2022 Sasquatch Skedaddle

On that particular Sunday, an incredible community of vibrant and ambitious women came together to pull off the funnest fun run that Bozeman sees all year (are we biased? Yes, absolutely). For those that braved the deep snow and cold temps to run it in Bozeman, the excitement was palpable walking through the doors of MAP that morning to run our 4th Annual Sasquatch Skedaddle. 

While participants stretched, picked up their race packets, and studied the course, Treeline Coffee slung their delicious brew to anyone wanting a pre-race beverage. Taylor Swift blasted from the loudspeakers, and our MSU chapter volunteers greeted everyone with smiling faces. Participants snacked on Kate’s Bars and Zesty beverages from their race swag bags as we geared up for the run. Our scrappy Executive Director, Darby Knoll, loudly directed race participants to the start line, and off they went. Over 200 participants ran the Skedaddle this year, virtually and in person in snowy Bozeman, a record for this event. This year’s skedaddlers included local running enthusiasts, Squatters alums, motivated kiddos, MSU Squatters, supportive community members, out-of-towners looking for a fun activity,  a pile of good dogs, and a Vermont Congresswoman.

Despite the snow, our runners swiftly completed our 1 mile, 5K, and 10K courses, all while staring at the gorgeous Bridger views. We even had some tough parents run the one-mile course while pulling their kiddos on sleds, a thrilling sight for our race-timer, Jim, with Muddy Dog Sports. Our 5 & 10K runners were cheered on by our MSU chapter volunteers at aid stations scattered throughout the course. As a nonprofit that prides itself in fostering the next generation of rad outdoorswomen, we were elated to watch a ten-year-old gal win the 5K race. After the race, runners and their support people retreated into the brewery to enjoy some celebratory free beers and NA beverages, an awards ceremony, and a pretty bitchin afterparty (complete with a Squatters merch table and a sweet online silent auction). While running the race is half the fun, mingling and spending time with this extraordinary community was priceless. 

As a nonprofit with high operating costs, this event is a lifesaver. But as a nationwide community, the importance of this event cannot be understated. As we planned and put on this event, Squatters nonprofit staff, chapter members, and alum members had the opportunity to spend time together and collaborate to give back to this organization that we have all benefited so much from. Throughout the weekend, the magic of Backcountry Squatters was evident everywhere you looked. Volunteers from Backcountry Squatters MSU bonded during race set-up over their favorite ROM-COMs and climbing crags, a Squatters ambassador took some MSU ladies on a field trip to snag some pastries and dole out advice, and two alum members from different chapters sparked a friendship in Bozeman Running Company over their experience with Squatters and post-grad life. A major highlight of the Skedaddle was witnessing our younger Squatters members come into their own by taking on more responsibility, problem-solving, and leading with compassion and discipline. Events like these remind us why we do what we do and why Backcountry Squatters is so important. 

To pull off this event, Squatters has to enlist the help of the entire Bozeman and Squatters community. We cannot express enough how grateful we are to our sponsors and volunteers who have invested much of their time and energy into our organization. We are floored by how many people share in our mission of unleashing college women’s full potential as tomorrow’s leaders through the transformative power of venturing outside together. To everyone that donated auction items, services, event spaces, swag bag goodies, pre-race beverages, time, and cash, we cannot thank you enough. 

We can’t wait to see everyone again next year; The 2022 Sasquatch Skedaddle will be hard to top. 

A big Thank you to our generous donors, we could not have done this without you!: MAP Brewing, Treeline Coffee, Zesty Beverages, Bozeman Running Co, Zephyr Cycling Studio, Hands On Printing, Commonform, Oboz Footwear, Spire Climbing and Fitness, HeyDay, Whitebark Silver, MT Ski Tuning and Boot fitting, Big Sky Mountain Products, The Mountain Project, Evrgreen Clothing, Gabel PT, Hooha, and Sugar Mountain Art. 

Written by Isabelle Selman, West Coast Ambassador

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