Photos: The Rut Mountain Runs, 2015

Runners looking for a challenge headed to Big Sky, Mont., over the weekend to take part in The Rut Mountain Runs. The weekend of events, part of the Skyrunner World Series and the U.S. Skyrunner Series, consisted of a vertical kilometer race, an 11K, 25K and a 50K. The longest race featured 10,000 feet of elevation gain, and had 315 finishers. The winner was Italy’s Franco Colle’ in 5:16:58, while Sweden’s Emelie Forsberg won the women’s race in 6:25:44.

Here’s our gallery showing off the stunning scenery and challenging terrain that runners tackled. All photos by Myke Hermsmeyer (see more of his work on his website and Instagram)

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Race director Mike Foote overseeing the first annual Rut Runt Run held after the 25K on Saturday.

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The Rut race director Mike Wolfe sounds the elk bugle to start the 50K.

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Cristofer Clemente Mora leads Franco Colle at Headwaters Ridge early in the 50K.

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20-year-old Remi Bonnet from Charmey, Switzerland put together dominating performances on Friday and Saturday finishing first in the Vertical Kilometer and 25K.

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The Rut had a strong European presence this year but Montanan David Powder Steele represented the U.S. well by running the entire 25K with an American flag.

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Loose chossy rocks abound around The Rut course causing racers to be cautious both ascending and descending.

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Kaitlin McDonald from Bozeman, Mont., traversing Headwaters Ridge.

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Montana native and current Alaska resident Matt Shryock suffers his way up to Headwater's Ridge on his way to 3rd place.

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Kristina Pattison from Missoula, Montana descending on Headwaters Ridge on her way to 4th in The Rut 50K.

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Missoulian John Fiore running below Lone Peak after the first climb during The Rut 50K.

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Racers making a technical descent down Headwaters Ridge.

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Racers climb Bone Crusher Ridge to reach the high point of The Rut on Lone Peak (11,166') above Big Sky Resort.

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Spectators cheer on racers along Bone Crusher Ridge.

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Racers descend off the backside of Lone Peak during The Rut 25K.

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11-year-old Felix Hahn leads his parents up Bone Crusher Ridge during The Rut Vertical Kilometer.

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A racer scrambling up Lone Peak during The Rut 50K.

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The North Face athlete Hillary Allen had a rough start but pushed through to finish in 2nd place under the previous course record and behind Emelie Forsberg.

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A racer heads toward the finishing chute.

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Matt Shryock collapses at the finish line in third place.

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Max King struggles to get up at the finish line after finishing 6th in the 50K.

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Top three females at The Rut 50K: Emilie Forsberg (1st), Hillary Allen (2nd), and Martina Valmassoi (3rd).

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Top three males:
Franco Collé (1st), Cristofer Clemente Mora (2nd), and Matt Shryock (3rd).

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Max King making his best Luke Nelson (7th) impersonation.

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The winners, Franco Collé and Emilie Forsberg, donning their Skyrunner World Series jersey's.

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