When I decided to set my audacious goal of running 12 half marathons in 12 months, I knew it would require almost as much focus and planning as it would dedication. You can read more about how I found myself in this endeavor here:
One of the things I considered while planning my race line-up was how to keep myself engaged and on track. I knew that, for me, this meant challenging races and beautiful locations.
I started by browsing RunSignUp and noting every race that looked fun or interesting locally, then expanded my radius. I created a spreadsheet with dates, races, distances, costs, locations, causes, and cutoff times. I then worked through my list, ruling out the ones that didn’t work before selecting my final choice. In addition to my initial list, I have had friends reach out, and opportunities have arisen that I haven’t been able to turn down.
The Final Line Up
In the end, I ended up with far more than 12 races, a mix of distances and locations, as well as novelty, challenge, and beauty. Below is a breakdown of the races I chose each month, where they are, and why they made the list. As the year goes on and I complete races, I will tag the recaps as well. [As a note: when counting races, I have not assigned numbers to Fun Runs]
March 2026
Run to the Pub Half Marathon - Bozeman, Montana
[2026 Challenge Reflection #1]
This half-marathon was chosen to complete with a group of friends, so that I had made a promise to someone other than just myself.
April 2026
River Road Half Marathon - Gallatin Gateway, Montana
[2026 Challenge Reflection #2]
I chose this half-marathon because it was the next one available to me and FREE. The local running club hosted it and was the first time I ran with a longtime friend.
May 2026
Montana Women’s Run - Billings, Montana
[2026 Challenge Reflection #3]
This 5-mile race wasn’t originally on the docket, but a friend who had moved away reached out to say she was coming back to run it for her first race, and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to connect and experience it together.
Beaverhead Half Marathon - Dillon, Montana
[2026 Challenge Reflection #4]
This half-marathon checked the box and kept my travel budget low. It also came with a neat corduroy hat instead of a race shirt and an embossed leather finisher “medal”
Billings Skyline Races - Billings, Montana Virtual
[2026 Challenge Reflection #6]
I signed up for this inaugural race, excited for the course, a brand-new addition to a running path I loved years ago. Unfortunately, my child care fell through, and I had to change to a virtual option; I completed my half-marathon by tackling a local route with over 2400’ of elevation gain. This one was way outside of my comfort zone, but a great challenge.'
June 2026
Missoula Marathon Weekend - Missoula, Montana:
[2026 Challenge Reflection #5]
Tony Banovich 5K - this marked my 13-year-old niece’s first-ever race, and I got to complete it alongside her.
Missoula Kids Marathon - both my kids ran this one and received a medal; my one-year-old even crossed the finish line on his own two feet, and it was very, very cute. The opportunity to include them in this sport I love is on my high list of priorities.
Missoula Half Marathon - the Missoula Half Marathon was my first BIG race event, with an entire expo, official marathon photos, and an entire city-wide celebration. This experience was what first prompted me to sign up, and I do not regret it.
July 2026
Skinny Raven Half Marathon - Anchorage, Alaska
[2026 Challenge Reflection #7]
This race is my first out-of-state race and also my first time returning to the place I was raised in 10 years.
The Divide Trail Race 25K - Butte, Montana
[2026 Challenge Reflection #8]
This one is my first technical trail race as well as my first distance greater than a half-marathon. It will be 25K and somewhere around 2100’ of elevation gain.
Smelter City Scamper 10K - Anaconda, Montana[2026 Challenge Reflection #9]
The Smelter City Scamper is a race I was too afraid to sign up for 5 years ago, so I am doing it for my younger self. It also makes a great B-race to run with my niece as we prepare for Cape Fear in October.
The fires and poor air quality resulted in me scrapping this race. I woke up to an AQI (air quality index) of 323 and decided that it was not smart or safe to commit to running over 6 miles in this weather.
Double Race Weekend - Washington State:
Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon - Tacoma, Washington
[2026 Challenge Reflection #10]This half-marathon will be the first for the friend who came for the Montana Women’s Run, and I am beyond honored to run it with her.
Iron Horse Half Marathon - North Bend, Washington
[2026 Challenge Reflection #11]
This race came up as I was registering for the Tacoma Narrows, and the idea of the challenge excited me, so the proximity made it hard to pass up. I’m already paying to travel there, so I might as well get as much bang for my buck by squeezing in 2 half marathons back-to-back.
September 2026
Carpe Diem/Carpe Noctem (Double Half Marathon) - Virtual
[2026 Challenge Reflection #12]
I would have loved to travel to North Carolina to complete this race, and it is now on my bucket list. However, I could not pass up the challenge of running 2 half marathons in 1 day. It also comes with a very cool interlocking medal - one for the day and one for the night. I intend to mirror the in-person event schedule by running the Carpe Diem at 6:30 am and the Carpe Noctem at 4:30 pm. I will use this opportunity to run along the Skyline Trail in Billings for at least part of it.
Bozeman 10K - Bozeman, Montana
[2026 Challenge Reflection #13]
The Bozeman 10K was the 1st official race I ever did, back in 2015, when they still offered a 5K. Returning to my roots and getting a bottle opener medal to celebrate the achievement? Sign me up.
Montana Marathon Weekend - Billings, Montana
[2026 Challenge Reflection #14]
Little Buzz Run
Another opportunity to share this hobby with my littles and another finisher medal to add to their collection, as well as a 1-mile shakeout for me before I tackle my biggest race yet.
Montana Marathon - Half
I signed up for the full marathon as a challenge to myself; I decided in July this is not when I wanted to complete my first marathon. I did not feel prepared so I dropped down to a half-marathon. This will also mark nearly exactly 6 months since I completed my first half-marathon.
October 2026
Cape Fear Half Marathon - Bald Head Island, North Carolina
[2026 Challenge Reflection #15]
With family in the area and having read David Goggins’ memoir no less than 4 times, I could not turn down an opportunity to run a race put on by Badwater. Maybe one day I will tackle the Badwater 135, but Cape Fear seems like a good compromise for this year.
Summer and Fall Virtual Races
[2026 Challenge Reflection #16]
Between the beginning of July and the end of October I have signed up for 7 virtual races. These include:
Christmas in July Half Marathon
The Alaska Distance Classic Double Up (5K & 10K)
Skinny Raven Oktoberfest 10K
Orca Half Marathon
Lake Washington Half Marathon
Skinny Raven Frightening 5K
Hot Cider Hustle 10K
I will recap all 7 of these runs in one post, adding them as two 5Ks, three 10Ks, and three half-marathons to my year count.
November 2026
Harrisburg Half Marathon - Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
[2026 Challenge Reflection #17]
I will already be in the area for work, and what better way to check off my November half-marathon than to find one in the area I am already traveling to. It was rad to find a half-marathon that aligned so nicely with my travel plans.
Skinny Raven Turkey Trot 5K - Virtual
[2026 Challenge Reflection #18]
There is no better way to reflect on a year of gratitude than a guaranteed 5K run on Turkey Day.
December 2026
Honolulu Marathon Weekend - Honolulu, Hawaii:
[2026 Challenge Reflection #19]
Kalakaua Merrie Mile
This race will be a 1-mile race that I will do with just my daughter. After completing 4 others this year, she will be more than ready to push herself and truly earn the medal.
Honolulu Marathon
Honolulu Marathon is an untimed marathon in Hawaii, the ideal first marathon, and was the perfect addition to our winter family vacation. I bet the views will be absolutely unmatched.
A Year of Fun Runs
[2026 Challenge Reflection #20]
Recap of all the family fun runs completed in 2026. This includes:
Butte St. Patrick’s Day Color Run
YMCA Color Fun Run
Missoula Kids Marathon
Little Buzz Run
Kalakaua Merrie Mile
Goodbye 2026, Hello 2027
New Year’s Double Double - Virtual
[2026 Challenge Reflection #21]
This felt like the perfect way to ring in the new year: a 5K AND a half-marathon on New Year’s Eve, followed by a 5K AND a half-marathon on New Year’s Day. I cannot travel to Texas, but I do like that I have to submit proof of tracking and dates to receive my medal for this set of virtual races.
Run the Edge 2026
[2026 Challenge Reflection #22]
This will be a recap of the Run the Edge virtual challenges I completed in 2026. This includes:
Run the Year 2026 is a challenge to see how many intentional miles I’ve completed in 2026. This means that the only miles counted include running, walking, or hiking - not daily steps. It would be cool to complete the full 2026 miles.
Amerithon: this challenge is a challenge to do the distance it takes to cross North America. I’ve completed this challenge once before but it took 31 months. For this challenge, I am including daily steps as well as intentional miles. I don’t anticipate finishing before January 1 but will be documenting the progress I have made.
North Amerithon: Much like Amerithon but more miles to complete and starting later, only counting intentional miles.
Virtual Distance Challenges
[2026 Challenge Reflection #23]
This will be a recap of the adventure virtual challenge series I completed in 2026. These include challenges through several companies:
Conqueror Virtual Challenges
Pacer Virtual Challenges
January 2027
SnoFlinga 5K - Butte, MT
[2026 Challenge Reflection #24]
This will be a fun festival 5K that is free and perfect for the whole family.
Sorry ‘Bout That Half Marathon - Polson, Montana (part 1 of the Frozen Fool Challenge)
[2026 Challenge Reflection #25]
Another 2-part challenge? Surprise, surprise. It is also nearly impossible to find a half-marathon in Montana in January, so this was the pick.
February 2027
RunSedona Half Marathon - Sedona, Arizona
[2026 Challenge Reflection #26]
Falling the day before my birthday and marking my 12th consecutive month of half marathons, this race felt like it was made for me. My husband and I have also planned it as a couples trip, celebrating my birthday and leaving the kids with family for the weekend for the first time.
Snow Joke Half Marathon - Seeley Lake, Montana (part 2 of the Frozen Fool Challenge)
[2026 Challenge Reflection #27]
This was the 2nd part of the Frozen Fool Challenge, so there is no way I was leaving this box unchecked.
March 2027 (Bonus Month)
Run to the Pub Half Marathon - Bozeman, Montana
[2026 Challenge Reflection #30]
This will be an opportunity to see how much I have achieved in a full year since running my first Run to the Pub. I can’t wait to absolutely demolish my performance from 2026 and taste the win.
Cool Factor
This challenge feels super cool just for the accomplishment. To say I completed at least 1 half marathon per month for 12 consecutive months is pretty rad. However, there are more accomplishments I feel add to the cool factor of the entire experience.
My Top 3 Fun Facts:
My 20th Half Marathon will be Run to the Pub in March 2027, bringing me full circle from my very first (even though it does not fall within the 12 months)
My 31st race will be the day before my 32nd birthday. This will mark my 12th consecutive month of half marathons. You truly cannot beat that for serendipity.
My half-marathon-per-month promise is not fulfilled by running full marathons. Even in the months I run a marathon, I have stayed committed to my promise to myself of a half that month.
Total: 51 Races, Events, and Experiences
1 full marathon
22 half marathons
13 other distances - 4K, 5K, 10K, 25K or somewhere in between
5 family races
10 virtual distance challenges
Locations:
Races in 8 Cities in Montana: Bozeman, Butte, Dillon, Missoula, Anaconda, Billings, Seeley Lake, and Polson
Half Marathons in 7 States: Montana, Alaska, Washington, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and Arizona
Half Marathons on both East and West coasts: Washington & Pennsylvania
Half Marathons in both states outside the continental United States: Alaska & Hawaii
Cost
My least expensive race was the River Road Half Marathon at $0
My most expensive race was the Cape Fear Half Marathon at $169
The total of race registrations was (don’t tell my parents or my husband) just over $3000, including those purchased for family and friends who joined in the fun but not including race insurance that I purchased.
3-2-1 Challenges:
3 back-to-back race events with double half marathons
2 race weekends with multiple days of events
1 event with 2 races in one day
At the end of the year, I will provide an update on how everything went [2026 Challenge Reflection #30]. But in the meantime, I will post notes with my 6 favorite pictures from each race day. Thanks for your support, I might need it.