Headwaters Relay 2026

The Headwaters Relay is a three-day adventure relay through Montana's backcountry. Teams run and support themselves from the first start to the final finish. It is designed for small groups, not a large field: Forest Service permits cap it at 26 teams, with returning teams receiving preference. Teams can enter with 3 to 5 runners as an ultra team or 6 to 10 runners as a standard team. Every runner must cover at least one leg each day. The race runs during daylight hours only, so teams stop at a designated end point each day instead of continuing through the night. The legs are short on paper, typically 1 to 6 miles, but the challenge arises from rough terrain, varying difficulty, and the need to manage the entire day as a crew. There are no aid stations, and exchange points are not marked; teams locate them using written leg descriptions. Each team provides its own liquids, food, navigation, and support, with up to two vehicles permitted on the route, one of which must be high clearance. Teams select their own name, designate a captain, decide who runs each leg, and their final result is determined by the combined time across all designated legs.