Next race
Saturday, 15 May 2027
7:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban and greenbelt road
Elevation
Rolling · 100 m gain
100 m climbing
Race profile
The Famous Idaho Potato Marathon draws approximately 1,600 finishers each May on an urban and greenbelt road in Boise, United States. The event's branding is playful, but the course is a serious spring marathon with a loyal regional following. The course passes the Boise River Greenbelt, city parklands, and tree-lined streets with foothill views. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Famous Idaho Potato Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 1,600 finishers
Course & terrain
Starts and finishes near downtown Boise's park system. The course passes the Boise River Greenbelt, city parklands, and tree-lined streets with foothill views. Mostly flat with gentle undulations. Very flat throughout.
The Famous Idaho Potato Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 100 metres of climbing and 95 metres of descent, with a net climb of 5 metres from start to finish.
Rolling · 100 m gain — approx. 823 m above sea level
↑ 100 m · ↓ 95 m · net +5 m
Registration
The Famous Idaho Potato Marathon uses open online registration at famousidahopotatomarathon.com with no ballot or qualifying time required. Sign-up for the May race typically opens the previous year and places are allocated first-come, first-served. Tiered pricing increases closer to race day, and charity bibs are available through partner organisations when general entry closes.
Getting there
Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field (BOI)
6 km / 4 mi
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Boise.
The Missoula Marathon draws approximately 2,200 finishers each June on a point-to-point valley road in Missoula, United States. Its small-city atmosphere and fast terrain give it an outsized reputation among experienced marathoners. The route passes ranch land, the Clark Fork valley, and a fast final approach into Missoula's core. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 27 June 2027
The Ogden Marathon draws approximately 2,500 finishers each May on a canyon point-to-point road in Ogden, United States. The canyon start gives the event one of the most scenic road descents on the U.S. spring calendar. The course passes steep canyon walls, pine-lined descents, and the Union Station area in the city finish. The route is net downhill overall.
Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027
The Jackson Hole Marathon draws approximately 248 finishers each September on a scenic road in Jackson Hole, United States. Wyoming's largest marathon by participation finishes at the base of the Tetons on a certified Boston-qualifier course. The course tours Jackson Hole valley roads, community pathways, Wilson, and Grand Teton views. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 5 September 2027
The Bear Lake Wyoming Marathon draws approximately 41 finishers each August on a scenic road in Cokeville, United States. The Bear Lake Wyoming Marathon serves runners on the scenic Wyoming side of Bear Lake each August. The course tours Bear Lake basin roads with mountain and lake-country scenery on the Wyoming–Idaho border. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 1 August 2027
The REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon is a net-downhill speed course drawing approximately 2,500 finishers each September through Utah's Wasatch Mountains. Starting at Guardsman Pass and descending Big Cottonwood Canyon to Cottonwood High School in Murray, the course drops roughly 1,600 m on a steep scenic mountain highway. September's crisp alpine morning and the fast descent make it one of America's most popular personal-best marathons.
Next race: Saturday, 18 September 2027
The Salt Lake City Marathon draws approximately 1,500 finishers each April on an urban road in Salt Lake City, United States. Descending from the east bench gives the race a quick first half before the city grid settles the pace. The course passes This Is The Place Heritage Park, Liberty Park, and temple district streets with Wasatch views throughout. The route is net downhill overall.
Next race: Friday, 23 April 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
Which US marathons produce Boston qualifiers in practice — course data, typical BQ rates, and how to match a race to your qualifying window.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
