Old Gabe 30K & 50K 2019 
Race Director is Jim Rucker
Old Gabe and Blanket Chief are both nicknames for Jim Bridger who lived in the wild west from 1822 (age 17) until 1867. He is the first non-native to describe the Great Salt Lake, South Pass and the current pass for I-80 going into Salt Lake City. He explored the Gallatin Valley area and trapped in there in the 1840's. He has lots of things named for him including the Old Gabe 30K/50K and the Jim Bridger Trail Run (10 miles, generally the week after the 30K/50K).
Change since 2018: We will have food/prizes at the finish line and not a late afternoon party at Lindley.
Major Sponsors: US Forest Service, La Sportiva, Map Brewery, Hammergel/E-Caps of Whitefish, Bar-3 BBQ, Schnees Boots and Shoes
Date and time:
Directions: Bridger Mountain Range,
Directions to Truman Gulch trail head: From Middle Cottonwood backtrack down Saddle Mountain Rd past Summer Cutoff to Walker Rd, travel right (north) on Walker road (along the base of the west side of the Bridgers) about 3 miles until you reach Forswell Road. Go right. Travel about 3 miles until the road ends at the trail head.
Directions to Sypes trail head: Back down Saddle Mtn Road and then first left on Summer Cutoff Rd. Go about a mile and then left on Sypes Canyon Rd. Go up the road about 1.5 miles until it turns to gravel. It curves right to the trailhead parking lot.
Entry: Must be 18 for 50K. $50.00 for 50K. $35.00 for 25K, prior to raceweek. Increases by $10 received Monday thru Thursday race week. No registration after Thursday evening at 6PM. 50K is free to last year's winners and anybody over 75-years-old (email race director). Entry includes T-shirt, prizes, food and drink provided at post race party. If t-shirts run out we will order more. Special finishers' awards for the 50K. All profits go to the Bozeman Track Club (only available XC running team for middle schoolers). Only enter online (fee absorbed by race) by clicking on UltraSignup
Party: There will be food, drink, and prizes at the finish line starting in 2018.
Showers: If you want a shower after the event my best suggestion is the Bozeman Swim Center which charges $4 for entry (shower and swim!). Next to Bozeman High School on W. Main between 11th and 19th Avenue.
Course and other info: Course starts and finishes at Middle Cottonwood Trailhead and is M-shape out and back on 100% trails with four significant climbs totaling over 11,000 feet making this one of the toughest 50K's in the world. 12 hour time limit. 25K is one leg to Truman Trailhead and back. 25K starts with the 50K. See detailed description Details.
Cut off times: The two aid station cut off times will be strongly enforced for the safety of all runners and volunteers. If you are not LEAVING the aid station by these set times, you must stop. Race management's goal is to see that everyone crosses the finish line in 12 hours or less and to help the volunteers plan out the time they will be at the aid stations. These cutoff times have been established to help accomplish this. 6 hrs out of Middle Cottonwood and 9 hrs out of Sypes.
Volunteers: Many volunteers are needed on race day. Lunch and beverages will be provided to those who volunteer. Free entry for six hours service. If you know of someone willing to help, please have them contact 406-556-1496.
Records (three courses for now, the old course, a slightly shorter snow course in 2008, 2011**, and the new longer course as of 2016*):
Current course is about ten minutes longer so records starting in 2016 must be no more then ten minutes slower then the old records.
|
|
50K |
25K |
|
Male Open |
Jim Walmsley, 5.26:04 (2014) Mike Foote, 5:29:28 (2017)* |
Tommy Manning 2.47:51 (2005) |
|
Female Open |
Zusana Drobnik , 6.58:18 (2007) |
Rhea Fuller, 3.23:28 (2005) |
|
Male Master |
Harry Johnson, 6.05:27 (2000) |
Jay Rotella 3.05:43 (2006) |
|
Female Master |
Becky Wheeler, 6:54.17 (2015) |
Wendy Bauman, 3:59.52 (2014) |
*New longer course as of 2016
**Shorter alternate course due to snow 2008, 2011