An inaugural footrace will take participants through steep drainages, up grassy ski runs, into dark cedar woods and over rocky terrain for a running experience new to the Flathead Valley.  

The Blacktail Balderdash takes place Aug. 8 and will feature three courses weaving all over Blacktail Mountain above Lakeside – on trail and off. The route is a secret until the day before the race and it must be navigated using orienteering skills.  

“It’s a diverse landscape up there,” said Seth King, a Whitefish resident who devised the event. “I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect location. It’s the smaller ski resort and an underappreciated area. As I was creating the courses, I wanted to highlight the mountain and what makes it special, with views of the Swan Range and Glacier.” 

Last year King raced in the Barkley Fall Classic, a shorter version of the infamous Barkley Marathons, an ultramarathon in Tennessee known for its extreme difficulty, bizarre traditions and a cult-like following.  

“I was terrified,” he said. “You’re not allowed to know the course until you pick up your packet the day before. That area is gnarly and steep. The thorns off-trail are more awful than you can describe.  

“But when you get there, you’re just surrounded by people who are united, to either do it for the first time, or they’ve done it before and are excited to show you how gnarly it is.” 

The Blacktail Balderdash draws inspiration from the Barkley, which is a deviant of fell running.  

Fell running has roots in Britian and Scotland and is said to evolve from shepherds and farmers climbing hills while working. Unlike trail running, runners must navigate over unmarked terrain, often using only a map and compass to find check points.  

While the brutality and self-sufficiency of the activity is notable, it’s the community that King says inspired him to bring the spirit of the Barkley to the Flathead Valley.  

“It is just an encouraging community from a wide range of people,” King said. “There’s people who show up who aren’t really runners, they’re more outdoor enthusiasts or CrossFit athletes.  

“More than anything, it’s a crowd that likes to challenge themselves... And I knew I needed to spread that activity into my community.” 

Growing up in South Carolina, King fell in love with outdoor education early, he said.  

“That’s always been a big passion of mine, is bringing as many people into the outdoors as I can,” he said.  

King just started a new job as a warehouse coordinator for North Valley Food Bank after working at Sportsman’s Ski Haus and prior, at a boarding school in Eureka. Outside of work, he stays busy in the outdoors and helps host events with Floral Park Mountain Club, a local running club created in 2025.  

As a nonprofit, Floral Park Mountain Club is the official organizer of the race.  

“We created Floral Park to give people consistent opportunities to get outside with likeminded people,” said King, a co-founder. “We tried to embody what we want to see in the community through the Balderdash. It’s an extension of us.” 

The Blacktail Balderdash on Saturday, Aug. 8 features a green course of 5 miles and 3,000 feet of elevation gain, a blue course of 10 miles and 5,000 feet, and a black course that consists of two blue course loops – with the option to drop out after the first.  

“It’s a weird race and not many people have done anything like it,” King said. “It’s a choose-your-own-adventure. It’s going to be a long slog through the woods with a bunch of other people who are doing the same thing, encouraging each other.  

“I assume there will be a lot of tagging along with groups to tackle obstacles together. People can expect a full, challenging day.” 

Sign up at adventuresignup.com/Race/MT/Lakeside/BlacktailBalderdash 

Prices increase after July 4. Follow Floral Park Mountain Club on Strava or Instagram to learn more about other events.

Editor Kelsey Evans can be reached at 406-862-3505 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at whitefishpilot.com/support.

    Some of the terrain on Blacktail Mountain which participates could navigate during the Blacktail Balderdash. (Photo provided)
  

    Whitefish resident Seth King at the Whitefish Trail Blazer in 2025. (Seth Anderson/Hungry Horse News)