Blacktail Balderdash
- Date
- August 8, 2026
- Location
- 13990 Blacktail Rd, Lakeside, MT
- Distance
- Green Course · Blue Course · Black Course
From the Organizer
Floral Park Mountain Club presents the Inaugural Blacktail Balderdash: an off-trail footrace in the Montana Mountains.
August 8, 2026
You Will Get Lost!
No beating around the bush, the Blacktail Balderdash is hard. You will get lost, confused, frustrated, and may want to send us hate mail before the halfway point. Whether you believe it or not, you can push yourself harder than you think, and in that uncertainty lies the beauty of the challenge.
In between the checkpoints, there is no marked course. This is a true choose-your-own-adventure race where your ability to improvise in the woods is more important than your 5k time!
This race takes place at beautiful Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, highlighting Flathead Valley's shining features including dense forests, sweeping views of the Swan Range and Glacier National Park, and a large variety of native plants and wild flowers.
A Course for Everyone!
To keep your imaginations active and your creative juices alive, the courses will not be revealed until the day before the race at packet pickup.
*Note that distances and elevations of courses are approximate, as the exact course depends on you!
Green Course: This route is an action packed loop of ski cuts, off trail travel, and a ton of fun. (~5 miles, ~3000ft elevation gain)
Blue Course: This route explores all corners and crevices of the Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. Expect turmoil, glory, disorientation, and a true mountain experience. (~10 miles, ~5000ft elevation gain)
Black Course: If you truly love testing yourself and the limits of what qualifies a good time, this is the route for you. Brace your self for two loops of the Blue course as we challenge your psyche along with your body. As you finish the first loop, you will be tempted with the option to forgo the second loop in favor of a Blue Course finish, or continue into another loop in pursuit of Black Course bragging rights. (~20 miles, ~10000ft elevation gain)
About Floral Park Mountain Club:
Floral Park Mountain Club formed in 2025 as a community focused club in Northwest Montana intended to bring people together through a mutual love of the outdoors. In everything that we do, we strive to make all feel included and welcome. Challenge yourself, grow together, and spread kindness.
Donations:
All donations will be put towards making the Blacktail Balderdash bigger and better each year!
Required Gear:
TBD
Post Race Party + Awards:
Food and beverages will be provided at a finish celebration. Awards will be given with categories to be announced. Start times to be determined.
Course Aid Stations:
Aid stations will be stocked with various nutrition and hydrations options (Specifics TBD).
Race Weekend Guide & FAQs
TBD
Location
Blacktail Mountain Ski Area
13990 Blacktail Rd, Lakeside, MT 59922
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, please contact the race director at floralparkmountainclub@gmail.com
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
84°
Typical Low
51°
Chance of Rain
19%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Creston, 12 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Lakeside, MT
Elevation
2,908 ft
Nearest Airport
FCA
Glacier Park International Airport · 20 mi
Time Zone
Mountain Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Blacktail Balderdash, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
More Running races near Lakeside, MT
Herron Half Marathon, 10K and 5K Trail Run
Half Marathon · 10K · 5K
15 miles away
Foy's to Blacktail Trail Marathon
Marathon
15 miles away
15th Annual Freedom Run/Walk 5k - Bigfork
5K
8 miles away
4 Miles to Freedom Bigfork
8 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Blacktail Balderdash?
- Blacktail Balderdash is a running race held in Lakeside, Montana on August 8, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Blacktail Balderdash?
- Saturday, August 8, 2026 in Lakeside, Montana at 13990 Blacktail Rd, Lakeside, MT. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Blacktail Balderdash?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Blacktail Balderdash
Aug 8, 2026