IRONMAN Montana to debut in Great Falls in August 2027
IRONMAN has announced that Montana’s first full-distance IRONMAN triathlon will take place in Great Falls on 15 August 2027. General registration for the inaugural IRONMAN Montana event is due to open on 29 October 2026.
Great Falls sits on the Missouri River in central Montana and is known as the “Electric City” and “Montana’s Basecamp for Art & Adventure”. The new event will combine the demands of a full-distance race with views across the plains towards the Rocky Mountain Front.
A full-distance course through Great Falls
The race is planned around a single-loop 2.4-mile swim in the Missouri River, followed by a single-loop 112-mile bike course heading west through Montana’s plains and cropland. Organisers say the bike leg will include approximately 3,000 feet of elevation gain, with views towards the Rocky Mountain Front and the Glacier region.
A two-loop 26.2-mile run will follow paths along the Missouri River before finishing at Elks Riverside Park, adjacent to the IRONMAN Village and transition area.
The race will offer qualifying slots for the 2027 IRONMAN World Championship.
IRONMAN and local leaders welcome the event
“Montana represents the type of destination that makes the IRONMAN journey so special, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring our next full-distance IRONMAN race to this truly special area of the country. From the Missouri River and expansive prairie landscapes to the incredible views toward the Rocky Mountain Front, this course will give athletes an opportunity to experience Big Sky Country in a truly unique way. Great Falls has an authentic sense of adventure and a welcoming community that aligns incredibly well with the IRONMAN spirit. We are proud to work alongside the City of Great Falls and our regional partners to bring this event to life and look forward to welcoming athletes from around the world to Montana.”
Tim Brosious, regional director for the IRONMAN Group, said.
“Great Falls was built by tenacious people with a deep connection to the land, and anyone who takes on a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile ride, and a full marathon in a day is exactly our kind of person. We worked to bring this race here because it puts our community among only ten places in North America to host an event at this level — a source of pride for our residents and an opportunity to generate significant economic impact for our community. We can’t wait to welcome these athletes and their families to the river, the plains, and the mountains that make this place worth the miles.”
Rebecca Engum, executive director of Great Falls Montana Tourism, said.
“We’re excited to welcome IRONMAN to Great Falls, and I want to thank the IRONMAN team for choosing our community to host Montana’s first full-distance event. This is a big deal for our city and a great opportunity to show people from around the world what makes Great Falls special. I know our community will welcome these athletes and their families with open arms, and I’m looking forward to seeing the Electric City come together for this incredible event.”
Great Falls City Manager Cory Reeves said.
Travel to Great Falls
Great Falls is around 3,300 feet above sea level and approximately 60 miles from the Rocky Mountain Front. The city has its own airport and is about 90 miles from Helena. Glacier National Park is less than three hours away by road, while Yellowstone National Park is around four hours away.
Featured image: Great Falls, Montana. Credit: Great Falls Montana Tourism.
Source: IRONMAN event announcement.
