Runners, hikers and walkers of all ages are encouraged to take part in the 44th annual Big Mountain Run/Danny On Hill Climb at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Saturday, July 25.  

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. on the Danny On Trail near the Hellroaring Saloon and covers 3.8 miles with approximately 2,200 feet of elevation gain to the Summit House area.  

This year, due to the Big Mountain Fuels Reduction Project, a reroute might take participants up part of Russ’s Street before connecting to Danny On. 

Awards will be presented at 11:30 a.m. on the Summit House deck. Competitors will vie for King and Queen of the Mountain honors, Prince and Princess titles for runners 16 and younger, and the Top Dog Award, recognizing the fastest leashed dog on the course. 

The event continues the tradition of the Birthday Club, in which runners who finish the course in fewer minutes than their age — or age plus 10 minutes for women — earn a cupcake and recognition for the accomplishment. 

All finishers will receive a one-time lift ticket back down the mountain. 

The event is a fundraiser to support scholarship programs for the Glacier Nordic Ski Club’s competition team and youth programs.  

The annual Whitefish tradition began more than four decades ago when members of the Glacier Nordic Club organized an uphill challenge to raise money for the youth ski team. The first event drew roughly 40 runners. 

Today, Glacier Nordic Club serves hundreds of local children through its winter programs and maintains 67 kilometers of trails in four public trail systems.  

While the Big Mountain Run supports the scholarship program, Glacier Nordic Club is also currently fundraising for its Big Mountain Enhancement Project.  

Glacier Nordic broke ground on phase 1, which includes building a grooming facility at Big Mountain Trailhead, this summer. 

Future phases aim to preserve and expand the Big Mountain trail network, creating a beginner area, new connections and a trail to the new DREAM Adaptive headquarters.  

Register for the Big Mountain Run at https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Whitefish/BigMtnRun 

Registration costs $35 for adults and $20 for juniors ages 16 and younger before race day. Registration on the day of the race will be available from 8 to 9:10 a.m. 

Learn more about the Big Mountain Enhancement Project at glaciernordicclub.org/bmnt-project/.