Jared Nash's Staging Area

I liked the swag bag: one of those red, mesh bags that potatoes come in! What better way to say welcome to Idaho than being given a swag bag that says Idaho Potatoes!

I call it a hybrid because it was partly trail/partly paved. If you like trails, then you’ll love the beginning of the race. The first few miles are winding trail and downhill, so you feel like a deer flying through the woods. It spits you out about mile 4 or so (I can’t really remember exact numbers) onto pavement. From there you’ll start a humbling 3 mile uphill stretch on pavement. This section is about miles 5-8, and miles 17-20 of the full marathon.

The last several miles are out in the open on paved roads through farm fields. There are a couple minor hills but it’s relatively flat and straight to the finish line. I can’t say I enjoyed this part of the race much but I loved that I could see the Teton Mountains in the distance.

Post-race, it was a comfortable, nice atmosphere. Lots of fresh fruit, drinks, hot pizza, etc for finishers. I especially loved the ticket for a free Huckleberry milkshake at the local restaurant, and the free post-race massages.

I don’t know how many runners participated total, but the half marathon was about 200 I think. I wouldn’t say it’s a very competitive race since I took 5th overall, and first in my age group (M25-29) with a time of about 1:40. That’s not a slow time, but I think you know what I mean.

I just moved to the area from North Carolina where it was excessively hot and humid but at sea level. Race day was cool, about 40 degrees at start. The route probably averages around 5500′, but since it averaged downhill it wasn’t noticeable. I think it starts at about 5800 and finished at 5300.

I will definitely be returning next year. Possibly for the full marathon instead!