Campaign: new trailer
We need a cargo trailer for storing and transporting our race equipment. Sponsor our trailer today!
After bringing 105 runners to Butte for our inaugural Copper Kings 100, we learned an important lesson: ultramarathon logistics require serious infrastructure. Right now, we're shuttling tents, generators, medical supplies, and aid station gear for our eight remote locations rented trailers with some things in a storage unit. It works, but it's not sustainable—and it limits our ability to grow.
We're raising funds to acquire a 20-foot enclosed cargo trailer that will transform how we operate. This trailer will store and transport everything we need for race day, streamline setup and breakdown across Montana's backcountry, and expand our capacity to serve more runners safely. Between events, it becomes a mobile billboard for the Copper Kings 100 and our nonprofit partners, showcasing Montana endurance sports wherever it travels.
Visual mockup of our future trailer for transporting Copper Kings 100 equipment.
How you can help
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all donations to the Montana Endurance Trail Foundation are tax-deductible. We've created sponsorship opportunities that provide lasting visibility for your brand:
| Tier | Contribution | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum Sponsor | $5,000+ | Large logo placement on both trailer sides, recognition on event signage and race materials, featured in race communications |
| Gold Sponsor | $2,500+ | Logo placement at top of rear panel/door, recognition on event signage, mentioned in race communications |
| Silver Sponsor | $1,000+ | Logo placement on lower rear panel/door, recognition on website, included in donor acknowledgments |
| Community Supporter | $250+ | Name listed on permanent donor recognition program |
Your brand will be seen by hundreds of athletes, volunteers, and spectators throughout the race season—and remembered as part of building something lasting in Butte.
Our goal is to secure this trailer by spring 2026, ensuring we're ready for our next race. Whether you're interested in a sponsorship tier or have questions about donating, please email wes@mtetf.org.
You can also donate directly through this page.
Let's build the backbone of Montana endurance sports together.
New for Montana
The Montana Endurance Trail Foundation will help us create a legacy of endurance running in and around Butte Montana
photo credit Scott Rokis
Endurance running is about more than personal achievement. It's about bringing people together around something simple and profound: putting one foot in front of the other for a really long time. And when you do that in Montana's mountains, something remarkable happens—communities strengthen, trails get protected, and the people who built this place get honored.
That's why we created the Montana Endurance Trail Foundation. Our inaugural Copper Kings 100 in June 2025 brought 105 runners from across the country to Butte, filling hotels, supporting local restaurants, and showcasing what makes this place special. But we wanted to do more than host an event. We wanted to give back to the trails we use by partnering with the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, support Butte landmarks like Our Lady of the Rockies, and help organizations like the Mile High Nordic Ski Education Foundation expand access to the outdoors.
For me, this is deeply personal. Both my parents were born and raised in Butte. My dad’s dad worked in the mines, and my mom’s dad served as county commissioner, working tirelessly to improve and beautify this community. The Copper Kings 100 began as a route I designed to honor that connection—a way to run through my family's history. It evolved into something bigger: a permitted race that now draws hundreds of visitors to Butte each year, supporting the community my family helped build.
Support our Mission
Montana Endurance Trail Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization (EIN: 39-4225437). All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Whether you're a runner who's found meaning in endurance sports, a Butte local who wants to support your community, or a business looking to invest in Montana's outdoor recreation economy, your contribution helps us build something that lasts. Visit our donation page or email hello@mtetf.org to learn more about supporting our work.
-Wes Plate
Founder and Executive Director