Races
Copper Kings 100
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+7,240 ft-7,240 ft40 hours5,400 ft to 7,652 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookContinental Divide TrailOur Lady of the Rockiescopper buckleJune
Distance60 km
Gain+7,240 ft
Loss-7,240 ft
Altitude5,400 ft to 7,652 ft
Technicality5/10
Air35°F to 80°F
- Start6,932 ft
- High7,652 ft
- Low5,400 ft
- Finish6,932 ft
Field, 2026 · 4-year samplescraped
Starters146
Finish rate79%
Median32:57
Sub-2412
Geometryderived
Steepest drop1,247 ft-11.3% over 2.1 mi
Night miles9 misunset near 20:00 local
Weather at the cruxderived
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 Behrendt
Women21:39:11Kallie Smith
The cruxSeventeen miles from Our Lady to Nez Perce alone (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Copper Kings 100 runs 100.1 mi through Butte, Montana. +7,240 ft gain and -7,240 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 50.
The Work
Train for 7,240 feet of climbing across 100.1 mi. 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 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
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 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 90% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Seventeen miles from Our Lady to Nez Perce alone near mile 65 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 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Copper Kings 100 finish lines.
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Sources (1)
- Field stats (2026): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=130208