Thousands of runners, joggers and fitness walkers head to Great Falls for the annual Ice Breaker Road Race.
Frigid weather or not, the 40th annual Ice Breaker Road Race promises to attract more than 3,600 runners, joggers and fitness walkers to Great Falls Sunday, April 28.
The race, named one of the top 100 road races in the country by Runner’s World Magazine, offers a five-mile race, three-mile run and a one-mile run/fitness walk. Participants range from recreational walkers and families enjoying an outing, to serious competitive runners.
The course starts in downtown Great Falls at the Civic Center, heads east through the business district, winds through several residential neighborhoods, and crosses the scenic Central Avenue West Bridge before ending up back downtown.
The five-mile road race offers a competitive format; and the three-mile run offers both a competitive and recreational format. Pacer the Penguin challenges kids of all ages in the one-mile race.
The five-miler departs at 1 p.m., followed by the three-mile run at 2 p.m. and the one-mile race at 3 p.m. Stretch aerobics to music begin 20 minutes before each run on the steps of the Civic Center.
Registration is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Park and Recreation office at 1700 River Drive North, and moves to the Civic Center Convention Center on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday (race day) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The last opportunity to get in on early registration in person is April 19 at Park and Recreation or online Sunday, April 21; that’s also the last date to register without paying the $2 per entry late fee.
All participants who register by April 21 will be entered into a drawing for two prizes: Two bicycles, valued at $200 each; and a three-month membership from the PEAK Health and Wellness Center, a $174 value.
On-line registration is available at www.icebreakergf.com. Registration forms are also be available at Universal Athletic stores and Scheels Stores across Montana.
Entry fees are $14 for 10 and under, $20 for 11 and older, $58 for a family of four (each additional youth in the same household is $12). Each participant receives a 2019 Ice Breaker long sleeved t-shirt, a unique finisher medal, and lunch after the race.
The awards ceremony begins in the Convention Center at approximately 4 p.m. and will include prize drawings.