SHATS – South Hills Annual Trail Series

Note – The original SHATS series ended in 2022.

Michael Chapman took photos at the 2022 SHATS Race #4 finale and has kindly provided access to his Google photo album.

As of 2023, BQuickRunning still offers three of the same races, with some changes. Click the links below for details! Runners of all skill levels are welcome to enter any of these events. Those who tackle all three can qualify for special ‘SHATS’ prizes. BE THE GOAT!

Little Blackfoot 20k or 10k

Dark Knight 5k (night race)

Ridge Rumble 12k

Pre-race briefing at the 2021 SHATS Race #4, held at the Elkhorn Endurance Retreat southeast of Helena

The Races (2022)

Race #1 – GOATS IN THE MEADOW: Saturday, August 20, 2022, 9:00 AM (or 8:00 early start) | Approx. 15k

Results posted below and at UltraSignup

Where: Little Blackfoot River Trailhead near Kading Campground

This is the longest race in the 2022 series at 15k (approx. 9.3 miles). The lush out-and-back course provides great views of the Little Blackfoot River with a net uphill on the way to scenic Blackfoot Meadow (4.6 mi). Take in the view before heading back downhill. Watch for toe-snagging roots as well as runners coming toward you. You will cross the river twice (these crossings have bridges) as well as a very small creek that is easy to cross on foot. If you’re lucky you’ll see a moose in the distance.

Directions: Carpooling is encouraged. Allow 45 minutes to an hour to get to the race from Helena. Head west on Hwy 12 for about 17 miles. After crossing MacDonald Pass and shortly before reaching Elliston, turn left onto Little Blackfoot Road. You’ll see signs for YMCA Camp Child and Kading Campground (15 miles). There is one fork in the road; go right (there should be a SHATS sign). Follow the signs to Kading Campground, but don’t turn into the campground when you get there; continue to the end of the road to the parking area. Please DO NOT park in the turnaround; park along the road. Walk past the turnaround and you’ll see the BQuickRunning tent just a short distance up the trail.

Race #2 – GOATS IN THE DARK: Friday, September 9, 2022 – 9:00 PM | Approx. 5k

Results posted below and at UltraSignup

Where: Intersection of LeGrande Cannon Blvd and Silverette St on Helena’s upper west side (1/2 mi west of Tubbs Trailhead)

B.Y.O.H. – “Bring Your Own Headlamp” for approx. 5k (3.1 miles) of fun in the dark! From the start/finish line, runners head east on LeGrande Cannon Blvd for about 1/2 mi before accessing Mt. Helena at Tubbs trailhead. The course makes a single loop along the Ambrose and Diretissima Trails before runners return to LeGrande Cannon Blvd via the Panhandle Trail, sprinting the final 1/4 mile on the road. Trails will be marked by glow sticks, and volunteers will help make sure you don’t miss any turns in the dark. (To view a map on MapMyRun, click here.)

Directions: If coming from the west on Highway 12, turn right on Henderson St. on Helena’s west side. Go all the way to the top of the hill, turn right on LeGrande Cannon Blvd and follow it until it turns to a dirt road and ends at the intersection of Silverette St.

If coming from the north, south, or east: At exit I-15 (Capital exchange) follow Prospect Ave. to Montana Ave. Turn right and then get in the left lane to follow highway 12 through town toward Missoula. Continue west on Lyndale Ave, past Carroll College. Lyndale turns into Euclid Ave on the west side of Helena. Follow Euclid to Henderson St. and turn left. Go all the way to the top of the hill, turn right on LeGrande Cannon Blvd and follow it until it turns to a dirt road, ending at the intersection of Silverette St. You may need to head downhill and park along Silverette.

Race #3 – GOAT PURSUIT: Sunday, September 25, 2022 – 9:00 AM | Approx. 10k

Results posted below and at UltraSignup

Where: Mt. Helena Ridge Trailhead, located approx. 5 1/2 miles south of Helena via S Park Ave and Grizzly Gulch Rd. This is the second-longest race of the series at about 6.6 miles.

>>>>> TRANSPORTATION (updated 9/19/2022): Due to the loss of Helena’s Trail Rider shuttle and an ongoing shortage of school bus drivers, THERE WILL BE NO SHUTTLE SERVICE THIS YEAR. Instead, runners can meet at the Lewis & Clark Library, 120 S Last Chance Gulch, at 8:00 am to arrange carpooling to the Mt. Helena Ridge trailhead.

>>> PARKING: For those leaving a car in town, there is plenty of parking on S Park Ave near the library or in the gravel lot across the street. Limited parking also is available at the race finish at the Dump Gulch Trailhead (approx. 1 mile SW of the library, on the way up to the start line). If a few of you are available after the race to shuttle folks back up to the top to retrieve their vehicles, we’d appreciate it!

This race is run in time trial or “pursuit” format, where runners with slower race times will start earlier, and the fastest runners will start last. A runner will be sent off every 30 seconds starting at 9:00 am. If this is your first time running this race, please send a recent 10K or 12K time to Brian at bquick50k[at]hotmail.com to be slotted in between other runners of similar pace.

Runners climb switchbacks near the start of the race to the Mt Helena Ridge trail, which then is mostly rolling or downhill on moderately technical singletrack. Past the 5-mile mark, the course makes a sharp right onto Dump Gulch trail for a short but steep climb, followed by a long downhill to the finish at the trailhead along Grizzly Gulch Rd. If you left a car near the L&C Library, it’s about a mile walk back. [Click HERE for race route]

Race #4 – GOAT GRIND: Sunday, October 9, 2022 – 10:00 AM | Approx. 4 miles

NOTE: 2022 was the final year for a SHATS race at the Elkhorn Endurance Retreat! We thank longtime supporters Jim and Bobbie Pomroy for providing access to their amazing property all these years.

Where: Elkhorn Mountains near Montana City, starting and ending at the Elkhorn Endurance Retreat (597 McClellan Creek Rd). Click here to get directions (Google Maps)

This 4-mile race has it all — beautiful fall scenery, steep climbs, a creek crossing, and some moderately technical singletrack. One series champion referred to the course as a “meat grinder”! The race caps off the series with fun awards and great prize drawings.