Idaho Falls Marathon Reviews

  Enjoyable local race

By Michelle about 2024

Review

The race Directors asked for feedback after the race last year and implemented several improvements in their 2nd year organizing this event. I'm excited to run again next year!

Race Tips

Check out the course map because there are a few options to get lost. The signage was much better this year icer last year, so this tip may not be relevant for 2025.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Parking is easy and the race is close to down town with lots of great restaurants to eat from. The course goes past the Farmers Market and I visited it after the race and it was excellent 👌

  Great course and love the new race coordinators

By JR about 2024

Review

Ran this for a few years now, enjoy the course. Loved having pacers this year. Shirts really need some work though, too busy and the colors are awful.

  Idaho Falls Marathon

By JS about 2024

Review

I have ran both the 5K and Half-Marathon. I enjoy running in my home town too! What is awesome is the race directors that have recently took over have a passion for running and it shows! What makes it better is there is no buses required and no worring about bag drop off for personal belongings. The start and finish are in the same location and the parking is very close. Only thing that is out of their control is the intersection on Broadway St since there is no underpass. Maybe one day, there will be enough racers to have the city divert traffic around that intersection. I didn't have to wait very long when I ran the half-marathon last year. Hopefully they add a 10K race in the future so that there are four races to choose from. Thanks to all the vendors and volunteers for all they do. Great food and finisher medals. Shirts are very cool and overall a great race! Thank you!

Race Tips

Stay hydrated and fuel up! Get plenty of rest too. Enjoy the river view and surroundings.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Parking is right by the start/finish area or across the street. There is plenty of parking places. There are several hotels within walking distance of the start/finish race location. Arrive 45-60 minutes early and you will be fine.

  Great course and love the new race coordinators

By JR about 2024

Review

Ran this for a few years now, enjoy the course. Loved having pacers this year. Shirts really need some work though, too busy and the colors are awful.

  The Marathon to run in Idaho!

By Todd W about 2024

Review

Visible, active director. Great vibes. Continual refresh stations manned by superb families and individuals. Fun sponsors. Friendly runners who encouraged and shared goodies. Country views. Charming farm houses and equipment. Halfway cowbell ring. River beauty. Stunning falls. Farmer's market. One family dished out Otter Pops. Attractive shirts and medals.

Race Tips

Pacers. Water & refreshment at Broadway intersections to cheer you at the cross section if you wait.

  Improved substantially under new race director

By Taylor W about 2024

Review

The new race director has really turned this race around. Very fun environment and a great course. Loved the early start time to avoid the heat and no bus ride was fantastic. I came in from out of town and our hotel was a quarter mile from the start and finish line. All in all it was a fantastic race and experience!

  Great experience

By MN about 2024

Review

Race went very smoothly. Aid stations were well placed and the volunteers were great. Course started and finished at same place which made logistics super easy. Highly recommended.

  Crazy Storm But Fast Course

By Karl N. about 2021

Review

From the start of the race there was high winds and rains that kept going the entire time.

Even though the weather was bad, it was a great course.

Thank you to all the volunteers at the aid station standing in the cold rain.

Some course signs got blown away or destroyed from the wind and rain but were fixed when I got to them.

I could see this being a great marathon when the weather is not thunder storming.

Race Tips

Rolling hills to start then the last half was flat which was nice.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Lots of hotels in the area but expensive so book in advance or find airbnb.

  Absolute Minimal Effort by Organizers

By Charles Kobold about 2021

Review

I have waited a day to write this review to make sure I am writing with a clear head. I would not recommend this race under any circumstances. The course is fine and the area is lovely (The Rocky Mountains in the summer are amazing) but the organizers could care less.

1. At packet pickup they don't give you a drop bag with assorted stuff inside. This is the first marathon that I have not received a drop bag.

2. The busses were late, dropped us off late, we started late and we had to run to the start line to keep from missing the start time. There was also no clock at the start line so I have no idea what time we started.

3. The first 14 miles or so were highway running and there were absolutely no signs or warnings for the commuters to watch out for runners.

4. The course was very poorly marked, with absolutely no mile markers of any type for the whole race and when it got into the urban areas it was very hard to stay on course. Major intersections had no one pointing you in the right direction (with the exception of one). So if you were running by yourself (as I was) watch out! I actually went off course for a short time but discovered my mistake and was able to get back on course.

5. There were no water stations the first three miles (not the end of the world) and then one every 2nd mile (acceptable given the weather conditions). However the last station was at mile 23, leaving the last 3.2 miles (always the hardest) with no pit stop. It sure would have been nice to have one last pit stop at 25.

6. At the finish line there was no clock and since we started late I have no idea what time I finished at. Totally inexcusable.

7. There was no water, no Gatorade or any type of fluid available at the finish line either. I also don't think they had any paramedics available if needed. All they had at the end were some old bananas that were cut in half (a subtle hint to take only half) and thus were already spoiling and a couple coolers full of cheap, freeze pop style popsicles (cold sugar water with food coloring added) that are good for very young children in the summer.

Now one or two of these issues do not make or break a marathon. But all of these put together into a single marathon are indicative of organizers that have very little interest in making sure you have a fun and memorable time. It was quite obvious the organizers of this event were concentrated on making as big a profit as possible. I do not have a problem with a marathon making money and people being paid for their time and efforts. But when you put basically no effort into making a marathon fun or providing standard services then yes I have a problem.

To finalize I would highly recommend that you avoid this marathon. If you are a 50 Stater, pick Boise as your Idaho run (a great run). If you want to do some marathons in the Rockies during the summer (highly recommended) then pick one of the other ones (or multiples) close by. Missoula, MT offers a great one. Casper, WY and Billings, MT also offer great marathons. I could go on and on.

Race Tips

Find a different marathon close by.