THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE BIGGIE

The Fifth Annual Big Sky Biggie was the muddiest, most challenging and biggest Biggie to date with 733 registrations.

We raised $30,000 in total, with $15,000 donated to SWMMBA Big Sky and another $15,000 to BSCO.   The Biggie also provided $2,500 to Big Sky Search and Rescue for their services and support the day of the event, and another $1,000 to Big Sky SNO for their services the day of our event.

The fourth annual Big Sky Biggie sold-out to 500 racers – our largest event to date.

The Biggie donated $6,000 to SWMMBA Big Sky and $6,000 to BSCO.   The Biggie also donated $1,000 to Big Sky Search and Rescue for their services and support the day of the event.  

A Pre-Race Dinner Fundraiser was also provided and organized by the Noble Family and Live Noble Foundation, which brought in an additional $1,155 to SWMMBA Big Sky to go directly towards Tanner’s Way (North Fork Connector) Trail.  

The third annual Big Sky Biggie sold-out to 250 racers and was another successful event!

Continuing to build momentum, we invested in capital assets.  Our major purchase was a trailer for equipment and supplies which will reduce ongoing costs for storage.

The Biggie donated $4,000 to SWMMBA Big Sky and $4,000 to BSCO.   The Biggie also donated $500 to Big Sky Search and Rescue for their services and support the day of the event.  Racers donated food items, and together we were able to give 150 lbs of high quality food to Big Sky Food Bank.   And finally, 13 COVID-19 Immunizations were given by HealthCare Connections at the race venue.

Despite efforts to put together an event that would meet all COVID-related mandates, we were unable to hold an event in 2020.  However, funds were still raised for our main benefactor, the Big Sky Community Organization.

During the 2020 registration process, we provided a method for participants to donate any amount directly to the our charity organization (BSCO).   We didn’t hold a 2020 event, and all participants were rolled over to the 2021 event, unless they requested a refund.   Regardless of their status (refund or deferred), we received $1,204.30 in donations that were sent to Big Sky Community Organization.

We would like to personally thank the individuals and organizations that donated to the Big Sky Community Organization:

Adam Sebastian
Alec Steele
Alex Burkhalter
Andrew Laskowski
Barry Yaskus
Ben Still
Brad Jepson
Brett Felton
Chad Wilson
Christopher Rich
Clark LaCouture
David Waters
Deb Lewis
Erin Hess
George Davison
Hans Lien
Hunter Bay Coffee Roasters
Jared Rowbury
Jay Rutherford
Jeffery Banks
Jill Serocki
Justin Nett
Keith Brumund-Smith
Kyle Rafford
Luke Edgar
Merrick Running
Michael Fiorentino
Michael Snyder
Mitchell Castricone
Morgan Comey
Nathan Durham
Pat Lapekas
Peter Von Doersten
PJ Gallagher
Poertner Family
Rick Gulan
Sara Berkstresser
Sarah Bothner
Shane Knowles
Suzanne Samardich
Terrence Cahill
Todd Sack
Wallace Casper

For 2021, we will again collect direct donations from participants at registration.  We will also provide an overall donation amount based on the net profits from the event.   We are really looking forward to hosting an event in 2021.

The second annual Big Sky Biggie brought over 220 racers to the town of Big Sky, and was another successful event.

Building on the momentum from the inaugural event, we were able to invest in capital assets, such as a large finish arch and other equipment which will reduce our future costs by not having to rent.   Investing a portion of the revenue from the 2019 event, meant we had less to donate back to the community.  But, we were still able to donate $3,500 to our main benefactor,  Big Sky Community Organization, earmarked for mountain biking trails.   The Biggie also donated $500 to Big Sky Search and Rescue for their services and support the day of the event.   And, another $500 was donated to the Lone Peak Composite Team, our local NICA team, whose athletes and families donated hundreds of hours to the preparation for this event.

The inaugural Big Sky Biggie took place Aug 25, 2018, with a 7am start in Town Center. This event featured a 30 and 50 mile course linking together the best singletrack in the area, including trails on private land that were used by special permission for the race. Over 200 riders participated, a tremendous showing for the first year.

The Biggie was conceived as a fundraising non-profit event to benefit the Big Sky Community Organization, and was able to present a gift of $10,000 to the BSCO Board in September. The gift is designated for projects which promote access and improved connectivity to the trail network surrounding Big Sky.

Pictured below, from Left to Right:  Grace Young (Treasurer), Natalie Osborne (Race Director), Phil Hess (Safety Director), presenting the first donation check to BSCO.