With 2 1/2 weeks to go, approximately 4,000 participants are registered to participate in Montana’s first Spartan Race on May 11, and about 50 people a day are still joining the ranks.

Sponsored by the Kalispell Convention and Visitor Bureau, the roughly 4-mile obstacle course will be set up on property owned by Flathead Lake Lodge, 3 miles south of and across the highway from the lodge.

Spartan representatives will place the obstacles the week before the race on land that has been cleared and prepared for the race by lodge staff throughout the winter.

A Spartan Pre-Game party, sponsored by Sportsman & Ski Haus, will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on May 10 in the area between Sportsman and the Stadium 14 theaters in Kalispell. All are invited to the family-friendly event.

The Copper Mountain Band will play country music to entertain the crowd and free appetizers will be provided. A sample Spartan obstacle will be available to try out at the party. Local breweries will be on site as well.

Party attendance is required for participants to pick up race packets and receive a briefing on event guidelines, safety and transportation.  

Organizers stress that transportation to the race site on May 11 will be by shuttle, which will run from the parking site at the corner of Montana 35 and 82 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on race day. Twenty shuttles will provide rides to and from the race site every 15 minutes. Carpooling is encouraged; parking costs $10 per vehicle.

No parking will be allowed at Flathead Lake Lodge or the race site.

Participants are being asked to arrive at the parking area a minimum of 2 1/2 hours prior to their designated race time.

A bag check-in will be available for $5 for those who would like to secure a change of clothes for after the race. There will be cold showers and a place to hose off after the race, since participants will get muddy and wet.

Spectator passes are $20 if purchased online or $25 at the gate.  

Volunteers are needed for both the Spartan Pre-Game party and the race.

To purchase a spectator pass, sign up to volunteer or register to race (sign-up closes on May 8) visit www.spartanrace.com.