Huffing for Stuffing

Marks 19th Year with Special Tribute to Cofounder John Dudas

NOVEMBER 27, 2025

This Thanksgiving the Bozeman community will lace up once again for the 19th Annual Huffing for Stuffing race, a beloved holiday tradition to fight hunger in the Gallatin Valley. This year’s race will honor the life and legacy of race cofounder John Dudas, who passed away in May 2025.

Huffing for Stuffing began with a simple Thanksgiving morning run in 2004. Inspired by the classic east coast tradition of Thanksgiving Day road races, John Dudas and cofounder Tim Dumas went for a jog along Bozeman’s Linear and Sourdough trails. Over the next two years, that run became their own annual ritual—until one crisp November morning when the two decided to bring the idea to the community.

“How cool would it be to have a Thanksgiving Day run in Bozeman?” They wondered. John took that thought and turned it into action. He rallied support from the Big Sky Wind Drinkers running club, and in 2007 the first Huffing for Stuffing race welcomed 931 participants, raising $8,000 for the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.

The race name itself was born from a nationwide message board survey, where “Huffing and Puffing for Stuffing,” submitted by a runner in Georgia, stood out from more than 100 suggestions. Since then, the event has grown into one of Bozeman’s most cherished traditions, with more than 3,200 participants in 2024 and more than $723,000 in net proceeds raised to fight food insecurity in the Gallatin Valley.

Huffing for Stuffing has had many homes, starting at Bozeman Health and then moving in 2008 to the Museum of the Rockies, where it continues to thrive. The race has welcomed more than 4,000 participants five times, with a record of 4,513 runners in 2016. But the heart of its mission has never changed: neighbors coming together to give back.

“John’s vision and dedication helped create a tradition that means so much to this community,” said Jill Holder, Food and Nutrition Director at HRDC. “His passion for running, community and service ensured that families across Gallatin Valley have access to the food they need, especially during the holidays.”

In 2025, participants will run and walk in honor of John and his family, who spent 18 Thanksgivings giving their holiday to others. Their generosity helped build a community event that’s about more than just miles—it’s about making sure no one goes to bed hungry.

Registration for the 2025 Huffing for Stuffing is now open at https://runsignup. com/Race/MT/Bozeman/HuffingforStuffing. Whether running, walking or cheering from the sidelines, community members are invited to celebrate this special tradition and honor John’s legacy.

For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to volunteer contact Emma Hamburg (ehamburg@thehrdc.org).