Sat, Sep 5 · 2026Pocatello, IDSince 2000

Pocatello Marathon

Pocatello runs point-to-point through the hills above the Snake River Plain, losing over a thousand feet from start to finish. It is a small, no-fuss race built for runners who want a genuine shot at a fast time.

Net downhillOpen
POCATELLO · US
Pocatello
SAT, SEP 5
2026
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Race Overview

EST. 2000

Pocatello is a small, honest race and that is exactly the point. It starts up in the hills outside town at nearly 6,000 feet and runs downhill all the way into Pocatello. The course is point-to-point, the field is small, and there is no crowd noise to pull you along. What you get instead is a genuinely fast course and a clean shot at a good time. The downhill feels like a gift early on. Don't trust it. The drop is real but it is steady, and if you let it carry you through the first half you will pay in the last six miles.

This is a PR-friendly course if you run it smart, and the Boston qualifier rate reflects that. It rewards patience more than aggression. Come in with realistic expectations about the altitude at the start, especially if you are flying in from low elevation. Registration is open and straightforward, with tiered pricing that rewards signing up early. The field is small, which means no corrals, no bottlenecks, and no pretense. If you want a quiet race with a real chance at your best time, Pocatello delivers.

Field size
~251
251 finishers
BQ rate
10%
Above national average
Time limit
6:30
Standard cutoff
Entry
Open
First-come registration
Course records
Men
2:26:10
Justin Park
2012
Women
2:56:00
Penny Parrish
2016

The Course

Total ascent
Total descent
1,550 ft
Net elevation
Highest point
5,998 ft
Lowest point
4,457 ft
Course shape
Point to point
Different start and finish

This is a net downhill point-to-point course losing roughly 1,550 feet over 26.2 miles, starting near 6,000 feet and finishing close to 4,500 feet. The descent is gradual enough to run aggressively but sustained enough to trash your quads if you go out hard. The first half carries most of the elevation drop, so resist banking time early. Legs that feel fresh at mile 10 can turn heavy by mile 20 if you overcook the downhill. The high starting elevation is worth accounting for, particularly for runners traveling from sea level. USATF certified, so a PR here counts.

Race-Day Weather

10-year median
Low
42°F
High
78°F
30°MARATHON-IDEAL 4560°80°
What to expect

September in Pocatello means a cold start and a warm finish. You'll want throwaway layers at the gun, a low-40s morning up at the start is not unusual. By the time you're in the later miles the temperature can climb into the upper 70s, so plan for a warm second half. It's generally dry, which helps, but that swing from cold to warm means you're racing the conditions a bit. Dress for the start, hydrate through the middle miles, and don't be surprised if it feels harder than your pace suggests once the sun is up.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration on a rolling basis with tiered pricing starting at $40. Early registration available through February, with prices increasing as race day approaches. Late registrations accepted through packet pickup.

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Frequently Asked

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