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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 31 to 41]
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J. M. from Huntsville, AL
(5/23/2006)
 "Good race, but could use improvements" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Famous Idaho Potato Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 It was very hot, but not too bad. My mom and I stayed together the whole way, which was a good thing because we rarely saw other runners once the half and whole marathons split. The course could have used better markings although I suppose they were good enough since we never got lost. I also think water stops should have occured more frequently due to the dry heat. Also, and this was the worst to me, they ran out of finishers medals!!! How horrible to finish a race and receive no medal! They have promised to mail them, but I have nothing to show my friends and co-workers who have been cheering me on back home - and that is one of my favorite parts. Idaho is beautiful and I loved the scenery along the route. Breathtaking! | |
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A. T. from San Francisco, CA
(5/21/2006)
 "After 27 years, it should be much better" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Famous Idaho Potato Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 Weather was hot and sunny. The course was flat and mostly on bike paths. In all of my 71 marathons, this was the most poorly marked course. Here are my observations: Positives: 1. Nice course 2. Friendly volunteers and fellow runners Negatives: 1. Poorly marked course. Mile markers 2, 9, 10, and ? were missing. Mile markers 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 - there were two marks for each mile point. Most were of equal size and appear to be quite recent. Mile marker 7 was 0.2 mile too long while mile marker 8 was 0.2 mile too short. 2. Water stations were not evenly spaced. At mile marker 18, there were two water stations within 0.25 mile. The next water station was at around 21.5 miles. 3. Lots of turns and twists. I saw runners taking the wrong turn. Most of these turns did not have any volunteers directing the runners. Suggestions: 1. On each mile point, put a can of soup. Then, a potato on top of the can. Next, stick a flag on top of the potato with the mile mark. After the race, donate the cans and potatoes to a local soup kitchen or charity. Simple, cheap, and visible. 2. Need more volunteers for course direction. After 27 years, this race (the 28th edition) needs to take care of the basics. Runners need reliable, accurate, and visible mile markers to gauge their pace. No one likes to take the wrong turn and either run a shorter or longer distance. Water stations need to be more consistently spaced. I cannot recommend this race because of these poor logistics. | |
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J. G. from Boise, Idaho
(5/17/2005)
"Beautiful day but lonely race. " (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Famous Idaho Potato Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my second marathon and the weather was perfect; however, I would have been really sad if it had not been for my friends out there cheering me on. The course was deserted and it often felt like I was out there alone. This race could use a lot more spectator support and a ton more runners. The volunteers were very nice and there were plenty of aid stations (although one was abandoned). Overall the race was nice but lonely. Course was well-marked this year, in my opinion... complex but well-marked. | |
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C. M. from Montana
(5/14/2005)
 "Good for a first-timer" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Nice run along river. Gel packs were nice to have at each aid station. More bathroomes are needed. There were some at the start and only one more around mile 10. Not many people to cheer you on. | |
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C. S. from Idaho
(6/2/2004)
"Great half marathon" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my first half marathon, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The course was nice, right along the Boise River most of the way, and the weather was perfect, perfect, perfect! The aid stations were pretty well-manned, with water, Gatorade, and Powerbars... Not too many spectators, but the course was nice enough that it didn't matter. I'm not sure about the marathon course though, I didn't run the extra 13.1 miles... | |
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C. W. from Seattle
(5/31/2004)
"Nice scenic race!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Famous Idaho Potato Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I just ran this race two days ago. I was pleasantly surprised as to how scenic the course was. It started in a park along the river and proceeded along a green belt towards the city. It then worked it's way into some of the nicer neighborhoods and along a golf course. The later stages of the race seemed to be a bit confusing as there were lots of twists and turns. The course was well marked, BUT, in my opinion, late in a race there should've been more volunteers at those turns making sure the runners went the right way. When I'm at mile 24-25 of a race I don't want to think about where to turn, I'm just thinking about finishing! I did get lost after the 25-mile mark and ended up running a 28 mile race. The race had plenty of volunteers at the water stops who where not busy and could've easily been standing at the turns directing runners. I would run this race again, but I would make sure I paid close attention to the course. Other than getting lost, I had a great time! The Coolmax shirt was extremely nice, medals were thick and heavy with print on both sides and the post-race food was plentiful with baked potatoes, pizza, fruit, etc. | |
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JOHN JORY from Winnemucca, NV
(5/17/2004)
"Friendly and relaxed" (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Famous Idaho Potato Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 I'll run the Boise Marathon for the 3rd time in 4 years because it is close to home, small, personal and enjoyable. Course organization can be better, but I've never got lost, and the scenery is pleasant and the people are very friendly. It's low-key and the start is pleasant. I've met some great people on and off the course, and ran a delightful 3:59 here in 2001. | |
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R. E. from USA
(12/4/2003)
"Great volunteers, POORLY marked course!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Less than a mile to go and even though I was looking for it, I missed the last arrow turning me into the park for the finish. I went from 3rd place female to disaster very quickly! I ended up lost and desperate for help and directions. The course was very confusing and there were not enough water stations for the temperatures of the day. I may run the half sometime just to see where the heck that arrow I missed was, but I will never run the full in Boise again! | |
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B. W. from Southern California
(11/7/2003)
"Great 1/2 marathon course - but lacks for marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Have run both the 1/2 and full marathon here. The 1/2 is great, beautiful run down along the river, etc. Where the 1/2 leaves the full marathon, the full marathon falls apart. The second half of the course is along busy streets, winds through parking lots, and gets confusing, and lacks in water stations. For those poor folks at the end of the marathon, the place is basicly shut down. The main advantage to this race is the small number of runners. I plan on running this 1/2 again next year in Boise, but never again this marathon. | |
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C. M. from Colorado, USA
(10/10/2003)
"Nice race but they cheated me out of my potatoes!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 I enjoyed the race. It was a nice course except for lack of organization in the final 9 miles. I might have finished 2nd overall (I was 3rd overall in the marathon) but I ran in the wrong direction at one point because there was no arrow to point me in the right direction! (I lost at least a minute or a minute and a half at that point). Then, at the end, I had told the race directors that I had a plane to catch very soon, but I could not take the potatoes that I 'earned' as the 3rd place finisher (3rd male, too) on the plane with me. I tried very diligently through July and early August to have my potatoes sent to me. They gave me their word that they would and I never received them. So, if you plan on running this race, watch out for unexpected places to run late in the race and grab your potatoes when you can, or else you'll miss out!!! |
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