I really wanted to like Pocatello more than I did. Part of that was my fault for going out way too fast only to fade early.

What I liked:
1. The first half of the course was so beautiful, starting up in the hills on a cool morning, just before sunrise.
2. Very well-organized bus ride from the race hotel- not too cool to wait outside.
3. Nice rural scenery, with changing views as the road wound down the mountain, from the start to about mile 12.
4. Decent post-race feast, though I was really too nauseous to enjoy a pulled pork sandwich.

What I didn't like:
1. The altitude kicked my butt. Make no mistake: this race starts at 6000' above sea level, then drops quickly. I burned down those hills (instead of pacing properly- I know better, but couldn't resist the crowd. I paid for this folly.)
2. I hit mile 13.1 EXACTLY at the same place and time the half marathon started. So while the full marathon crowd had thinned, I found myself suddenly struggling through a throng of walkers. Not fun if your 13.1 time is between 1:45-1:50.
3. Mile 14 to the end are basically long, rolling hills on painfully straight rural roads parallel to I-15. I just hate running bleak straightaways into the horizon. The temperature really started to climb here too, and with no shade in the high desert, I slowed down a lot.
All in all, not a great finish time for me, BUT I did enjoy the company of quite a few runners. Organization was well done and efficient, and the race hotel was great (and inexpensive). I wouldn't run this one again, but I traveled from DC to check off Idaho. And that said, I made a great vacation of it over a week with side trips to Yellowstone and Moab. I know others enjoyed the race more than I did, and I think if I'd paced myself better in the beginning (RESPECT THE DOWNHILL!) I wouldn't have slogged through the second half so much. If you do this one, practice your pacing on long downhill runs.

I hardly know where to start with the positives. Very modest entry fee. I got in early for about half what I normally pay for a marathon. Packet pickup is the best I have ever seen in 18 marathons. The packet pickup is in one part of the host hotel and the expo is in another part of the same hotel. And it is easy in-easy out. The bus ride was on a comfortable motor coach. The start line seemed well organized. And they had someone sing the national anthem which I loved. As an aside last year they did not have the national anthem. I e-mailed the race director and told him that with several hundred runners, someone out there would be happy to belt out The Star Spangled Bannerthis tells me that they take feedback seriously which is the sign of a truly great organization. The course is beautiful. Almost all downhill during the first half, mostly flat in the second half. There is only one hill in the second half of any consequence at about mile 21 as you approach Century High School. The aid stations were the best I have ever seen. They were all well-stocked and had plenty of volunteers at each station. I have run marathons with 5 times as many runners as Pocatello that did not have as many volunteers per aid station. Also the finish line was excellent. Lots of good food. A local restaurant had sandwiches and potatoes. I'm not much for solid food post-race but found lots of chocolate milk available to start my recovery. The medal is probably my favorite.

There were some negatives, but they were really small. The PA system at the start was hard to hear. And a couple of aid stations had water that seemed colder than what I like when running. I e-mailed the race director about the negatives and based on past experience they are likely to be corrected next year.

I gave 2 stars for fans, only because of quantity, not quality.

Overall, this is my favorite marathon. I plan on being back next year.

As good as it gets! Beautiful course, amazing organization, cheerful volunteers. Highly recommended.

Course was absolutely beautiful; the last half was not as great.
Organization Top notch great! I love the duffle bag (not cheap) and 5 pound of potatoes.
Spectators Not too much at first, more as one finished.
I absolutely love this marathon I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to PR or BQ if raced well. I did not because I did not train to do so I was coming off my first streak of multiple marathoning: 3 marathons in 85 days and now a member of the marathon maniacs. For report go to runrunrace.com

A bus brings you 26.2 miles up a mountain. 5am & you run down. The air was clear, dry, & scented with sage brush. You run by teepees, sheep, ranches, the union pacific railroad, & rock formations. Lots of water stations, beautiful course, serious runners. You end up the zoo w lots of goodies. Also great swag! Well done!

The organization for this event was stellar. There were lots of porta potties at the start, plenty of drinks and food on the course, miles were well marked, and the start and finish festivals were well done. The course meanders downhill for the first half and then is flat to rolling for the second half. There wasn't much of a crowd along the way, although we passed the runners preparing to start the half, 10K, and 5K, and they all cheered us on. The baby goats in the barn at the start were a treat. The views were pleasant and the race organizers were friendly and accomodating. I recommend it.

Everything with this race went off without a hitch. It was a small race; nothing like the RnR events which I think is a good thing. It is clear that this race is about the runners. The expo was small but had the necessities. The pasta dinner and expo were located at the host hotel. It was nice to have everything right there. The duffel bags and potatoes make some unique swag! On race morning you board a bus that takes you out to a barn seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Plenty of porto-potties available and the family that owned the barn was there talking to the runners. You start as the sun comes up and run mostly downhill past scenic mountains and farm-land. I loved that everyone I met on the course was an experienced marathoner taking the event seriously. I am a fifty stater and it was a great place to have a reunion marathon. Keep up the great event Pocatello!

This is a great small race. Expo is small but you can get the basics if you forget something. Loved the neon green duffle bag and 5 lb bag of potatoes you get. I use the duffle as my workout bag. Even the 5K runners got the duffle bag. Marathon race start didn't have much fanfareand started a few minutes late. First several miles downhill is quick. Race course is very scenic, especially the first half. Nice post race party and food at the end. Plenty of grassy area to stretch and relax. Again well done for such a small race. Enjoyed and highly recommend.

Great race in every aspect. Fabulous scenery, well organized, excellent support at water stops, freindly people, good food at the end. Close to Yellowstone, so it's a great destination race.

I first wanted to give my congratulations and continued support for the Pocatello marathon. It was amazing! I did it last year by the gentle persuasion of two friends and then signed up one more time to give it a another try. Loved it, loved it, loved it! We ran this morning with a group of other runners and I'm sure we have convinced them all to sign up and travel to your beautiful neck of the woods. Thank you for truly one of the best races I've done all year. Everything was perfect, from volunteers (seriously wonderful volunteers), to aid stations, the UPS guys, the overall organization and friendliness. The bags this year were a huge hit(love them), and the famous potatoes-absolutely made our Sunday Dinner this week fabulous. Great atmosphere all around! Thanks for an amazing race!