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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers
It's here! Our annual list of the year's best marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.
The Marathon starting line is located on Idaho Highway 47 the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway. Most of the course is on the pavement. Vehicle traffic is generally light during the early morning hours but will increase in numbers and speed as the day goes on. The road shoulder is very narrow and does not allow a lot of room for runners.
The Mesa Falls Marathon was the 326th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 372nd largest in 2022.
Last year 8.8% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 8.2% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.
This gives the Mesa Falls Marathon the 217th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 218th highest percentage in 2022.
Its Course Score of 96.09 ranks it as the 394th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest course in Idaho.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Mesa Falls Marathon a PR Score of 96.09. This PR Score ranks it as the 373rd fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 5th fastest in Idaho.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Mesa Falls Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 6232 feet (1900m) Min Elevation: 5254 feet (1601m)
The overall marathon was awesome. The race director was super. We had an interesting year, where COVID was a factor as well as the ENTIRE area covered in smoke thanks to wildfires in Cali. Even with all those challenges, the race director did a great job ensuring the race went on - and was successful.
For me, this was a PR finally breaking the 4 hour limit. While I couldn't see the Tetons or some of the vistas in the distance, it was still really beautiful corse. Water stations were adequate, and the finish was great. The race is small enough that you can be running by yourself, but in no way did I feel that the race was too small that it was lacking anything.
Loved the course, loved the size, loved the overall experience - even with wildfires and COVID 'in play'.
Race Tips
First 9 miles are on a dirt road (easy road, but if wet you might be navigating mud/pooled water). - but it is a great easy start.
Next few miles are on a road, with a decent gradual downhill. One spot (right around mile 13) is a decent downhill. Next 4ish miles are on a beautiful dirt path that gradually takes you down to the 'valley'. At no point in the race did I feel like the downhill was too much on the legs.
Next 3 miles is a challenge. You will be going uphill. The initial portion is the toughest grade, and then it is a bit more gradual, but fight through that area and you should arrive at the top in the fields with some gradual downhill to take you into town.
Last 6 are easy long straight roads that take you right into town. You hit the town roughly at mile 25.
Don't be afraid of the hill, but get comfortable with the long slow climb.
Also be aware, the half marathon will join the course 2 hours after marathon start. Don't be discouraged by anyone passing you towards the end!
I stayed in Rexburg, which was about 25 mins south. Easy drive from the Hampton Inn - Mariott right off of the highway.
ms's review of 2016 Mesa Falls Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
This is my favorite race I've ever run. I can't imagine there is a more beautiful race in America. I ran St. George just a few weeks after this. St. George is known for its beautiful scenery, but it didn't compare with Mesa Falls. The locals are wonderful. The aid stations are the best I've had in a race with their abundant choices of drinks and foods. The finish line was awesome, again with the best food of any race I've had. The course is half off-road and half on-road. You wind through meadows and forests, right past a gorgeous waterfall, on the highway, *under* the highway, on a beautiful and fun trail, alongside a beautiful river, up a long and challenging three mile hill, through rolling farm land, through two cute small towns that are rural America at its finest, and down a home stretch next to a beautiful park. You even get a free huckleberry shake down the road when you're done. I love everything about this race. Of all the races I've run, this is the one I would most want to come back to, even over Boston. Highest recommendation possible.
Race Tips
Save plenty for the big hill from mile 17 to mile 20. Don't be afraid to take walking breaks at aid stations but especially on the hill. Even with the long hill, this course gave me my first negative split, all because I was sure to leave plenty in the tank for the final 6.2. It was fun passing people along that last portion and finishing strong.
Book a hotel early. There aren't many in Ashton, but they're all in walking distance to the school where the bus leaves. I was too late and had to stay in Rexburg, 25 miles away.
