Boise Marathon
Boise, United States · June · Independent
Why people love it
- Flat Boise River Greenbelt with shade along the river
- USATF certified course advertised as a Boston qualifier
- Start and finish at Payette Brewing, 5 km (3 mi) from Boise Airport
- Marathon fee about $65 with a medal for every finisher
Watch out for
- No 2027 date announced as of October 2026
- Not closed to traffic: bikes, walkers and dogs share the path
- Highs up to 32 °C (89 °F) on the June date
- Double loop or out and back repeats the same river path
- 2021 and 2022 editions had empty aid stations and poor markings
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Moderate
- Racer satisfactionLiked3.3
RaceRaves rates it 3.4 out of 5 from 12 runners. Recent marathoners are lukewarm to positive; 2021 and 2022 runners were angry. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationAdequate3.3
RaceRaves production is 3.1 out of 5. 2021 and 2022 had empty aid stops and poor markings; 2026 runners found a well-run small race. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.6
Flat Greenbelt (RaceRaves difficulty 2 out of 5) with about 7.9 hours of course time. Warm June, shared path, some aid stops without toilets. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.8
Flat with no net drop and USATF certified. Walkers, bikes and dogs on the path, plus highs near 32 °C (89 °F), cost time. · Low confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryBeautiful3.5
RaceRaves scenery is 3.5 out of 5. Shaded Boise River Greenbelt with water views; locals and some marathoners find a repeated path dull. · Medium confidence
- Room to runCrowded2.4
Two loops or an out and back on a shared path. The 5K and 10K overlap the marathon, so late miles weave around walkers. · Medium confidence
- Road surfaceGood3.8
Paved Greenbelt path; reviewers do not report rough patches, but the path is used by cyclists and walkers. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly open1.8
RaceRaves says the course is not closed to bikes, dogs and pedestrians. A 2026 runner found the path crowded with other users. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessPancake flat4.8
Described as ultra-flat with no elevation gain on HalfRuns; reviewers describe a flat river path. Gain under 60 m (200 ft). · Medium confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
Looped course, no net drop. USATF certified; reviewers describe it as a potential Boston qualifier course. · Medium confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSome waiting3.4
Small start at Payette Brewing with ample parking per a 2024 reviewer; the 2026 marathon starts at 6:04 AM. Past editions had late packet pickup. · Low confidence
- Pacers and timingSome pace groups2.8
No pace groups or tracking app mentioned in any review or listing. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportSparse1.6
Few spectators on the Greenbelt. One 2026 runner wanted a finish-line band and more photo spots. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.0
A 2026 reviewer reports aid every 3 km (2 mi) and friendly volunteers. In 2021 and 2022 stations were empty and cups ran out. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindMostly calm3.5
A 2021 half runner mentions wind; the river corridor is partly sheltered by trees. · Low confidence
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.0
June 20 lows of 5 to 20 °C (41 to 68 °F), highs up to 32 °C (89 °F). Mild 6:04 start, warm later miles. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.3
Highs varied from 17 to 32 °C (63 to 89 °F) over the last five June 20ths. Mostly dry. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.2
Two loops pass the Payette Brewing start area, though the course is a long river path. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeLow3.9
Boise sits near 830 m (2,730 ft), below the 1,500 m (4,900 ft) mark where runners start to notice. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood4.2
Boise has a full range of downtown and airport hotels; no sell-out reports. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.6
No race-weekend price data found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.5
The start is at Payette Brewing on South Pioneer Street, a short ride from downtown. · Low confidence
- Travel easeEasy4.3
Boise Airport is about 5 km (3 mi) from the start. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.5
Expo and bib pickup at the brewery; 2021 and 2022 reviewers report late or confusing packet pickup. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.3
Downtown Boise and a brewery start and finish; Payette made a race-themed beer for the event. · Low confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inOpen entry4.7
Open entry at $65; the race has shrunk, about 444 finishers across all distances in 2026. · Medium confidence
- Value for moneyGood value3.5
Marathon fee about $65. Medals and soft shirts get praise, though RaceRaves swag averages 2.7 out of 5 and post-race food is minimal. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Boise, Idaho, United States
- Typical month
- June
- Latest or next date
- 20 June 2026
- Organiser
- Independent
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- laps
- Start time
- 06:04
- Cutoff
- 7.9 hours
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Paved Boise River Greenbelt path, shared with cyclists, walkers and dogs
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Rarely
- Entry fee
- About $65
- Air temperature
- 13–29 °C (55–84 °F)
- Humidity
- Dry
- Altitude
- 830 m (2,720 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Boise Airport (BOI), 5 km (3 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Downtown Boise, Boise Bench
- Booking
- Downtown Boise hotels are a short ride from the brewery start.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRaves (Boise Marathon, formerly Onward Shay)Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Twelve runners rate it 3.4 out of 5 (production 3.1, scenery 3.5, difficulty 2, swag 2.7). Reviewers agree the Boise River Greenbelt is flat, shaded and pretty but repetitive, shared with other path users, and low-frills. 2021 and 2022 reviews report empty aid stations, poor markings and late packets; two 2026 marathoners found a friendly small race with frequent aid.
- Marathon Investigation (Boise Marathon 2021)Raced 2021 · article · Negative
Report on the 2021 race under a new organiser: poor and confusing markings, aid stations without volunteers, no drinks or electrolytes at many stops, no finish-area medical or food, and shirts not handed out. Winner and podium results were questioned because of the markings. Organisers apologised and promised colour-coded signs and a free re-entry.
Raced Boise Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
Training for Boise Marathon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.