Montana Marathon
The Lowdown
The Montana Marathon is a point-to-point race that starts in the small farming town of Molt and finishes at Pioneer Park in downtown Billings, Montana. In 2026 the race reaches its 46th annual running -- it dates back to 1981 and was long known locally as the Queen Bee Montana Marathon before dropping the sponsor name. The USATF-certified course drops more than 1,000 feet net over its final 16 miles, past wide-open plains and mountain views of Big Sky Country, making it one of the fastest Boston Qualifier courses in the region; 221 runners finished the marathon in 2025. Race weekend also includes a Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and the kid-friendly Little Buzz Run, with 13 aid stations spaced along the marathon route and finisher medals for every distance. Current sponsors include Visit Billings and Opportunity Bank of Montana, and $2 of each Little Buzz Run entry supports CASA of Yellowstone County.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Intimate field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Moderate spectator support
Boston Qualifier
This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.
Molt, Montana (start line)
Pioneer Park, Billings (finish line)
Rolling high plains west of Billings
Downtown Billings
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Molt to Billings, MT, United States
US
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- No confirmed minimum age published; the kid-friendly Little Buzz Run runs alongside the main event
Entry Methods
- Online registration via RunSignUp
- In-person packet pickup before race day, subject to availability
USATF-certified, point-to-point course from Molt to Pioneer Park in Billings, with 13 aid stations along the marathon route
2026 is the 46th annual running; the race dates to 1981 and was long branded the Queen Bee Montana Marathon
2025 marathon field had 221 finishers, up from 199 in 2024
$2 of each Little Buzz Run registration benefits CASA of Yellowstone County
Current title sponsors are Visit Billings and Opportunity Bank of Montana
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Community
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