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First Timer's Guide
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Montana > Snow Joke Half Marathon
Seeley Lake, MT • Saturday, February 23, 2013 • Course Map
The cold, blustery winter weather of February each year is never enough to deter the field of hundreds of runners at each year's Snow Joke Half
Marathon, which takes runners on a loop the
run around the banks of
Seeley Lake in the town of the same name in westernmost Montana, about
40 miles from Missoula.
The half-marathon takes runners on a single,
cold and snow-covered lap around the lake, making it quite likely one of the
country's coldest outdoor race events of the year.
Race organizers tell participants to expect icy
patches along the course's snow-plowed road, and allow at least some
time for the sun to come out -- the race starts at the unusually late
time of 11:00 AM. The start and finish are at Seeley Lake's Grade
School Gym, where runners also register between 9:15 and 10:30 AM on
the day of the race.
Located right in the middle of Montana's Bob Marshall and Mission
Mountain Wilderness Areas, the town of Seeley Lake is also set in what
is known locally as the Seeley-Swan Valley, home to about 2,400
permanent residents and many, many more tourists and visitors
year-round. Snowmobiling and Nordic skiing are two of the area's most
popular wintertime activities, as the surrounding area boasts about 350
miles of snowmobile trails and a world-class Nordic ski trail system,
which visitors can tour on one of the town's famous sleigh rides or
dogsled rides.
Race
Weather & Climate
Needless to say from the name of the event, weather conditions are normally cold with snow on the ground on the day of the race, as the area's average February temperatures range between 14°F and 37°F. On the day of the race (Feb. 23), the average high is 39°F and the average low is 15°F, while average precipitation during the month is less than 2 inches -- and that usually means snowfall.
Course Map
View the race route map for the Snow Joke Half Marathon
Fees
$15 for adults
$5 for participants under age 20
Registration
Registration is available only on the day of the race at Seeley Lake's
Grade School Gym, where the race starts.
Official Race Website
www.cheetahherders.com
Leave a Comment
Ever run in Montana's annual Snow Joke Half Marathon? Share your impressions, stories and tips from the event.
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