8 mile Mountain Bike:

Actual Distance is 13.3 Km or 8.26 miles.
Download the Course Map

Pre-Race Meeting: There will be a pre-race meeting at 7:00 AM at the starting line (Riverside Park in Whitefish) for all competitors. The meeting will provide racers with the most up-to-date information on the race course and a review of all safety precautions. IT IS MANDATORY FOR All PARTICIPANTS TO ATTEND THIS MEETING. The Glacier Challenge 2011 begins with the 10K leg at 7:30 AM.

Bike Drop-off: It is recommended that bikers have their bikes at the transition point at Bowser State Park (the 'Pig Farms') by 8:40. [The first road biker came in at 8:58 last year.]

Directions to Mountain Bike (Bowser Recreation Area/Bower St. Park): From Kalispell: head north on Hwy 93. Turn left on Reserve St and continue for 3.5 miles until you come to Farm-to-Market Road. Turn right onto Farm to Market and go about 5 miles. Bowser will be on your left side and clearly marked. From Whitefish: head west on Hwy 93" for almost 5 miles, turning left onto Farm to Market Road. Stay on Farm to Market for approximately 5 miles. Bowser will be clearly marked and on your right hand side.

Parking: Parking for competitors will be available in the lot by Kuhns Rd. The parking site is across the road from the Road Bike/Mountain Bike transition point.

Equipment: Helmets are mandatory. Biking gloves are highly recommended. Bikes must be in good condition. Event organizers are not responsible for any belongings left at race sites.

The Course: The course, located in the scenic Bowser Recreational Area, is about 8.0 miles in distance and loops around so racers will finish in the general area in which they started. The terrain includes single track trails, dirt roads and minor obstacles such as fallen trees and roots. The route will be clearly marked and available at least 2 days before the race.

Results: It is important for all racers to be in position for timekeepers to see them when crossing the transition area. Timing of individual legs may vary based upon exchange area layout, which means personal times kept by racers may not correspond to official results.

Happy Racing!