A pretty well organized smaller race. I loved running on the Boise River Greenbelt as it provided plenty of shade when the sun came out behind the early morning clouds that day and temps began to rise. Interesting run by the local horse track stables as trainers exercised their horses at the 17/21 Mile out and back.

A little crowded on the trails with the much larger half marathoner participants, so that it was sometimes hard to run the tangents on the twisty paths. You did run the first couple of miles on a secondary highway so there was a bit of stretch out of the race pack before you hit the narrow fitness path. Once the half marathoners split off to the finish of their race, it became much lonelier and at times felt like a training run by yourself. I had no trouble following the chalk marks and route signage when marshals werent present. Good support and friendly volunteers at the aid stations with plenty chances for water, electrolytes drink or PowerBar products.

T-shirt was generic for all the races, 5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon, so it took away some the bragging rights you instantly get with a specific marathon t-shirt. Also the medal was the same for all races, with a sticker in the middle with tiny lettering denoting you were a 'Marathon Finisher.' Baked potato with lots of fixins' and chocolate milk was great at the end.

It was a pretty good marathon with a very low registration fee, and it was a flat course. There are definitely improvements to be made. The shuttle to the starting line was easy to find and went very smoothly. It would have been nice to have staggered starts since all of the half and full marathoners started at the same time, it was pretty crowded. The race wasn't marked clearly, there were times when cars would be driving in between runners, a group of runners had to get out of the way of a bus while waiting in line at the porta-potty at mile 10, and it became especially confusing for the full marathoners during the second half of the race, I found myself confused at some points and nearly going the wrong way a couple of times. The worst was at around mile 25, there was a sign that pointed forward for full-marathon which was meant to be seen at mile 13-14, but you were really supposed to make a u-turn to go back under a bridge to the finish and that was only marked by chalk on the pavement. I saw a few runners ahead of me make that mistake because they ended up crossing the finish line 5 minutes after I did. I'd be so angry if that was me, especially when you think you're almost done. Another huge improvement that they really need to make is the amount of first-aid they had out there, I only saw one medical aid stand and that was after the finish line. No first-aid help on the course of the race. The course was nice, it would have been better if I just did the half on this one because the greenbelt did get a little boring after a while. There weren't too many spectators, but the few that were there were super supportive! Also the other runners, especially the straggling/suffering marathoners (ahem, me) all pulled together and supported each other... I just loved that. I would definitely recommend this race so that you can experience Boise, it's cheap, flat, we got a free sack of potatoes and everyone there is really nice. But I do hope they make those few improvements!!

Dislikes:
I have ran this marathon 2 times now. The river running along the course provides lots of shade and is pretty, but not for 18-20 miles(there is probably 6-8 miles not by the river)!I really wish the course would venture out through the town more! Boise has so many beautiful spots that could easily be covered in 26.2 miles! City of Trees, which I have also ran, covers much of the city. It is nice to see different scenery when you are running that distance and that long. This year, 2013, the last 5 miles, or so, of the course was changed from when I ran it before. In 2010 after the turn around, you ran along the green belt, past softball fields and ponds to the finish. This year, 2013,after the turn around, the course took you along a trailer park! Also, I ordered an XS shirt, and received a small because people who ordered small switch to XS when they saw how big the small was. I contacted the YMCA to ask for them to order the size I originally asked for, and the first person informed me they would get it ordered and be in contact with me. The second person informed me there is no XS...it was a typo.
Drink flavor could have been better and not so watered down.
Likes
Cold chocolate milk at the finish! Delicious! Had lots of energy food options available through out the course. Potato bar at finish.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.