Montana Women’s Run will hold its 45th race this year in downtown Billings – drawing over 5000 women of all ages to run or walk the 2-mile or 5-mile course. As always the event is held the Saturday before Mother’s Day, this year that’s May 9, 8 am. (details at womensrun.org).

Over the years, thanks to runners and sponsors, the Montana Women’s Run has contributed close to $2 million — $1,927,500 — to local organizations and worthwhile causes.

Since this is the Run’s 45th year, following are some of the highlights of those 45 years  – some will be significant only to the hard-working volunteers but they are all interesting points to remember.

Some

Miscellaneous Facts

1986

1st Pasta Night, 1st Cong. Church

      — Mary Ann Souza, speaker

1986 1st Getting Started Clinic –

     with 8-week format

1987  1st Pasta Night at YWCA —

     Dr. Joan Ullyot, speaker

1988 Artist of logo: Nancy Halter

1988  1st Challenge Cup — 13 entries; 

 2006  changed to Team Up

1990  1st year on computer

1st Kids’ Run — 2002 Snowed out;   

    2010 Winded out; 2020 and 2021,

     not held (COVID)

1994  1st donated money —

     $3000 to YW, $1000 to YRR

1994 1st year, Steve Johnson Course

      Dir.; last year 2014

1996 Changed name from Woman to

         Women

1996 1st year Sylvia Parman; Nancy

     Roe instrumental in registration

        1998; last year for both: 2011

1997 1st year website, Jim Huertas;

        New website 2011, 2013

1997 1st fini (results publication)

1997 1st Masters Division; 2001 1st

         Super Masters Division

1997 1st gave $100 bills (donated by

         banks)

1997 1st Volunteer of the Year award 

         (John Standish)

1997 New Start banner (green); 2011

    new pink, one sided; 2012

         second side

1999 Robin Aalseth made the

  barricades

2002 Shoe made for St. Patrick’s Day

       Parade

2004 Incorporated………………………..

2004 1st 90+ Age Group

2005 1st divided the 80’s Age Group

        into 80-84 and 85-89

2006 1st Post Office box, #2530

2006 John Standish put wheels on

        The Shoe

2006 1st year storage unit: Ace Storage

        Center

2008 1st used chip timing —

    Celia Bertoia, Perfect

 Timing

2009 1st Cape & Tiara;

2018  name changed to Pat

   Jaffray Inspiration

        Award

2010 New Finish banner &

     pictures  (pink), with

  scaffolding    

2013 Became RRCA Club

 Member

2018 1st year Virtual Race

2020 1st Pint Night Thirsty

             Street; no

        Pasta Night Dinner

2020 All Virtual because of

   government closures

  (COVID)

2020 1st Year Getting

   Started Clinics at

        Pioneer Park

2021 Also all Virtual

2022  Live again

2023  Getting Started Clinics

    shortened  to only 4 week

Inflatable arches for Start

   and Finish, shared with

     Big Sky State Games

2025 Handed out age-group

    medals without

         announcing them