The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Posts Tagged ‘Run Wild Missoula’

Register Today for the River City Roots Run and SUP Cup

The 10th annual River City Roots Festival is next weekend. Register for the four-mile fun run and the stand-up paddle board contest. Both races will be held on Sat., Aug. 29th.... more

Roots Run Registration Party Friday August 1st

The MDA and Run Wild Missoula will host a River City Roots Run Registration Party Friday, Aug. 1 from 5-8 pm at Runner’s Edge and the alley behind the store located at 304 North Higgins. ... more

How Different Would the World Be if Everyone Ran?

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Distance Masters Runner of Year, Anne Audain reflects on the impact of running in our world: “Running gave me the courage to fight the great fight".... more

5th Annual Missoula Mile Benefits Team Up Montana And Men’s Cancer Awareness

By Eva Dunn- Run Wild Missoula’s 5th Annual Missoula Mile will be on Sun, June 1 at 9:00 am. Proceeds benefit Team Up Montana and men’s cancer awareness and treatment programs. ... more

Missoula Runners Prove Their Resilience in 2014 Boston Marathon

By Eva Dunn-Froegbig - 13 Missoulians ran in the 2014 Boston Marathon. So what did it mean to them this year? For some it meant unfinished business; for others they ran to show support for the victims.... more

Celebrate Earth Day with 6th Annual Superfun(d) 10k, 5k, or 1 Mile Fun Run

By Hillary Ogg- Join Run Wild Missoula in celebrating Earth Day with the 6th Annual Superfun(d) 10K, 5K, or 1 mile fun run, on Saturday April 19th!... more

Run Wild Missoula Contributes $20,000 to Hellgate Track Resurfacing Project

Run Wild Missoula has contributed $20,000 to the resurfacing of Hellgate Track at John Toole Park (Riverbowl).... more

Run For the Luck of It

By HILLARY OGG - Are you feeling lucky? Do you feel the need to dress head to toe in Kelly green? Come on down to Sean Kelly’s on Saturday morning and run the Run For The Luck Of It!... more

Get Out of the Cold at the Indoor New Year’s Eve Two-Mile Prediction Run

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Get an early start on your New Year’s resolutions with Run Wild Missoula’s New Year’s Eve Two-Mile Prediction Run on Tues., Dec.31 at 6 p.m. at the PEAK's indoor track.... more

Run through the Winter with RWM’s Boston/Spring Marathon Training Class

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Local runners can stay motivated to run all winter and train for the Boston Marathon with Run Wild MIssoula's Boston / Spring Marathon Training Class.... more

The 7th Running of the Missoula Marathon – July 14

The 7th Running of the Missoula Marathon to Take Place on July 14. Over 6,500 Participants Expected in the Missoula Marathon, Half Marathon, 5k and Kids Marathon, July 13 – 14; The Marathon and Half Marathon ... more

Challenge Yourself — by Running

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Eva Dunn-Frobig blogs about how to challenge yourself by running. Her own story is shared, along with the story of Brian Boyle, Iron Heart author, as examples. ... more

Missoula Runner Sara Stahl Reflects on Her Experiece at the Boston Marathon

By SARA STAHL - I’m on my way home from Boston. I was among the 25,000 people who awoke yesterday to run the world’s greatest marathon and went to bed having been at the heart of a national tragedy. ... more

This Week’s Missoula News Highlights – Week of April 15

By TOM DIDDEL- A recap of the week’s most talked-about stories in Missoula: Maclay Bridge, two Missoula arsons, Missoula Race to benefit Boston Marathon bombing victims, Montana senators split on gun vote ... more

Run Wild Missoula Encourages Community to Continue to Run and Honor Boston

Run Wild Missoula encourages the community to continue to run and race in honor of those affected by the violence at the Boston Marathon, including at the Superfun(D) 10k, 5k and 1 mile on April 20 in Bonner.... more

Returning to Missoula Marathon Training After an Injury

By DAVID SCHMETTERLING - Training for the Boston Marathon Marathon in 2010 went great. I was at the peak of my running and poised for a personal record. But then things started falling apart .... more

Missoula Marathon Run Training Program Starts March 10

Over 350 people will meet in the new classroom space in the basement of the Runner’s Edge, 304 N. Higgins Ave., at 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 10 to start training for July’s Missoula Marathon.... more

From Afghanistan to the Back of the Pack

By HEATHER JENNER - While moving from Afghanistan to Missoula was hard, joining Run Wild Missoula and the Back of the Pack was one of the smartest things I've done.... more

Smoky Health Concerns: Is 2012 the Worst Smoke Season Ever?

By BEN SCHMIDT - With the long wildfire season, people are asking the Missoula City-County Health Department how it compares, and is it the worse smoke season ever?... more

Calling All Divas! Join the All-Women’s 5K Run on Missoula Diva Day

By SUE FALSEY - This year's Diva Day festivities begin at 9:30 on October 6 with the All-Women's 5K. Costumes are encouraged, so prepare to be fabulous!... more

Get Fit and Have Fun with National Run@Work Day

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - At noon on Friday, Sept. 21, local employers will host group runs/walks to celebrate national Run@Work Day, with help from Run Wild Missoula.... more

Get into a Back-to-School Running Routine

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Autumn is one of the big running seasons in Missoula, and I find that this time of year is one of the best times to get into a running routine.... more

The Run of My Life: The Hardrock 100-Mile Endurance Race

By JOHN HART - This July, I ran the 100-mile Hardrock race in Colorado. I often thought about the encouragement the Missoula running community gave me in the effort.... more

What Does the Future Hold? Long-Range Planning for Run Wild Missoula

By DAVID SCHMETTERLING - Here in Missoula, we have a successful running club: 1400+ runners of all levels, a fantastic marathon, and more. What does the future hold?... more

Get Inspired by Run Wild Missoula’s Beginner Runner Training Class

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Were you inspired by the Missoula Marathon? Run Wild Missoula will offer a eight-week Beginner Runner Training Class starting Aug. 15.... more

The Clumsy Ninjas Take on the Waterton-Glacier Relay

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - The Waterton-Glacier Relay is a 100-mile race from Cardston, Alberta to East Glacier. My team, the Clumsy Ninjas, were up for the challenge.... more

Missoula Marathon Cool-Down: Set a Post-Race Running Goal

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Scores of competitors from around the world ran the Missoula Marathon last weekend. To keep up the running mojo, try setting a post-race goal.... more

The Run-Up to the Marathon: Ingredients for a Great Race

By TRISHA DROBECK - The Missoula Marathon has a formula for putting on a good race: Focus on participants' experience instead of gimmicks to rack up the numbers.... more

The Run-Up to the Marathon: Missoula Marathon Gear Bags

By WAYNE CHAMBERLAIN - It's the little things, like water stops, first aid, and good food that make a race special. So it is with the Missoula Marathon Gear Bag Program.... more

The Run-Up to the Marathon: Back of the Pack Cheerleaders

By PAM GARDINER - Long after the crowd has thinned, the Back of the Pack cheerleaders stay until the very last (best) runner has crossed the Missoula Marathon finish line.... more

The Run-Up to the Marathon: Co-Course Director Mike Foote

By MIKE FOOTE - As a Missoulian and Co-Course Director, it is so important to me to support so many runners in realizing their goals at the Missoula Marathon on July 8.... more

The Great Pre-Race Missoula Marathon Course Clean-Up

By VO VON SEHLEN - The Missoula Marathon showcases Missoula to runners from all over the world. We need your help to clean up the course and put our best foot forward! ... more

Missoula Marathon Volunteers Have More Fun!

By JERI DELYS - The Missoula Marathon is just weeks away, and the buzz is really starting to hit the streets of Missoula. It's not too late to sign up to be a volunteer!... more

Reflections on Coming in Last Place at the Pengelly Double Dip

By MISTY GAUBATZ - I signed up for the Pengelly Double Dip race with no idea what I was getting myself into. I may even have been mildly intoxicated. Mildly.... more

A Saturday Breakfast Walk/Run on Waterworks Hill

By MARILYN MARLER - Each Saturday at 8, a group of runners meet for the Breakfast Run. Last week, we headed to Waterworks Hill to see spring's latest wildflowers.... more

Pengelly Double Dip Celebrates Missoula’s Trails and Friends

By KEVIN TWIDWELL - In addition to honoring David Pengelly, the 2012 Pengelly Double Dip is a tribute to Micah True, also known as Caballo Blanco of “Born to Run" fame.... more

May 30 Training Run for the Missoula Kids’ Marathon

By KATHLEEN DEVLIN - Hey families! The Missoula Kids' Marathon training run is May 30 at 5:30 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. There will be music and a Monte visit!... more

Run for Fun with Missoula Youth Track

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Kids in kindergarten through middle school can join Missoula Youth Track, a four-week program that introduces kids to the fun of running. ... more

Start ‘Em Young! The Paxson Elementary School Running Club

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - When my son started kindergarten at Paxson Elementary, I was really excited for him to be part of was the Paxson Running Club.... more

Running a Long Way: The Spokane River Run Ultramarathon

By ANNA RUSSELL - I never thought I would run an ultramarathon, but after racing in the River Run 50K Ultramarathon in Spokane recently, I think I've changed my mind.... more

Safety and Self-Defense for Runners

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - On Monday, Run Wild Missoula and the Runner’s Edge hosted a “Safety and Self-Defense for Runners” seminar. Here's some tips for running safely.... more

Running Buddies Forever: At the Back of the Pack

By PAM GARDINER - A year ago, Carol Drake and Donna Bennett were new runners. Today, they sport a great friendship and matching Back of the Pack tattoos.... more

Catch the Run Wild Missoula Bus to Bloomsday

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Run Wild Missoula’s bus to Bloomsday on May 6 is an easy way for runners to get to Spokane for the race and back in one day. And it's fun!... more

Join Run Wild Missoula’s Tuesday Track Workouts

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Olympian Courtney Babcock coaches Run Wild Missoula's Tuesday Track workouts at Dornblazer Field. All ages and abilities are welcome!... more

Running, Walking, and Connecting at a Conversational Place

By PAM GARDINER - The Run Wild Missoula Back of the Pack is celebrating its one year anniversary. We run, walk, converse, and socialize. Everyone is welcome - join us!... more

Walk a Marathon? You Can Do It with Run Wild Missoula!

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Run Wild Missoula's class will help you train to walk the Missoula Marathon. Learn how to walk more efficiently, increase endurance, and more.... more

So Many Reasons to Run for the Luck of It!

By JEN VON SEHLEN - On Saturday, March 10th, Run Wild Missoula presents the third annual Run for the Luck of It! 7-Mile, 5K, and Kids’ Dash.... more

Photo Finish: Neil Chaput de Saintonge for Run Wild Missoula

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Run Wild Missoula and the Rocky Mountain School of Photography Gallery will host a running photo exhibit that opens on Friday, March 2.... more

Back of the Pack Runners’ Book Club

By PAM GARDINER - A spotlight on books written for the slower runners at the Back of the Pack. John “The Penguin” Bingham is a master of books for the BOP.... more

Ready, Set, Train! for the Missoula Marathon

By EVA DUNN-FROEBIG - Is completing a marathon on your bucket list? Join Run Wild Missoula for its Missoula Marathon training class that begins on March 4. ... more