Jackson Hole Marathon
Jackson, United States · September · Independent
Why people love it
- Teton views and moose sightings on a mostly paved bike path with little traffic.
- Small, well-run race with strong volunteers and clear instructions.
- USATF-certified Boston qualifier: 159 m (522 ft) of gain on paper.
- Finish party in Teton Village; optional early start by approval.
Watch out for
- Start at 1,920 m (6,300 ft): lowlanders slow and run short of breath.
- Cupless aid: carry your own cup or bottle.
- Gradual climb from mile 9 (14 km); the last 10 km (6 mi) are mostly uphill.
- Lodging and flights are costly; late September can bring rain or wildfire smoke.
- Finish is on uneven grass; shuttle to the start is needed and none runs after.
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: Tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.3
RaceRaves 4.5 from 26 ratings and 11 Marathon Maniacs reviews calling it a favourite. Altitude, cupless aid and cost hold it back. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.4
RaceRaves production 4.4; Marathon Maniacs reviewers from 2017 to 2023 call it outstanding and super organized, with clear instructions. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable3.0
Friendly small race with a 6 to 6.5 hour cutoff, but altitude of 1,920 m (6,300 ft) and cupless aid trip up visitors. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage2.8
Only about 159 m (522 ft) of gain, but at 1,920 m (6,300 ft) lowlanders slow, and the last 10 km (6 mi) climb gently. · Medium confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course scenerySpectacular4.8
RaceRaves scenery 4.8. Reviewers from 2020 to 2026 praise the Teton views, with moose sightings on a quiet bike path. · High confidence
- Room to runRoomy4.0
Small field of about 233 marathoners on wide paths; point-to-point with no hairpins. · Medium confidence
- Road surfaceGood4.1
99.6% paved roads and paved path; the last 0.1 mile (160 m) is on slightly uphill grass, called uneven by 2025 and 2026 reviewers. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.7
Mostly paved bike paths with little interaction with traffic (2018 reviewer); some road crossings. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessMostly flat4.1
Official gain 159 m (522 ft), though reviewers count 120 to 230 m (400 to 750 ft). Gentle climb after mile 9 (14 km). · Medium confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
Net about 3 m (11 ft) of gain officially. Boston qualifier, except in 2021. · Medium confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSmooth3.5
Pre-race shuttles from the finish area to the start; there is no post-race shuttle. A 2026 reviewer recommends buying the shuttle. · Low confidence
- Pacers and timingSome pace groups3.2
Small field; pace groups not confirmed in sources reached. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportDecent2.5
Small, quiet event; spectators can see runners at a few points on the paths, bigger crowds in Teton Village at the finish. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.4
Cupless: carry your own cup or bottle; refilling cost one 2026 runner time. Gel at some stations and good water stops per 2018 reviewers. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindSome wind3.3
2020 had 20+ mph (32 km/h) headwinds; other years not mentioned. · Low confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant4.1
Late September starts at 1 to 6 °C (34 to 43 °F), highs 18 to 24 °C (64 to 76 °F). Cold rain in 2020. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
2020 brought rain, 20+ mph (32 km/h) headwinds and cold; 2024 had wildfire smoke and 80 °F (27 °C). Mountain weather varies. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.0
Point-to-point; a 2019 reviewer said spectators could easily spot racers; finish in Teton Village has a party. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeHigh altitude1.2
About 1,920 m (6,300 ft) start; reviewers from sea level are slowed. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early3.0
Jackson is a resort town; late September is shoulder season but lodging is pricey and fills with other events. · Medium confidence
- Hotel valuePricey1.9
Three reviewers (2023, 2025, 2026) call lodging and travel costly. · High confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.5
Start at Jackson Town Square, walkable from downtown hotels; finish in Teton Village needs a bus ride or shuttle. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.0
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) about 16 km (10 mi) from town; flights limited and expensive. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.6
Clear instructions, small expo (2025), shuttle to start, finish bus option. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood4.4
Jackson Town Square and Teton Village, Oktoberfest-style post-race party in the village. · High 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 inEasy4.2
About 230 to 250 marathon finishers expected; open entry, no ballots. · Medium confidence
- Value for moneyFair3.4
Fee about $120 before April 30 (2026 listing); small expo and one shirt and medal across all distances (2025 reviewer), Oktoberfest party. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Jackson, Teton County, United States
- Typical month
- September
- Latest or next date
- 26 September 2026
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 233 athletes
- First held
- 2008
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- point-to-point
- Climbing
- 159 m (520 ft)
- Descent
- 156 m (510 ft)
- Start time
- 07:30
- Cutoff
- 6.5 hours
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- 99.6% paved road and bike path, last 0.1 mile (160 m) on grass
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Rarely
- Entry fee
- About $120
- Air temperature
- 1–24 °C (34–75 °F)
- Humidity
- Dry, mountain
- Altitude
- 1,920 m (6,300 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Jackson Hole (JAC), 16 km (10 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Jackson Town Square, Teton Village
- Booking
- Book early; lodging is expensive. Shuttles run from Teton Village to the start; no post-race shuttle.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRavesRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
26 ratings, 4.5 overall; difficulty 3.0, scenery 4.8, production 4.4, swag 3.8. Agree: Teton views are the draw, altitude of 6,300 ft (1,920 m) slows visitors, cupless aid, high costs, tiny expo, uneven grass finish and a fun Oktoberfest-style party.
“Throw in the altitude, and this was a challenging race.”
- MarathonManiacsRaced 2024 · aggregator · Positive
11 member reviews 2016 to 2024. Near-unanimous on outstanding organisation and gorgeous scenery on mostly paved bike path; altitude 6,150 to 6,600 ft (1,875 to 2,010 m) a challenge; no-cup policy disliked by two; 2020 cold, rainy, 20+ mph (32 km/h) headwinds; 2024 wildfire smoke.
“Excellently organized. Gorgeous scenery.”
- Jackson Hole News&GuideRaced 2021 · article · Positive
2021 race report: over 400 marathoners on a changed Covid course; a 50-states finisher called the Tetons 'tough to beat' and a winner said scenery and aid stations kept his pace late.
“tough to beat”
- BibRaveRaced 2020 · aggregator · Mixed
Reviews as surfaced via search (page did not load). Altitude brutal for lowlanders; gradual climb from mile 9 (km 14); cupless aid; one 2020 runner faced rain, 20+ mph (32 km/h) headwinds and cold.
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Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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