Race Information and FAQs

Q: What are future dates for the Governor’s Cup?

2024: June 7 & 8

2025: June 13 & 14 (tentative)

2026: June 12 & 13 (tentative)

Q: Is the Governor’s Cup Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The Governor’s Cup is a USATF Certified course (Course Number MT18002MF) and meets the Boston Marathon qualifying criteria.

Q: What is the Cancellation/Refund/Deferral/Race Change Policy?

CLICK HERE to view our updated policy on race cancellations, refunds, deferrals and race changes.

Q: What are the packet pickup details?

Registered runners must pick up their race packets on Friday, June 7, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Helena Downtown, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. You may have a family member or friend pick up your packet for you.

Race day packet pickup is not available for marathon and half marathon runners.

5K and 10K 0ut-of-town runners can pick up their packets the morning of race day at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 512 Logan Street.

Q: What are the race start times?

Marathon & Marathon Relay – Saturday, June 8: TBA

Half Marathon – Saturday, June 8: TBA.

10K – Saturday, June 8: TBA

5K – Saturday, June 8: TBA

Q: What is the average race weather?

Typically, pleasant with low humidity. The average high is 74 degrees, and the marathon and half marathon will start in the mid 50s.

Q: What are the course rules and safety?

All of the Governor’s Cup courses are marked very well, but it is open to traffic in most areas. There will be volunteers or police officers at most intersections. Please remain on the right side of the road unless otherwise directed. Because the course is open to traffic, we recommend that all participants wear bright clothing to improve visibility.

Dogs, bicycles, skateboards, and roller blades are not allowed on the courses. Watch for vehicles on the road at all times. Baby joggers are allowed, but please be advised that all participants are required to take a bus to the start and we ask that participants using a jogger start toward the back. There will be no official time for anyone taking longer than six hours. Aid stations, traffic control, volunteers, etc. will relinquish their posts based upon the six-hour completion time.

We ask that all faster participants yield right of way and go around when overtaking slower participants.

Participants should be aware that the full and half marathon courses merge at Clancy at roughly mile 13 of the marathon course. The marathon and half marathon will then merge with the 10K course at Colonial and Broadway, which is roughly mile 23 on the marathon course and mile 10 on the half marathon course.

If you experience medical issues while on the course, please look for a volunteer, bike monitor, or police officer. There is a fully staffed medical tent at the finish.

If you have to drop out of the race, please let a volunteer at an aid station or law enforcement officer know and they will arrange for you to be transported.

View the Course Maps

View the Governor’s Cup Waiver and Release form

Q: Are there aid stations on the course?

There are aid stations for the full marathon and half marathon courses roughly every three miles on the course. Each aid station will have water and HEED available to the runners. Hammer gel will also be available for runners in a variety of flavors.

Q: Are there toilets on the course?

Portable toilets will be provided at both start areas, the finish and at each aid station along the course. ADA compliant portable toilets will be available at the start lines and finish area.

Q: Marathon and half marathon race bags?

Registered runners will be given a Governor’s Cup gear bag at packet pickup. Please write your bib number on the squares on the bag in large, easy-to-read, numbers. We will only accept the gear bags provided, there will be NO other bags accepted. Both start lines will have a drop off area and your bag will be transported to the finish area. Please do not leave any valuables in your gear bag. Please make sure your gear bag has your correct race number written on it in LARGE, clear, writing.

Q: Will there be bus shuttles to the marathon and half marathon start?

All marathon and half marathon runners, as well as the first leg of the marathon relay teams, must take buses out to the starting lines. There is NO parking at either the full or half marathon start. The bus pickup will be at 301 S. Park Avenue from 4:15-5:45 a.m.

Q: What is the course time limit?

The half and marathon course officially close at 12:00 p.m., a six hour limit for marathon runners and five hour time limit for half marathon runners.

Q: Will there be timing/results posted?

All of the Governor’s Cup races will be chip timed with results posted online shortly after the race.

Q: What are the race awards?

Awards will be given for the top 3 overall finishers in the full, half, 10K and 5K. There will also be top awards given to the top 3 masters and seniors men and women in each race.

There will be an awards ceremony for top 3 overall in the Full, Half and 5k. There will also be top awards for the top 3 masters men and women in the full and half marathon.

All awards will be given out at the awards ceremony at 11 a.m. at Anchor Park, near the finish line. Please note that awards will not be mailed.

Q: Where is the finish line?

All of the Governor’s Cup races finish by going up historic Last Chance Gulch on the walking mall, with the finish line at Anchor Park. Spectators, family and friends can meet up with participants at Anchor Park.