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Running Up for Air | Mt Sentinel

Fri February 6 - Sat February 7, 2026 Missoula, MT 59801 US Directions
Countdown to Race Day

Events

New! 6pm FRIDAY Start

24 hr

Price: $175
Price increases after December 31, 2025 at 11:59pm MST
6am Start

12 hr

Price: $125
Price increases after December 31, 2025 at 11:59pm MST
New! 6am and Noon Starts

6 hr

Price: $100
Price increases after December 31, 2025 at 11:59pm MST
New! 9am and 3pm Starts

3 hr

Price: $75
Price increases after December 31, 2025 at 11:59pm MST

Description

Who's ready to run or hike laps up Mt. Sentinel... in February?! Tackling air quality and climate issues is a figurative mountain of a challenge. There's no better way to start tackling those issues while building community then by climbing a literal mountain. From that concept, RUFA was born. 

 

Running Up for Air (RUFA) Mt. Sentinel is a 3, 6, 12 or 24-hour winter endurance challenge on Mt. Sentinel (5,158’ elevation), the iconic mountain on the edge of Missoula. RUFA Mt. Sentinel is a part of the Up For Air Series, a nonprofit that helps start local RUFA races and boost their impact to their local non profits addressing air quality and climate issues. As they state, "working for clean air is an endurance sport. Whether you’re accruing vert in one of our races, volunteering your time to make our events unforgettable, donating to fuel the cause, or becoming part of our incredible family of sponsors, RUFA is all about taking action. Every contribution makes a difference, so come be a part of something special and help us breathe new life into our communities." Let's do this!

 

Missoulians are lucky enough to have some of the best access to trails and wild places in the country. However, our beautiful valley is often plagued by poor air quality - both wildfire smoke in the summer and wintertime inversions. Participants of RUFA Mt. Sentinel will ascend Mt. Sentinel and attempt to summit the mountain as many times as possible to raise awareness and money to address air quality issues affecting our valley and home. With each registration, a fundraising page will be created on your behalf. Participants are also encouraged to gather pledges from friends and family for each lap completed up the mountain. All proceeds from this event go to Climate Smart Missoula and their efforts to improve air quality for all Montanans.

 

Past race photos by Anastasia Wilde:

2024, 2023, 2022

Cold Weather Policy

Safety is our biggest priority. There are inherent risks to running a mountain race during the winter months. We reserve the right to cancel the race, delay the start time, or shorten the event, if the race organization deems the conditions to be too dangerous for volunteers and/or participants. Expect cancellations or delays if temperatures are below zero, windchill is below -10, visibility is impaired due to snow, conditions on course become unsafe, or any combination of these conditions occur that could endanger participants and/or volunteers. In short: this is a mountain race and we could have mountain weather. Hope for the best, be prepared for the worst, and understand we will ultimately make the decision that keeps people safe.

 

Local Sponsors

Organizing Partners

Race Website

Additional race information can be found at https://upforairseries.org.

Race Contact Info

If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.

Place

Phyllis Washington Park
Missoula, MT US 59801

Directions

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