MISSOULA – Sunday is arguably the busiest day for Missoula of the year.
Runners and athletes of all ages are taking over the streets for the Missoula Marathon with 46% of the participants coming from outside of Montana.
Many of them visited with volunteer with destination Missoula, Kathy Bartlett, to find out the best places to eat, shop and sight-see to truly enjoy Missoula before the big race.
It’s really interesting — their questions. They’ve had questions from ‘where do I find a float tube so I can go over there on the river?’ To, ‘where can I find pasta and beer so I can carb-up for the race tomorrow’?” Destination Missoula volunteer Kathy Bartlett said.
“So it’s been a real variety but it’s wonderful that people are here in Missoula and they want to partake in whatever is going on here,” she added.
Hundreds of people filtered through downtown Missoula to register or check in on Saturday where they could purchase supplies or gifts to remember their trip.
Many of them packed their new mementos into bright orange drawstring bags gifted to each runner.
Volunteers were smiling, excited for events to come.
“Well, the whole system for the marathon runs on volunteers — taking hundreds of volunteers to put this wonderful event on. I’m just privileged to be here with Destination Missoula and talk about the great city of Missoula,” Bartlett told MTN News.
The marathon kicked off at 6 a.m. on Sunday.
