The Idaho Falls Marathon Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, has been an annual event for the past 20 years, and is now under new ownership. This year, local race director and retired Marine veteran, Chris Carney has taken the reins and will be making some exciting changes with a …
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The Idaho Falls Marathon Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, has been an annual event for the past 20 years, and is now under new ownership. This year, local race director and retired Marine veteran, Chris Carney has taken the reins and will be making some exciting changes with a new local race staff of experienced runners.
The Idaho Falls Marathon will continue to grow and provide a lasting experience for runners, with a flat and fast course, a post-race party, and a emphasis on community engagement. We look forward to seeing you at the starting line!
The start and finish for all three races is at Snake River Landing, so no need to sit on a bus to drop you off at the start. The marathon course runs the first half out west and back through beautiful south east Idaho farm country. Then returns to the start point to continue clockwise around the Snake River Greenbelt for the remaining half and finishes where you started.
The 1/2 marathon starts at Snake river Landing and travels clockwise around Snake River Greenbelt with the second half of the full marathon course.
The 5k course starts and finishes in Snake River Landing on the West Side of Idaho Falls.
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Nice Small Town Race
The weather was great with temps in the 50's at race start, mostly cloudy, and low humidity. The course had a few rolling hills but mostly flat along, and a … MORE
The weather was great with temps in the 50’s at race start, mostly cloudy, and low humidity. The course had a few rolling hills but mostly flat along, and a combination of roads [that go past the Falls] and paved trails, along the Snake River. Small field with less than 300 runners for the Half, and less than 100 for the Full. Not much crowd support and a small number of volunteers along the course and at the hydration stops. There were a few spots on the course where it was not clear on which direction to go, and luckliy I guessed correctly. The shirt is nice but the medal was small, and the same medal for both the Half and the Full. Age catagory winners were too broad as I ended up in the 50 – 99 year division, where I finshed 16 of 24 but would have placed had it been most other races. Overall, a nice small town event, a nice course, but low production.
Perfect weather at start, traffic beware
Fun 5k, short walk from hotel, cars not diverted, auto turned right into the start of the 5k after we just went few hundred yards. Later I saw marathoners negotiating … MORE
Fun 5k, short walk from hotel, cars not diverted, auto turned right into the start of the 5k after we just went few hundred yards. Later I saw marathoners negotiating traffic at a busy intersection waiting on the traffic light. I would recruit a bike club to get 2 dozen volunteers to help keep an eye on the spread out marathoners (there were <100] just in case they need emergency help. In a larger marathons fellow runners can summon help, here there can be sizeable gap between them. I would recruit bicycle medics that could be positioned very mile or so the last half of the race so bike volunteers or others can summon help and an AED is only a minute or two away hopefully. I enjoyed my run, at most I would do the HM there.
Good race w/ new director
The rating for this race is far too low. The new race director has obviously made this a much better race. Smooth production, pretty course, flat and easy, would recommend … MORE
The rating for this race is far too low. The new race director has obviously made this a much better race. Smooth production, pretty course, flat and easy, would recommend if you are looking to cross Idaho off your list.
Improved substantially with new dorector
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 … MORE
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!
Rained a lot but was a good race.
Most the day was windy and rainy but the run was nice. The rolling hills were pretty but work. The rest of the course was flat which was nice. MORE
Most the day was windy and rainy but the run was nice. The rolling hills were pretty but work. The rest of the course was flat which was nice.
Perfect weather, poor course
Packet pick up the night before was simple. Last minute changes to the course, including a very busy intersection was pretty crappy. Marathon started almost ten minutes late. Race course … MORE
Packet pick up the night before was simple.
Last minute changes to the course, including a very busy intersection was pretty crappy.
Marathon started almost ten minutes late. Race course was not marked well. Thanks to a neighbor who came out and pointed me in the right direction, that could have been a disaster.
Overall, this could have been a good, fast course for some minus the frustrations of last minute and unmarked course.
Organizers showed minimal effort
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 … MORE
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.
Good cause, but underwhelming
My husband and I were on vacation and had found this race online and planned on doing it on the way home. Pros: supports a great cause, fun downhill to … MORE
My husband and I were on vacation and had found this race online and planned on doing it on the way home. Pros: supports a great cause, fun downhill to begin the race. Cons: poorly managed. There was confusion as to where the actual starting line was. The course was changed at the last minute because they realized it was too short. Roads were not closed. It was bizarre and dangerous running with traffic, at times no sidewalks. Plastic medals at the end. A few pretty stretches, but mostly MEH.
Beautiful course
We were bussed out into the mountains and started at over 5, 000 feet. We ran back into town along their beautiful river walk. This is a beautiful walkable town. MORE
We were bussed out into the mountains and started at over 5, 000 feet. We ran back into town along their beautiful river walk. This is a beautiful walkable town.
Well run event
I highly recommend this race if you're looking for an event in Idaho. They have a Full, Half, 5k and Kid's Fun Run. I reached out to ask a question … MORE
I highly recommend this race if you’re looking for an event in Idaho. They have a Full, Half, 5k and Kid’s Fun Run.
I reached out to ask a question and received a response quickly. I also felt my plane may be delayed causing me to miss packet pick up. They answered again right away and told me I could pick up race morning if I were delayed. (They did not have a race morning pick up.)
For both the Full and Half they bus you to the start and you run to the finish. There was plenty of parking at the finish and plenty of buses. The mountain start was beautiful at sunrise. The course is challenging if you are not acclimated to the altitude and/or running down mountains. The Half consists of a roughly 5 mile steep decline start. Be prepared! I felt like I trained but apparently not enough. I was being cautious on the steep downhill but I paid for that decline around mile 9. Massage Envy was out there to help relieve some of that pain you may have picked up along the course.
Plenty of aid stations. Race swag was great & definitely runner friendly. Tech shirt was a decent quality (I haven’t run in it yet so I can’t report on wicking ability or if it will be one I wear a lot.) They also gave a sling bag and a Nathan’s handheld water bottle.
Post race pancake breakfast and Rita’s Ice (plus lots of other food; fruit, cakes, cookies) was the BEST! Oh and the registration was extremely reasonable.
Nice small marathon
-It was 93 degrees the day I ran here, so it can get hot -Had a nice long uphill, not steep, but long -Well stacked aid stations at appropriate intervals … MORE
-It was 93 degrees the day I ran here, so it can get hot
-Had a nice long uphill, not steep, but long
-Well stacked aid stations at appropriate intervals
-Overall, an average run, if you need to cross Idaho off of the list and it fits the schedule, this race is as good as any
It's not as easy as it looks...
We bundled the Idaho Falls M.A.D. Half Marathon into a summer vacation that included Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and Salt Lake City. For anyone vacationing in the area, if you … MORE
We bundled the Idaho Falls M.A.D. Half Marathon into a summer vacation that included Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and Salt Lake City. For anyone vacationing in the area, if you fly into Salt Lake City, Idaho Falls is a perfect stopover on the way to the Parks. With that being said, know this. The Idaho Falls M.A.D. Half Marathon course drops 1400 feet in elevation during the first five miles. As a result, the first five miles of the race were both scenic and easy to run. Once runners were out of the foothills, they were running through flat, suburban Idaho Falls. Mentally, this was hard. After five miles of descent, flat road felt like an uphill for the next 8 miles. Additionally, running through the suburbs for the next 8 miles wasn’t quite as picturesque as running the foothills. If you run this race, be aware of the effect it will have on you mentally and physically. Though our brains recovered once we crossed the finish line, we had to revise some of our vacation itinerary simply because our legs were not capable of walking us downhill or down stairs (or even up and down curbs for that matter) for two days following this race.
Something else to consider about the Idaho Falls M.A.D Half Marathon: Because this course is point to point, you will be boarding a shuttle that takes you to the top of one of the Idaho foothills. At the top of that foothill, for the 2015 race, there were only four port-o-lets. Though the race consisted of a modest 300 runners, 300 runners sharing four portable toilets made for some long lines. Our recommendation: if you know you will need to use one of the aforementioned port-o-lets, arrive at the shuttle stop early so you can board the first bus and be first in line to use the restroom.
With all that being said, if we could do this race all over again…we would; we would just come into the event better prepared. We’d make an effort to do more hill training and arrive early at the shuttle, ensuring we could enjoy the excellent post-race party at the Idaho Falls M.A.D Half Marathon.
For even more detailed information about this event, visit https://www.serialrunner.com/half-marathon-race-recaps/idaho-falls-mad-half-marathon. There you will find recommendations for accommodations, places to eat, information about packet pickup and the post-race party, and pictures of it all.
Be prepared for a downhill challenge!
For more details about race shirts, finisher medals, post-race party, accommodations, places to eat, and photos of it all visit https://www.serialrunner.com/half-marathon-race-recaps. MORE
For more details about race shirts, finisher medals, post-race party, accommodations, places to eat, and photos of it all visit https://www.serialrunner.com/half-marathon-race-recaps.
Point-to-point, steep downhill
This race starts by a wind farm up above the sleepy town of Idaho Falls. From there the first five miles are a pretty steep descent. If you're not trained … MORE
This race starts by a wind farm up above the sleepy town of Idaho Falls. From there the first five miles are a pretty steep descent. If you’re not trained for downhills, this is the kind that can really stomp your quads. The views during this portion are fine, but once you get into town, you’re running through strip malls and forgettable terrain before finishing in a nice community park. The medal was forgettable but they did have Jimmy John’s at the finish.