Vision:
Against the backdrop of the rugged and untamed Gallatin Mountain Range in Montana, a small band of athletes will test everything they’ve come to learn and love about the sport of trail running. A nearly impossible challenge awaits them as they attempt the unthinkable – run 350 miles with 80 thousand feet of climb – nearly three times the height of Mt Everest – in 162 hours. Navigating through America at its most beautiful, these hearty souls will deal with unforeseen conditions – from red hot exposed mountainsides during the day to freezing cold temperatures in the deep of night. They’ll battle rain, sleet, hail, thunder, lightning while trying to steer clear of grizzlies, moose and other predatory wildlife. Mix in sleep deprivation and hallucinations and they’ll be lucky to make it through with their bodies and minds intact.
Brought together by veteran ultrarunner Helgi Olafson and filmed by acclaimed director Matt Van Horn and cinematographer Tony Hill, this documentary will bring the captivating stories of everyday heroes as they battle pain and pride. Throughout the adventure the beauty of this Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem will be on full display, along with the strength of community, the value of giving back and the sheer benefits of doing hard things. This is the inaugural Big Sky 350: The Mighty Gallatin.
The Odds are Against Them:
Helgi Olafson
Helgi Olafson is a professional superyacht chef, ultrarunner and health activist with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Olafson has made it his life’s mission to raise awareness of his condition by using endurance sports as a platform to inspire his audience with a “movement as medicine” approach.
Olafson has over ten sanctioned 200+ mile race finishes under his belt, including the 2018 and 2021 Triple Crown of 200s. Though he started as a triathlete, once he ran his first trail run, he was hooked and couldn’t wait to share the journey. For Olafson, trail running is a team sport, and Mother Nature is on our team. Olafson created the Big Sky 350 to bring together trailrunning friends who are proven leaders in their communities as well as stewards of the environment. The thought of a challenge in rugged wilderness with a slim chance of finishing “seemed like a good idea.”
Olafson will use the Mighty Gallatin as a test run for future events of varying distances which he plans to organize to provide a lasting platform for runners to challenge themselves.
Projects & Media
Road Dog Podcast: Helgi Olafson Runs Beyond the Triple Crown of 200s
The Training for Ultra Podcast: Movement as Medicine - Helgi Olafson's Trans Triple Crown Adventures
Runner's World Article: A Joint Disease Can’t Stop Helgi Olafson From Running Ultramarathons
Web MD Video: Advocate for yourself with AS
P.C. Howie Stern
Hector Rodriguez
Hector is an elite ultra-runner who started the sport in 2018 and already has over 20 ultra-marathon finishes under his belt.
In 2021, Hector became one of less than 100 people that have completed the elusive Triple Crown of 200s, which consists of running the Bigfoot 200, Tahoe 200, and Moab 240 all within a three month window.
Hector is constantly looking to take on some of the toughest challenges available, which has led him to participate in the inaugural Big Sky 350.
Projects & Media:
RunTriMag Article: What’s My Next Challenge? – Hector Rodriguez
Becoming Ultra Podcast: My First Ultra: 42 Hector Rodriguez
The Danny Miranda Podcast: Hector Rodriguez - Keep Going
Emo Brown Podcast: Hector Rodriguez: Ultra Endurance Athlete
Sarah “Raw Dog” Riordan
Sarah Riordan is a home grown phenom. A Montana native for 31 years, she was raised in Butte, MT. Both curious and rational, she is driven by a strong desire to learn, explore, and seek the unconditional path.
Described by most as bold, kind, stubborn, thoughtful, funny and compassionate, she loves the proximity and access to trails, mountains, and family. Fairly new to the sport of ultra-running she’s made a quick mark having placed second at the Bighorn 100 last year.
An ardent supporter of the Gallatin National Avalanche Foundation), Big Sky Youth Empowerment and the Gallatin River Foundation, she’s looking to lay it all out on the line for the Big Sky 350. As she says, “I want to run in my backyard and explore places I have never been, but also to show what it takes to leave a minimal footprint. I want to meet like minded people and be a part of a family on the trail. I want to explore what seems impossible and not only prove it to myself but inspire other people to put one foot in front of the other.”
Van Horn Pictures
Matt Van Horn is a photographer, filmmaker, and ultra-runner. Matt blends his passion of ultra-running with his talent for creating immersive and authentic content in order to share the unique stories that only mountain-based endurance sports and athletes can provide.
Feature Film:
Tony Hill
Tony Hill is a mountain-running cinematographer, photographer, and ultrarunner. His passion is to go deep into the mountains to the most difficult and epic locations wielding the best lightweight cinematic equipment to produce the most captivating footage possible.
Additional Participants:
Joining Helgi, Hector and Sarah are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, landscapers, wood workers, and deli clerks. Everyday people, both young and “old” with an internal fire to find the other side of limits by making the impossible possible through hard work and the will to succeed. Coming from all corners of America, these seasoned runners have been waiting for an adventure that will require every ounce of everything they have to give and that still may not be enough. Watch the journey unfold as this band of humans embarks on their mission to endure the Big Sky 350.
Event Overview
Route: 349.17 miles. View route.
Elevation Change: 152,664 ft
Dates: September 5th - September 11th 2022
Location: Big Sky, Montana
In addition to raising funds for the documentary, a GoFundMe was created at the request of many of our local running clubs and supporters so they can actively get behind this project. The campaign has a dual purpose:
The first is to support the Gallatin Valley Land Trust. While the architect and driving force of the Big Sky 350 and this campaign, Helgi Olafson, lived in Montana and ran most of the trails that make up this incredible challenge, many of the athletes putting their health and sanity on the line are from other corners of the country. What draws them in is the collective need and effort to protect the trails in Montana and trails like these all over America. A movement starts somewhere. This is how!
Fifty percent of all funds raised will go directly to the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, which connects people to the landscapes surrounding us by conserving open spaces and creating trail systems. The Trust also provides spaces for children to get outside, protects habitat for our area’s most iconic wildlife species, keeps working farms working, offers world-class outdoor recreation from Main Street to the Mountains, and so much more. In short, The Trust preserves the things that make the Gallatin Valley a great place to live.
Additionally, the other half of funds raised will go to support the making of the documentary which will capture the compelling and collective adventure story of the participating trail runners against the backdrop of the beautiful and striking Gallatin Valley and surrounding wild spaces. The goal of the film is to continue highlighting the need to protect these treasured trails and open spaces long after the last runner crosses the finish line.
Sponsorship Levels and Benefits:
Presenting Sponsor ($5,000):
- Distribution of the film through your company's YouTube channel or website.
- Product placement within a brief segment of the film
- Primary brand promotion in the opening credits of the film (Example: "Presented by: your company")
- Product placement within a segment of the film that highlights your brand logo.
- Company logo placement on social media promotion of the film.
- Company logo placement on teaser trailer (~60s short) for social media promotion of film.
Supporting Sponsor ($2,000):
- Supporting brand promotion in the opening credits of the film (Example: "In association with: your company").
- Product placement within a brief segment of the film.
- Company logo placement on social media promotion of the film.
- Company logo placement on teaser trailer (~60s short) for social media promotion of film.
Film Festivals:
We will submit this film for consideration to the following film festivals (additional festivals to be considered):
