MarlandFest

Adventure. Community. Purpose.

MarlandFest is a three-day community celebration of the outdoors held in honor of Marland Whaley—an avid mountain biker, adventurer, and friend whose passion for the trails inspired everyone around him. More than just a race, MarlandFest brings people together to celebrate the spirit of adventure while supporting a meaningful cause.

Hosted at The Property in Victor, Montana, the festival features a weekend of adventure for all ages, including a mountain bike race, a trail run to Fred Burr Reservoir, kids' races, family-friendly activities, local vendors, food, and a live screening of the Red Bull Rampage, mountain biking's most iconic freeride event. Attendees will also have the opportunity to camp under the stars, making it a true Montana outdoor experience and a weekend to remember.

Proceeds from MarlandFest benefit The Marland Whaley Foundation, whose mission is to provide mountain bikes and outdoor recreation opportunities to veterans, helping them experience the healing power of the outdoors, build community, and discover new adventures.

Whether you're racing, cheering from the sidelines, spending the weekend camping with friends and family, or gathering to watch Rampage under the Montana sky, MarlandFest is about more than competition. It's about honoring a legacy, giving back, and celebrating the outdoor community that brings us all together.

Official event dates are pending Red Bull's announcement of the 2026 Red Bull Rampage schedule. As soon as the dates are released, we'll announce the MarlandFest weekend and open registration.

Join us this fall and help keep Marland's spirit of adventure alive—one ride, one mile, and one veteran at a time.

Event Details:

Location: 914 Fred Burr Victor MT 59875

  • Bring your own drinking water.

  • Portable restrooms (porta-potties) will be available.

  • There is no public electricity or running water on site.

  • Primitive camping is included with select event registrations.

  • Food vendors will be available throughout the weekend, but you're also welcome to bring your own food and beverages.

  • All vehicles must be parked in the designated public parking area. This is not car camping, so be prepared to make a few trips between your vehicle and your campsite when setting up.

  • Please pack out what you pack in and help us keep The Property beautiful for everyone.

  • Campfires are not permitted unless otherwise announced due to fire restrictions.

  • Please respect fellow campers, quiet hours, and the natural surroundings so everyone can enjoy a great weekend.

    Race Details

    Both races begin at The Property and follow the designated Strava route to Fred Burr Reservoir.

    • Saturday: Strava Bike Race

    • Sunday: Strava Trail Run

    A clearly marked Start and Finish line will be located on The Property.

    This is a self-paced Strava race, so there are no scheduled start times. Participants are welcome to complete their race any time during their designated event day. Simply begin your activity at the official Start Line, complete the designated Strava route, finish at the marked Finish Line on The Property, and upload your activity to Strava. Final results and awards will be announced following each day's competition.

Purchase Event Tickets

Follow this link or click the photo to purchase tickets: https://www.thepropertymt.com/store-OmRZM

Event Founders

Dawn Whaley: Director

My name is Dawn Whaley. I have lived in the Bitterroot Valley since I was 6 years old.
I grew up in Victor with my parents Glenn and Linda and my sister Robin.
I met my prince charming, Marland Whaley in 1999. We dated for almost a year and
were married April 8, 2000. We had so many wonderful adventures: hiking, back packing, rock
climbing, hunting, snowboarding, cross country skiing and our favorite sport, mountain
biking.
Marland and I were married until his death from a heart attack June 27, 2019. He was
the best friend that I have ever known. Since his death I have struggled to find purpose, and
struggled from physical and mental issues due to not only mold in a previous residence, but
also profound grief.
With the help of the Lord, my family and dear friends I now know my purpose. It is to love my
family and friends, be the best dog mom that I can be, and to love and help people.

Sykes Family: Co Founders

Arthur is a Marine Corps veteran, national champion mountain biker, coach, and welder whose passion is helping others discover confidence through adventure. Katie served in the Montana Army National Guard and is passionate about creating opportunities for families, veterans, and youth to connect through the outdoors.

Together they founded The Property, an outdoor recreation venue dedicated to building community through youth camps, mountain biking, veteran events, and family-friendly adventures. Sykes family believes that nature has a unique way of bringing people together and creating lifelong memories that can change the world, hence why they started The Property.They're excited to host MarlandFest and hope to inspire others to get outside, try something new, and celebrate the community that makes the Bitterroot Valley such a special place.

About Marland Whaley:

Marland Whaley (July 3, 1958 – June 27, 2019) was a legendary cyclist, master craftsman, devoted husband and father, and a mentor whose impact continues to be felt throughout the mountain biking community.

Growing up in Santee, California, Marland developed a lifelong passion for anything on two wheels. Whether on a motorcycle or a mountain bike, he approached every challenge with remarkable skill, determination, and humility. As a motorcycle trials competitor, he became a five-time National Champion, earning victories across the United States and Europe before retiring from competition.

In 1992, Marland made Montana his home, where he built not only a life but a lasting community. He was known for his ability to form genuine friendships that endured for decades, a reflection of his generous spirit and unwavering loyalty.

Beyond racing, Marland was a master carpenter and craftsman who believed in doing things the right way. His attention to detail, patience, and commitment to excellence carried over into every aspect of his life, including his greatest passion—helping others discover the joy of riding. Whether coaching new riders, encouraging racers, or sharing his knowledge on the trail, Marland found fulfillment in seeing others succeed.

Marland was the proud father of two daughters, Kendra and Kiah, and later married Dawn Olbert, with whom he shared countless adventures and a deep love for the outdoors.

Marland passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on June 27, 2019. While his passing left an immeasurable void, his legacy lives on through the people he inspired, the riders he mentored, and the community he helped build.

MarlandFest was created in his honor to celebrate his adventurous spirit, his love of cycling, and his belief that the outdoors have the power to bring people together. Through this event, his passion continues to inspire new generations of riders while supporting causes that reflect the values he lived every day.

One Last Ride.

This photo was taken at Skalkaho Falls during Dawn and Marland's final ride together before Marland passed away. They had no idea it would become one of their last adventures, but it perfectly captures what he loved most—being on two wheels, surrounded by the mountains, and sharing the ride with the people he loved. Every mile we ride, every trail we run, and every story we share helps keep Marland's legacy alive!