Welcome Montana Members

Another year is upon us and as usual USATF Montana is starting up with a new season and programs. New for this year I put on the events pages some summaries that will be updated but should serve as a good quick look for competition opportunities. They are separated as Youth Competition; Montana Association Championships; and Montana Association Sanctioned events.
 
Starting with the Youth Page, I have listed events and where possible contact information for the Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field seasons as well as a place marker for Cross Country. In the indoor season our signature event is the BTC All-comers meet in Bozeman on February 2. New for this year we are seeking to recognize the top Montana USATF members in the high school age in each of the contested events. The intent is to show case the top member athletes and encourage more of the athletes competing to get their USATF Membership. For the outdoor season,  I slotted two developmental meets on open weekends leading up to the Montana Association JO Championship. As the season develops hopefully these meets will firm up and we will be able to pass information along. Additionally, If there are any clubs that are considering hosting local developmental meets, pass along your information and I will get the meets on the schedule. Developmental meets do not need to have all the events of a standard outdoor track meet so don’t be afraid to sanction a meet and run something that fits your needs. Region 11 JO Championship hosted in Provo Utah this year and then Nationals JO are in Greensboro North Carolina for those that are looking for some National Exposure. We have not yet determined the location or date for the JO Cross. But the same goes for developmental cross country meets, particularly for the younger athletes.
 
We have a full slate of Championship events. We would like to add a Mountain Ultra and Trail (MUT) championship as well as a Marathon Championship. For our Masters and Open athletes, the championships are centered on the Big Sky State Games in mid-July. The way it works is if you compete an any Track or Field events, the 5K, 10K, or ½ Marathon at the State Games and you are a USATF member you are automatically entered in the Montana Association Championship for that event. If you are the top finisher in your age group, you may just find a medal in your mailbox someday.
 
The third summary event and perhaps the one that I am most excited about offering our membership and the running community is a listing for Road and Trail events that have been sanctioned with Montana USATF. Where possible direct links to the event page will be included. This is one way we can support our event directors and the running community. Who knows, it may also seed a Road or Trail Grand Prix someday.

Finally, I want to extend my welcome to all of the new clubs that have been added with the assistance of our 2022 and 2024 Grow to Impact Grants. We currently have 27 sanctioned clubs (up from 13 in 2021). We still have some funds from the 2024 Grow to Impact Grant so we can continue to offer the mini grants to new clubs as well as microgrants to existing clubs assisting with hosting USATF events. 
  
As always feel free to contact me at president@montana.usatf.org with any ideas, questions, or concerns. .
 
Greg Mohl
President, Montana Association USATF