Route Description

Duathlon course is for those competing as an individual: Bike, Hike, Bike, Hike, Bike.

For those who are competing in the race as an individual you will began on August 9, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce in Libby. Be at least 30 minutes early.

You will have blue colored numbers. The support vehicles will also be marked in blue, make sure you put your gear in this vehicle.  The elevation gains and losses are listed below.

  • Libby, MT – 2,100’

  • McKay mountain road – 3,675’ (1,500’ gain)

  • McKay trailhead – 3,255’ (400’ loss)

  • McKay mountain – 5,785’ (2,500’ gain)

  • Howard lake – 4,100’ (750’ gain from trailhead)

  • Great Northern – 6,675’ (2,500’ gain)

  • Libby Chamber of Commerce (2,000’ loss)

Leg 1: The race will begin at the Chamber where you will ride your bike south on Hwy 2 for about 8 miles. (This is a paved highway) Riders will turn west onto Bear Cr. Rd. and continue on this road for 8 miles. (This road is paved and graveled) At the 8 mile marker riders will make another right hand turn and descend two miles to the McKay Mountain trailhead. This turn will be clearly marked, and the road is gravel.


Leg 2: You will hike up the McKay Mountain Trail. This trail is very steep. It gains 2,500 vertical feet in less than a mile. This is a good trail nothing technical about it just good strong legs. At the top of McKay the view is breath taking – as is the climb! You will have a great view of the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness. There will be a person at the top to check in with. After checking in, participants will head back down to the trailhead. Editors note: This mountain will make or break you - it will wear your legs out. So race smart and be careful.

Leg 3: Down at the trailhead, you will get back on your bike and ride to Howard Lake. This leg is all on a gravel road with about a 750’ vertical gain. There will be markers to guide your route to Howard Lake. This leg is approximately 13 miles long. There will be a water/fluid station here as well.

Leg 4: Upon reaching the lake, you will get back into your hiking shoes and will be taking another trail to the top of Great Northern Mountain. This trail is a little over 3 miles for a total of 6 miles hiked. The climb is another 2,500 vertical feet. This hike will not be very steep at the beginning and you will be doing most of the climbing toward the end. The view up here is amazing. You could have the opportunity to see all kinds of wildlife as well as historical mine sights. There will be volunteers at the top of this mountain to check in with before you head back down. Once at the bottom, be sure to visit the water/fluid station before beginning the final leg of the race.

Leg 5: Jump on your bike and ride back to the chamber of commerce. This course will take you down Libby Creek Road (14 miles) until you hit Highway 2 where you will take
a left-hand turn. You will ride approximately 12 miles back to the chamber.