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☰
Famous Idaho Potato Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Famous Idaho Potato Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 3.7 
Spectators 2.5
Number of comments: 54 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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A. S. from Oakville, Canada
(5/20/2013)
 "Very nice race, could be great." (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Famous Idaho Potato Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The race course is flat and fast, along the Boise River, mostly on paved trails. Water/electrolyte stations were fine. Suggested improvements: split the start of the Half and the Full to ease congestion; showcase the city (Capitol, etc.) by bringing the route through points of interest - don't need to give up much of the trail to do this; build a higher profile to bring in out of town runners - more sponsors, branded merchandise at the expo, improve communications to non-locals (what are the twin towers!?!), better food at the finish and PLEASE - upgrade the medal! Otherwise - great Specatators, though very few, and a lovely city with friendly people and some very tasty dining options! | |
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M. N. from San Francisco, CA
(5/19/2013)
"if you want a quiet marathon in a scenic urban are" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This was a good small race. Even though it is catered for the Half marathoners, I actually liked the full course. It is exclusively through a urban green belt, mostly along the Boise river. This year (2013) there were about 240 marathoners. The course is flat. The spectators were very cheerful. The flowing river next to the course was a source of constant inspiration. I was able to pick up my bib at the start point given it was a Saturday race. I flew in from the Bay area, so not that many flights in/out from the Boise airport. | |
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M. W. from Kuna, ID
(5/19/2013)
 "Outstanding Half Marathon" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Famous Idaho Potato Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is a great course for a half marathon - scenic, fast and typically great weather. It's a fun event that I recommend regularly to friends and family who run. It's also a race that fits well if you're trying your first 1/2 marathon. There aren't a ton of fans, so don't count on walls of people cheering you on, but there are pockets of enthusiastic supporters that become more frequent after the initial few miles. There's a respectable crowd for an event this size around the finishing area to provide a boost as one heads down the stretch The race organizers did a nice job with one glaring exceptionport-a-potties ya'll! I counted maybe 20 at the starting area vs. an announced enrollment of 3100 runners. Not nearly sufficient. It delayed the start of the race (not good when runners strategically shed outer layers of clothing and warm up to coincide with the start time) and prevented a good many people from using the facilities at all. There also weren't many opportunities for pit stops at any point later in the race, which kept me from being tempted to stop and helped me PR, but the lack of port-a-lets was a clear inconvenience. Water stations were plentiful and well-stocked with drinks and Power-Ade products. The volunteers manning these were outstandingthank you! There's a plentiful variety of post-race appropriate snacks and drinks at the finish and the medal and dry-fit shirts are both nice. Fix the bathroom situation, and they'll have a near-perfect event. I plan to be back for as long as my legs and body hold up. | |
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D. D. from Gaithersburg, MD
(5/22/2012)
"Great SMALL Race" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Famous Idaho Potato Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 This was a fast course and very pretty with the Boise River running along you the whole time. Flooding caused a last second change in part of the course but it wasn't bad. Course aid was ok and there was more gu/gel options here then any other race I've ever been to. Race organizers need to give better directions for out of towners. Packet pickup was hard to find and there was only water and chocolate milk at the finish. Sport drink would have been nice. Also I get that it's Idaho but just having baked potatoes at the finish line is not enough. Also the return shuttle to the race hotel never showed! | |
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M. W. from Kuna, ID
(5/20/2012)
"Excellent Half Marathon" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Famous Idaho Potato Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This race is as advertised: a smooth, scenic and enjoyable half marathon course. From talking with other participants, a lot of people PR this one. They aren't kidding about the cold start. Though it was pleasant enough on the valley floor, Lucky Peak in the a.m. is a wind tunnel. Next time, I'll bring my warm clothes, which they make it easy to have transported to the finishing area. The course is fast and essentially a gradual downhill from start to finish, though it flattens out somewhat once you hit the greenbelt. It's a bit crowded on the trail, particularly in the first 1/4 of the race before people fan out, but not uncomfortably so. It wasn't terribly different than larger races run on larger streets. Not a ton of spectators, but the ones that came out were fun and appreciated. Plenty of water stops, well-equipped with volunteers, sports drinks, power bars, etc. End of race party was fun and well-stocked with plentiful food and drink options. Nice medal and dry-fit shirt. This was my 5th and favorite half marathon. I'll be back next year. | |
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J. D. from Star, ID
(11/8/2011)
"Overall - loved it!" (about: 2011)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Famous Idaho Potato Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I enjoyed this fast course. The start was cold, everyone looking for a place to huddle up. Aid stations were placed regularly. Post race food was great if you finished quickly, but I heard they ran out for those toward the end. | |
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C. B. from Boise, Idaho
(5/17/2011)
"Beautiful Course" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Famous Idaho Potato Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Not a ton of spectators but the ones who are there are supportive and enthusiastic. I would prefer the race to start earlier so the temperatures aren't climbing in the 80's. Also, they used a timing mechanism that started at the gun rather than the start line; as I started nearly at the end of the pack and it took time to get moving so I was unhappy with this feature. | |
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A. K. from Meridian, Idaho
(6/14/2010)
"Getting bigger means you need split starting times" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Famous Idaho Potato Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my first time running the full marathon and I noticed that the field had grown substantially since I ran the half-marathon 3 years ago. Due to the growth, they need to have different starting times for the full and the half. Since everyone funnels onto a path that accommodates 4 abreast, with virtually no room to pass, they need to have at least 30 minutes between starts so that you can hit your pace within the first mile. I saw several people fall due to the congestion, and a lot of this would be eliminated with a split start. Otherwise, the race was well run, and there was plenty of food to refuel at the end. | |
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J. B. from Utah
(5/18/2010)
"Beautiful run, but it starts too late in the day" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was my first marathon, and I really liked the course. However, I didn't like the time it started at because halfway through the temps got into the 80's. In addition, the half starts with the full, so by the time you finish the full, there are no spectators cheering you on. And being my first full, I was a little slow. The guy at the finish line was rude, and asked if I was the last one. I already knew I did badly but I was not the last one, and it just ruined the race (I already knew I didn't do well but I just wanted to finish for the first time). | |
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R. B. from Boise, ID
(5/18/2010)
"Very well organized" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have attended many YMCA races and I think this was by far the most organized event. The transportation to the race start was fantastic. My only negative comment would be regarding medical support. While the race has grown, the medical support has not, and this led to issues in response time. One individual in my group became severely dehydrated and was told that they did not have enough time to respond to his medical needs. |
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