Races

Copper Kings 100

Butte, MontanaJune

Belmont Mine start. Sixty-three miles of Continental Divide Trail around Butte. Our Lady of the Rockies at mile 58. Mining town grit at altitude.

60 km+8,022 ft-8,022 ft40 hours5,400 ft to 7,652 fttech 9/106 stationsContinental Divide TrailOur Lady of the Rockiescopper buckleJune
Distance60 km
Gain+8,022 ft
Loss-8,022 ft
Altitude5,400 ft to 7,652 ft
Technicality9/10
Air35°F to 80°F
Gradient profileCourse GPX
  • Start6,932 ft
  • High7,652 ft
  • Low5,400 ft
  • Finish6,932 ft
Aid stations6 stops verified
  1. Butte at mile 0.0
  2. Copper Kings 100 mile 8 at mile 7.5, cutoff 8 hours
  3. Copper Kings 100 mile 15 at mile 15, cutoff 16 hours
  4. Copper Kings 100 mile 22 at mile 22, cutoff 24 hours
  5. Copper Kings 100 mile 30 at mile 30, cutoff 32 hours
  6. Finish Montana at mile 37, cutoff 40 hours

Field, 2026 · 4-year sampleresults

Starters146
Finish rate79%
Median32:57
Sub-2412

Geometrycourse math

Steepest drop1,194 ft-10.9% over 2.1 mi
Night miles9 misunset near 20:00 local

Weather at the cruxcourse math

At hour 15 of race, feels like 31 C (88 F). 71 percent chance of rain.Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 15 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 31 C / 88 F.

Course records

Men17:49:01Adam Behrendt2026 results
Women21:39:11Kallie Smith2026 results

The cruxSeventeen miles from Our Lady to Nez Perce alone (near mile 24)

Course DNA

The Course

Copper Kings 100 runs 60 km through Butte, Montana. +8,022 ft gain and -8,022 ft loss. Surfaces skew 90% trail / 10% dirt road. Seventeen miles from Our Lady to Nez Perce alone. High point near 7,652 ft. Low near 5,400 ft. June temps run 35°F to 80°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 19.

The Work

Train for 8,022 feet of climbing across 60 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 40 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 9/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 24.

Kit

June in Butte, Montana: plan for 35°F to 80°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 40 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 9. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 90% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 19.

Race Day

Hold effort through mile 9. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 19. Seventeen miles from Our Lady to Nez Perce alone near mile 24 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 12 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.

Results

Copper Kings 100 finish lines.

Copper Kings 100

100 MilerButte

Sources (1)

Copper Kings 100