners and the volunteers. Cutoff times are the same regardless of your wave start time. Also, time has been added to cutoffs as the event has grown and waves have been added. While it is true that those in wave one have more time, we have based out cutoffs on the start time of the final wave. This is the best option forward as it is of the utmost important for the on trail experience to allow those who have faster estimated times to begin first to limit the amount of passing on the trail. Thank you in advance for helping us limit congestion on the trails!

Skratch Labs products you can expect on course in the Rut 50K:

Anytime Energy Bars:

Peanut Butter + Chocolate Chip (new flavor!)
Cherries & Pistachios

Sport Energy Chews

Raspberry
Blueberry (caffeinated) (new flavor!)

Sport Hydration Mix

Lemon & Lime
Raspberry limeade (caffeinated) (new flavor!)

By the Numbers

Distance: 30.3 Miles / 49K
Elevation Gain: 10,000 ft / 3,200 Meters
Elevation Loss: 10,000 ft / 3,200 Meters
65% Single Track
20% Dirt Road
15% Off Trail

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PRIZES

All 50K finishers will receive a unique finishers award.
Awards for top three in each age group (Under 20, 20-29,30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+)
Podium ceremony with awards designed by a local artist for our top five overall men, women, and non-binary athletes.

Cash prizes for the top 3 overall men and women of the 50K!

First: $3000 (USD)
Second: $1000 (USD)
Third: $500 (USD)

Wave Starts

To limit congestion on the course, the 50K will have wave starts each starting five minutes apart. When participants sign up they share an estimated finishing time for their event. We then assign waves in August based on entered times. Runners must start in their assigned wave. Note, as the event has grown and we have added more waves, we have added time to each aid station cutoff to accommodate the later start times. Note, cutoff times are the same regardless of your wave start time. Also, time has been added to cutoffs as the event has grown and waves have been added. While it is true that those in wave one have more time, we have added time to all the cutoffs with the later wave starts in mind. This is the best option forward as it is of the utmost important for the on trail experience to allow those who have faster estimated times to begin first to limit the amount of passing on the trail. Thank you in advance for helping us limit congestion on the trails!

*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 at Swiftcurrent Aid Station

All 50K runners receive a Rut drop bag at check-in that runners can use for their Swiftcurrent Aid Station. Drop bags are to be dropped off before the race near the start line and they will be at the aid station ready for you when you come through. You will mark your bag with your number and we have a system at the aid station to see your number and have your drop bag ready for you on arrival. Drop bags that have been used will be back in the base area in the afternoon and ready for pick up near the finish line.

Crewing/Spectating

There will be no crewing of runners allowed. You are, however, highly encouraged to get out on the course and see your runners as much as possible and cheer for them! See our spectator page to learn more.

Dropping out

You must inform the nearest aid station captain if you drop out of the race.

50K Course Markings (Orange Pin Flags)

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. Runners must follow trail marking and not cut switchbacks. 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. The Rut 50K will be marked with orange pin flags with a Rut Logo on them.

Course Reconnaissance

We welcome you to check out the Rut course prior to the event, but please be aware that you cannot go on the downhill mountain biking trails other than race day. It is unsafe to do so. 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 the weather in Big Sky is relatively mild and stable in September, 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.

Rut Policies & Rules

Learn more about all Rut Policies and Rules HERE

Rut Registration Policy

There will be no deferrals, transfers to other runners, or waitlists for any Rut race. No exceptions.
Distance Transfer - Our hope is for you to make it to a Rut starting line, even if it's not the one you originally intended. With this in mind Rut runers may move down in distance for certain events. We do not allow transfers into the VK. The 50K can transfer to the 28K, 21K, or 11K, but not the VK. The 28K can transfer to the 21K, or 11K, but not the 50K or VK. The 21K can transfer to the 11K, but not the 50K, 28K, or VK. The VK can transfer to the 11K only. The 11K cannot transfer to another event. Transfers must be completed no later than August 15th. A transfer in distance will be charged a $5 processing fee.
Pregnancy Policy - If you become pregnant, or adopt a child, after registering for a Rut race and cannot participate, you can use your race entry for up to 2 years after the original race date. To take advantage of this policy, you must contact the Rut Registration Director (registration@runtherut.com) by race weekend. Requests made after race weekend will not be honored.
Registration Cancellation Policy - If you need to cancel your race entry, we are happy to offer partial credit toward the following year's Rut. This helps us to balance the needs of our participants with the time and nonrecoverable expenses incurred in organizing our event. Credits are awarded based on the following tiered structure by date.
- Cancel by 11:59 PM on June 15th: 60% credit to the following year's Rut (e.g. If you spend $100 on a race this year, and decide to cancel, you will have $60 to go towards the following year's race registration for whatever distance you choose.)
- Cancel by 11:59 PM on August 15th : 40% credit to the following year's Rut (e.g. If you spend $100 on a race this year, and decide to cancel, you will have $40 to go towards the following years race registration for whatever distance you choose.)
How to Cancel Your Registration - To receive credit, runners must cancel their registration through their Runsignup account. Credits cannot be applied retroactively, and cancellations must be completed by the runner themselves.
- Important Details About Race Credit
  - Credits can only be used for the following year.
  - To ensure those with credits can enter into the following year's race, we will have a priority registration window available prior to registration opening to the public.
  - Once the event fills the credit can no longer be used.

Questions? Check out our Rut Registration FAQ's page.