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YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs race photo

YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

USMay 15, 202742.195km · 21.1km · 10km +1 more events
Ronquillo4Hire · CC BY-SA 3.0
Race date in 212 days
May 15, 2027 Sat
City · Distance
Boise · 42.195km · 21.1km · 10km +1 more events
Entry fee
$90Varies by event and entry period
Status
OpenMon, July 13, 2026 ~ Sat, May 15, 2027See how to enter ↗
Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 15, 2026
YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs race photo
Ronquillo4Hire · CC BY-SA 3.0
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

This is the 50th Idaho Potato Marathon.

Hosted by the local YMCA, it also offers shorter events.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs runner reviews and race reports

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 2
blakeRan in 2016 · Finish time 2:58:15
“I crossed the line at 2:58:15!”

At the 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Marathon, the runner followed a familiar Boise River course to finish in 2 hours, 58 minutes, 15 seconds, achieving a personal best and a Boston qualifying time. Friends' encouragement helped them push through calf tightness in the second half and finish third overall.

Read the original on blake runs
ncforestrangerRan in 2013 · Finish time 2:21:48
“I was excited to cross the finish line strongly.”

At the 2013 Famous Idaho Potato half marathon, the runner pursued a first half marathon finish but missed their time goal after stomach trouble forced two bathroom stops. Family support helped them run their fastest mile at the end and finish in 2 hours, 21 minutes, 48 seconds.

Read the original on Field Data Sheet – Notes from the Woods

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Famous Idaho Potato Marathon

Joshua Branham

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

Marathon

Entry cost $90

until Nov 30, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

Half

Entry cost $70

until Nov 30, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

10K

Entry cost $35

until Nov 30, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page

5K

Entry cost $35

5K Spud Run · until Nov 30, 2026 · subject to change — verify officially

Organizer's page
Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs course map and elevation

Your 42.195km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 07:00
not the start line

We have not confirmed the start line coordinates yet.

START

2201 W Cesar Chavez Ln, Boise, ID

Start · Google Maps
FINISH

Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, Boise

Finish · Google Maps
Show more

Boise River Greenbelt, mostly gentle downhill

The Marathon·Half Marathon·10K·5K Spud Run events are held together.

Start line is located at 2201 W Cesar Chavez Ln, Boise, ID, and the start time is 7:00 a.m. local time.

Course is a point-to-point course with a different start and finish.

Typical race-season temperature: around 14°C (58°F)
Short sleeves or light long sleeves + arm warmers

Participant benefits

Not yet confirmed in the official race guide

Where and when to collect your YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

Pick up your bib at the expo

Friday before race day, 15:00-19:00, Morrison Center

Stations & transport near the venue

  • Getting to the startNo public transit access - the marathon/half start line is at Lucky Peak (remote, outside downtown Boise).
  • Getting to the finishThe Morrison Center (Boise State University campus), central Boise - served by Valley Regional Transit (VRT) local bus routes and walkable from downtown hotels.

Source · checked Aug 23, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

No public transit access - the marathon/half start line is at Lucky Peak (remote, outside downtown Boise). The only way to reach it is the organizer's 'Potato Shuttle', boarding at Albertsons Headquarters (250 E Parkcenter Blvd, Boise).

Shuttle pickup runs 5:00-6:30am at Albertsons HQ; a bib number is required to board. This is a point-to-point course finishing in downtown Boise.

com, runguides.com both list 2027 event).

Map

Getting to the finish

The Morrison Center (Boise State University campus), central Boise - served by Valley Regional Transit (VRT) local bus routes and walkable from downtown hotels.

Finish and packet pickup (Fri May 14, 3-7pm) both at The Morrison Center; no rail transit in Boise, but it's centrally located and walkable from downtown.

Map

Start shuttle

Organizer 'Potato Shuttle' bus is mandatory/primary transport from Albertsons HQ parking to the Lucky Peak start line (5:00-6:30am, bib required).

Source · checked Aug 23, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

Entry fees range from $35 to $90 depending on the distance.

The course is a flat loop along the Boise Greenbelt beside the Boise River,

with many gently downhill sections that make it favorable for chasing a personal best.

The start and finish are at the Morrison Center.

Race-day starts are staggered: the marathon at 7 a.m., half marathon at 9 a.m., 10K at 10 a.m.,

and 5K Spud Run at 10:30 a.m. BIB and packet pickup takes place on Friday,

the day before the race, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Morrison Center on the Boise State University campus.

Parking is available at the Brady Street lot.

The 2027 race marks the 50th anniversary.

Times are local to Boise. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Boise Car Rental (Qeeq)

Compare budget-friendly rental cars with a free-cancellation option (check the price when booking) · Check price and book

View on Qeeq

Hotels near the YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs start line in Boise

Hotels that make race morning easy

View all →

Distances are straight-line from the start/finish area.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

The start and finish are in the same place
We picked stays around that one spot.

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

Trip.comClosest to the start lineView on Trip.com

Time for you, before and after the finish

View all →

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Boise Car Rental (Qeeq)

Compare budget-friendly rental cars with a free-cancellation option (check the price when booking) · Check price and book

View on Qeeq

Boise Airport Pickup (Welcome)

Local driver pick-up, flight delay monitoring included (price confirmed at time of reservation) · Book after checking price

View on Welcome Pickups

What to see in Boise after the race

Seeing Boise with the medal on

View all →

The city you ran — this time, a little slower.

Eating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on map

Hotel distances are straight-line from the start. Experiences, food and sights are travel products in Boise.

Total cost and budget for YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · Trip.comFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Boise runners' room

Frequently asked questions about YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs

FAQ
When does YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs 2027 take place?

It takes place on Sat, May 15, 2027 in Boise, ID, United States.

How much is the YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs 2027 entry fee?

The main event costs $90.

What distances does YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs 2027 offer?

Marathon · Half · 10K · 5K.

What time does YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs 2027 start?

The race starts at 07:00.

Where does YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs 2027 start?

2201 W Cesar Chavez Ln, Boise, ID.

What is the YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs 2027 course like?

The Marathon·Half Marathon·10K·5K Spud Run events are held together.

Start line is located at 2201 W Cesar Chavez Ln, Boise, ID, and the start time is 7:00 a.m. local time.

When does registration for YMCA Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs 2027 open?

Registration runs from Mon, July 13, 2026 to Sat, May 15, 2027.

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