Marshall Mountain MARS-a-Thon

Introducing the First Annual Marshall Mountain MARS-a-Thon! This inclusive mountain bike race is all about FUN and generating support for the MARS mission! Missoula Adaptive Recreation and Sports’ mission is to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities through recreational activities & advocacy.

The MARS-a-thon is about celebrating the excitement MARS brings to life every day — coming together to embrace summer in the mountains and celebrate our community that transforms lives in Missoula and the surrounding areas. This is a fundraising race! With the average Bowhead Handcylce starting at $18,000 base price, we hope to fundraise enough to purchase of new program equipment and support operations for MARS programs. 

We are also celebrating the success of the Mission to MARS trail! This trail was a Missoula County Park project made possible through a collaborative effort between Friends of Marshall Mountain, Radius Trail Solutions, Missoula Mountain Bike Coalition, Missoula Adaptive Recreation and Sports along with support from many more local partners and dozens of volunteers. Thanks to all the folks who helped get this trail completed, Mission to MARS was named Best Adaptive Trail of 2025 by SingleTracks Mountain Bike News! 

Join us on September 19th from 12 - 5pm at Marshall Mountain Park for a day filled with an inclusive mountain biking enduro race, friendship, local grub, prize giveaways, costume contest, and a well-earned celebratory drink at the after party! 

Race Registration & Fundraising

• Registration is a $25 donation to MARS. Your registration includes custom MARS swag, 2 drink tickets, 2 food tickets, and 2 raffle tickets. Riders earn 5 raffle tickets with each lap.
• Every registrant is a fundraiser; how much you fundraise is your choice. Fundraising is a big part of the Marshall Mountain MARS-a-thon. It supports MARS programs and advocacy efforts. Some people fundraise a little, some a lot, and all of it matters.
• When you sign up, you automatically get your own individual fundraising page. Share it with your community so they can support your fundraising goal!
• You can fundraise by yourself OR with a team. Teams are not required, but many people/groups raise more and have more fun together. Join a team, or start a team and invite others, or fundraise on your own. Know someone who wants to participate themselves? Invite them to register and join your team!
• You can start fundraising as soon as you register, or take some time to get ready. Either way, you’ll be part of MARS-a-Thon when you sign up. The earlier you begin fundraising, the more likely you are to win prizes for hitting fundraising milestones!

The Competition

• Everyone who registers is part of the fun! Registrants can participate in the inclusive mountain bike race on Mission to MARS, or skip the race and focus on fundraising to support the MARS mission! Registrants are competing for medals and prizes in the following categories: 
  • Most Vert - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place (racers will be riding on all Marshall Mountain Park trails)
  • Top Fundraiser - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
  • Best Costume - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
• Racers will be completing laps on Mission to MARS between 12pm - 4pm. With each lap completed, racers earn 5 raffle tickets to put towards any raffle prizes of their choosing. Ride more laps to win more raffle tickets! 
• Racers can also opt to compete for most vertical feet by focusing on riding as many uphill trails throughout Marshall Mountain Park trails, capturing their elevation gained data on Strava on race day. 

The Raffle

• Our raffle will draw tickets for prizes including local gift cards, gift baskets, artwork, clothing, and outdoor gear. How to earn raffle tickets: 
  • Registrants automatically receive 2 raffle tickets with registration
  • Each Mission to MARS lap is worth 5 tickets (ride 4 laps between 12 - 4 pm? That’s 20 tickets!)
  • Purchase additional raffle tickets for $5 each 

Come for the dirt, and stay for the hot dogs, beer, costume contest, raffle giveaways, and support our growing community of athletes of all abilities! 

Read more about MARS programs and impact at our website: www.missoulaadaptiverec.org

NOTE: If you cannot afford the $25 donation to register, contact us below.