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Pocatello Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Pocatello Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.5 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 113 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
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D. F. from U.S.A.
(9/5/2011)
 "A model for all marathons" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Pocatello Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just returned home from the marathon, possibly the finest and most remarkably the best of 40 marthons I have ever ran. Staffers and volunteers at Pocatello ID left no room for improvement. Pros: a. Receiving bag of potatoes at expo b. Personal attention from race director at expo c. Excellent communication throughout from post-registration questions to the finish line. d. Great course markings e. Aid stations nearly every mile loaded with nutrition and hydration f. Highly trained staff / and all volunteers g. Reasonable host hotel rates h. Finish line MEAL !!!!!! whooey, I'm still full. i. Super finishers medal as well as tech shirt at the expo j. Post race showers k. Beautiful scenery l. Wholesome family environemnt j. Rumor that the race director ran the entire marathon a day previous to the race for the purpose of identifying any glitches on race day. Cons: a. None Thank you so much for a great tribute to the running sport throughout the U.S. I traveled 1504 miles each way for this race, and it was worth every mile. I recommend it to first-timers, 50 Staters, and anyone wanting to experience the best marathon staff team in the country. Thanks for all to all for a great experience. B.F. from Southern IL | |
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B. H. from Idaho
(9/5/2011)
 "Course, swag, organizers, GREAT! Start, DISMAL!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 First, great things: Hotels, bus service, swag and show, aid stations, support staff, finish area with plenty of drink, especially chocolate milk, medal: nice and hefty. Pretty good: the tech shirt, though running small. I get an XL for wide shoulders but also a loose fit. My XL was actually small in the arms and tight at the wrist. I suggest keeping the long tech shirt but changing vendors. Dismal: And this huge to me, I was on the second bus arriving to the marathon start and it is PITCH BLACK, it should be ABSOLUTELY OBVIOUS where we are to go especially when you have a few turns to make walking there. At least have the start area well lit so I can at least focus on that spot. I am sure others would have simply followed those before them, but even up to the start it was VERY dark. I saw some assemblence of direction from some wheel chairs being unloaded. A group and I walked toward them and were pointed down a street when we realized we were walking down hill and clearly the wrong way&PAST the turn to the start which was dark and zero indication of turning. At the start area there were a few head lamps of those arranging the timing etc, and the rest of us fumbled in and around the porta-potties and I almost twisted an ankle in the borrow pit which was, pitch black. It did improve as people came, head lamps came, the UPS truck came, etc. This initial time is nerve racking enough before starting to be lost in the dark and wandering. I later discovered ten porta potties up the road no one knew about. So lesson from St George: big lights or enough to be obvious. If it offends neighbors, move the start. Lesson from Boston, a constant loud PA reminding of start time, bag check etc. I will be back but please work on this start. Likely will bring a 5-star rating on the other sites to probably a 3-star. | |
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M. M. from Utah
(9/5/2011)
 "Amazing 1st half!" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Pocatello Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This marathon is worth the trip! Very easy logistics, small and intimate. The buses were late picking us up which left very little time at the staging area before the start and wasn't great if you had to use the facilities (though as I understand it, a bus or two didn't show up, which isn't the RD's fault). The first half was significant downhill. The scenery for the first 14 or so was amazing. No cars, just a few hundred marathoners. Very peaceful and enjoyable. The 2nd half was less enjoyable...we met up with the halfers, so it got more crowded, and we shared more major roads with cars for rolling hills. The medal was gorgeous, and the swag (potatoes!) was awesome. Volunteers and crew were very friendly. The first half of this marathon makes it worth doing! | |
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Joy Sacco from San Diego, California
(9/5/2011)
"Best Race Ever!!!!" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Pocatello Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a perfect 1st marathon race! I've run many half marathons, but this was my first full and it was fabulous! You begin at the top of a mountain and stand under a sky Full of stars. Watch the sun come up as you head down the first 13 miles which are a gentle effortless downhill through gorgeous country mountains that are lines with beautiful flowers, horses, sheep and the occassional farm with the family outside cheering. What more could you ask for. The last 13 are flat through streets alongside the mountains (this is the half marathon course). Everyone there was so friendly and it was a nice intimate race. It was very well organized, plenty of aid stations and lots of good food at the end. There was tons of great stuff as an extra bonus; the nicest race shirt I've ever gotten, a duffle bag, bag of potatoes : ), and a big impressive medal to top it off! I drove 14 hours to get there, and it was worth every bit of it! We stayed at the host hotel and it made it so easy and fun. My whole family enjoyed the event. | |
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H. S. from Tallahassee, Florida
(9/5/2011)
"Beautiful, Serene, Well organized race" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Pocatello Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 There are no spectators to speak of, but I hate that this will detract from the score here because the worst thing this race could do would be turn it into a full out party atmosphere. It just wouldn't fit the course. The course is beautiful and serene: especially the first half. The half marathoners definitely miss out. It seemed well organized, despite a snafu with the buses. I also got the strong impression by questions from race staff the race director is always willing to work on those things so I suspect that will be improved in the future. There are pace teams despite the race being relatively small, which is awesome. This is one of the better courses to BQ on as a last chance course if you are smart and don't try to bank tons of time... actually good weather, nice course, etc. It is a race I would recommend anyone to do but partly want to keep it my little beautiful, serene secret! | |
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Tom Henderson from Lowell, Mass.
(9/4/2011)
"Wonderful marathon for the seasoned runner" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Pocatello Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This race has a lot to offer to a marathoner. Great course, excellent staff, weather was perfect. The race director & staff is truly commited to providing runners with all they need to have a great marathon experience. One unique item about the dark morning start was that it is located adjacent to a farm and I think we runners woke up the goats. They sure made a lot of noise and new friends. The negative comments I have relate to the fact that they put on too many races simutaneouly. This makes the award ceremony very long and tedious. Also, there are very, very few course spectators. Coming from the Boston area and the Boston Marathon, it seemed somewhat spooky. But, in Idaho that is probably small potatoes. Otherwise the food at the finish and the Idaho hospitality in general make this race a real winner! | |
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J. M. from Idaho
(9/11/2010)
"Great to be a part of it all!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Pocatello Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am so glad to be a part of this and the other Pocatello races this year. I travel for one and a half hours to do it, but it's worth it. I have had some major health issues the past four years and this is my gift to myself. My only goal is to finish and not be last, and I actually placed this year in my age category! Woohoo! Thanks for the fun! | |
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A. W. from Salt Lake City, UT
(9/8/2010)
"Pocatello, You've Done it Again!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Pocatello Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this marathon last year and had to come back. I had such a great time last year that I wasn't sure it could get much better, but it did! The organization for this race is great and the swag is the best - I LOVED the backpacks and tech-shirts, but the bag of potatoes always makes you feel like you're in Idaho! I have to say the marathon finisher medals were AWESOME!! I loved the colorful ribbon and larger size this year! The post-race food was the best I have ever seen at a race! Pulled pork sandwiches and baked potatoes = yummy!! Loved the course and the bib chip this year! WAY TO GO, POCATELLO!! | |
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A. A. from Chubbuck, ID
(9/7/2010)
"Enjoyable Race!" (about: 2010)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the first year that I participated in the marathon. The event was very well organized and I felt spoiled throughout the entire race with all the frequent, and much appreciated, aid stations! The scenery was very enjoyable during the first half of the marathon. I appreciated the runners' area at the finish line with free food available to participants. My only complaint is the number of non-runners I saw in this area taking advantage of the free handouts. I know that several other marathon participants weren't able to get some food due to the food either being gone or the lines being too long. The number of non-runners in this area was inflated by family members of the younger participants (fun runners) checking on their child who had just run one mile, and seeing the food thought it was available for everyone and their family. I suggest that next year the kids participating in anything under a 5K have a different runners' area at the finish line (possibly hand out a Popsicle) to avoid the congestion of family members in the runners area taking advantage of the free food available for actual participants. Thanks for a great event!!! | |
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R. B. from Katy, Texas
(9/7/2010)
"Great time in Pocatello" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Pocatello Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I did the half marathon and really enjoyed this race. The beautiful mountains, lush valleys, and cool temps with no humidity were terrific, and the course is fast and mostly downhill. Packet pick up was not crowded and backpacks were given to all participants with tech shirt and a sack of Idaho potatoes. Unlike most races, the marathon starts an hour before the half, and after the half start the 10K, 5K, etc. As this race grows, the finish will become extremely crowded, and even now there are no street closures so as you come into town on Highway 91 you have to be aware of traffic and slower runners/walkers ahead of you. The crowds are sparse until you get to the finish line, where delicious food awaits. Incredibly well organized/friendly race - highly recommended. |
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