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Hey y'all. Today's story is about running races happening this year in & around Boise. We have allll kinds of races here in Boise. Short distance benefit races, annual marathons, tough trail races, and even a few duathlon and triathlon events.

I ran the Idaho Potato Marathon once. I wanted to run 26 miles while I was 26, and I did. But good lord, it was not pretty. I actually got last place in my age group and was one of the last finishers overall. I remember turning the final corner and seeing that giant turd potato at the finish line. All of the vendors had packed up and gone home already, and there was just a giant pile of bagels on a fold out table haha! But I was so happy to be done I could have wept. I did it.

Running that far is really hard. Training to run that far is even more difficult, I think. It's months of staying focused on your goal. It's running when you don't feel like it or when the weather sucks. But that is where something magical happened to me. Running taught me I could do hard things. It proved to me that humans have this insane ability to override our thoughts, and sometimes we have to recognize that thoughts are just thoughts. That I could fall (literally, see below) and get back up, dust myself off, and keep on truckin'. It proved to me that I could do really hard things by myself, at my own pace, in my own way.

This might sound all woowoo, but all that taught me a lot about life. Running is hard. Running sucks sometimes. Sometimes all we can do is put one foot in front of the other when all you want to do is stop. I've thought about this so many times in other areas of my life since then, and it is what got me through.

After all, a 15 minute mile is just as far as a 5 minute mile. Keep going.

Sooo whether you are a new runner looking for a goal to reach, a seasoned racer looking to push yourself, or just looking for a fun volunteer opportunity, here's some local races happening this year to consider:

Short distance races

​June 3: Capitol Classic Kids Race

The Capitol Classic Kids Race is a short & fun run open to kids ages 6 to 14 of all abilities. It's a one-mile course from the Boise Train Depot to the State Capitol, with a "Finish Line Fair" in Cecil D. Andrus Park. All participants receive a medal and a t-shirt.

June 4: Run for Dunn

The Run for Dunn started in 2011 as a way for friends & family of Amy Dunn to support her as she fought a diagnosis of Stage IV melanoma. It became both a support system and a fundraising effort to help Amy. Sadly she lost her battle in March 2012 at the age of 29. The annual run honors Amy's life and promotes melanoma awareness and sun safety.

June 10: ​​Old Fort Boise Days Fun Run/Walk

  • Distance: 10K, 5K, kids run
  • Location: Parma High School Track
  • More info & sign up here​

Parma's Annual Old Fort Boise Days includes a fun run/walk on Saturday morning at 8am. The event raises money for the Parma Schools Cross Country Program.

June 24: Ponderosa Park Run

  • Distance: 7mi, 5mi, 1mi kids run
  • Location: Ponderosa State Park, McCall
  • More info & sign up here​

The Ponderosa Park Run has been happening for 46 years! It's super scenic run through Ponderosa State Park, surrounded by Payette Lake.

July 4: Melba 4th of July Fun Run

Melba goes all out for its 4th of July celebration, including a fun run to kick things off on Saturday morning. There's a 6 mile run and a 2 mile run/walk.

July 4: Brundage Mountain Summit Cat Track 10K/5K

  • Distance: 10K, 5K
  • Location: Brundage Mountain, McCall
  • More info and sign up here​

Run 3.1 miles up to the summit of Brundage, ascending 1,640 feet to 360 degree views of Payette Lake, The 7 Devils Mountains, Granite Peak, Slab Butte, and the Wallowa Mountains in Eastern Oregon. Then turn around and run back down! 5K runners ride the chairlift up and run the downhill portion only.

July 15: Indian Creek Wine Run

  • Distance: 5K, 2.5K
  • Location: Indian Creek Winery, Kuna
  • More info & sign up here​

The Indian Creek Wine Run is a fun race through Idaho wine country. Loop around Indian Creek Winery's vineyards twice for the 5K or once for the 2.5K and reward yourself with a glass of wine at the finish line.

August 5: Boise Front Trail Run

The 8th annual Boise Front Trail Run was started by the YMCA and is now put on by a group of local runners. There's a 10 mile and 5 mile course, both starting from Bogus Basin's Frontier Nordic Lodge.

Sat Sept 30: Warrior Race

This year is the inaugural Warrior Race, which will raise funds for Military Working Dogs of the 366th Security Forces Squadron Mountain Home AFB. There's three distances and all are open to runners of all abilities.

Long distance races

Sat April 15: Race to Robie Creek

  • Distance: 13.1mi run
  • Location: Boise Foothills
  • More info: robiecreek.com​
  • Sign up is on President's Day and sells out fast. Email organizers for late entry.

The Race to Robie Creek has become an iconic local race. You can read my story to learn more about the history of the event. The race begins at Fort Boise high noon and travels up Rocky Canyon to Aldape Summit, then down the other side to Robie Creek Campground. Basically it's straight up, then straight down. This year it's going to be sunny, but in year's past (like last year) it can be snow or rain or both. Registration is on President's Day and usually sells out in a few hours, but this time of year there is usually people starting to bail so you can try to get an entry. Good luck to everyone running this weekend!

April 22: Boise River Marathon/Half Marathon

  • Distance: 26.2mi, 13.1mi, 10K, 5K run
  • Location: Boise Greenbelt
  • More info & sign up here​

This year is the second annual for this beautiful race along the Boise River Greenbelt. Registration is full for all four races, but you can check in with organizers who will try to accomodate everyone.

April 22: Weiser River Trail 50K Ultra and Relay

The Weiser River Trail is a former railroad that has been converted to an 84-mile National Recreation Path. This race covers just over 31 miles of the trail and is open to solo, relay, and adaptive runners. It's pretty flat and dry this time of year!

May 13: Famous Idaho Potato Marathon & Fun Runs

The 45th annual Idaho Potato Marathon and Half Marathon start at Lucky Peak State Park and travel along the Boise Greenbelt and through Warm Springs Avenue, ending at Albertson's HQ. The 5K and 10K start and end at Albertson's HQ. May is beautiful Greenbelt running weather!

May 27: Redfish Lake Lodge Run

This year is the 13th annual Redfish Lake Lodge Memorial Run. All races begin and end at the lodge. The half marathon course spans the north end of the lake, passes Little Redfish Lake and loops back. There's also a pre-race meal hosted by the lodge. Sounds fun!

June 2: Scout Mountain Ultras

The Scout Mountain Ultra events take runners on a challenging tour of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest outside of Pocatello, Idaho. It's a rugged, mountain running event and the course can be tough and weather can be unpredictable. It's one that will test you - mind, body & spirit!

July 1: Dirty Dog Trail Marathon & Half Marathon

Both races start and end at Fort Boise parking lot and cover some of Boise's best trails. Marathon runners have another incentive: first guy & gal to reach the top of Hard Guy get $100 cash! A portion of proceeds go to Idaho Humane Society.

Aug 4: Owyhee 50/50 Night Run

  • Distance: 50K, 50mi trail run
  • Location: Owyhee Desert
  • More info & sign up here​

Don't worry about the heat - this is a night time race! Both distances start and end at the Homedale Middle School parking lot and follow a lollipop course. The majority of the run is on dirt roads with the last 5 miles paved.

Aug 12: Rock n' Brew

  • Distance: 50K, 28K, 10mi trail run
  • Location: Avimor, Spring Creek Brewing
  • More info & sign up here​

A brand new race! This trail run starts at the park in Avimor and travels through the foothills, ending at Spring Creek Brewing for food, music and a cold beverage. The first 50K runner to reach Sheep Rock gets $50 cash.

Sept 3: Payette Lake Run

Like the name suggests, this is a run at the beautiful Payette Lake. There's three distances, a 5K, 10K, and a 30K, which travels around the entire lake.

Sept 16: Idaho Running Day

Celebrate running in Idaho with... a run! All distances are out-and-backs that start and end at Sandy Point at Lucky Peak State Park and follow the Boise River Greenbelt. This race is a Boston Marathon Qualifier.

Sept 16-17: Idaho Mountain Trail Ultra Festival

  • Distance: 100mi
  • Location: Salmon River Mountains outside of McCall
  • More info: imtuf100.com​
  • Sign up here​

The 12th annual IMTUF will be the weekend of Sept 16-17 and starts and ends at Jug Mountain Ranch in McCall. This is an advanced, technical, and very difficult race through the Salmon River Mountains that features steep climbs and descents, river crossings, wildlife and incredible views.

Sept 23: FitOne Half Marathon

St Luke's FitOne has become a popular local race, because it's fun! The half marathon starts in the heart of downtown Boise then travels out to Barber Park and back into town on the Boise Greenbelt, finishing at Ann Morrison. The 5k and 10k stay closer to downtown Boise. They have a big Finish Festival at the park for runners & their supporters.

Sat Sept 30: Bogus 50/50

The Bogus 50/50 race has 3 distances: 50 miles, 50K and 15 miles. All three races travel on single track trails in the foothills, starting and ending in the Fort Boise parking lot. This race is a UTMB World Series Qualifier.

Oct 15: City of Trees Marathon

  • Distance: 26.2mi, 13.1mi, 10K, 5K
  • Location: Boise Greenbelt
  • More info & sign up here​

Run through the City of Trees in the season that shows them off best. The races start and end at Payette Brewing and travel along the beautiful Boise Greenbelt. A great one if you prefer to run in the warmer months - plus they have cool swag!

Multisport Races

June 17-18: Treasure Valley Triathlon

  • Distance: Olympic (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run), Sprint (750M swim, 20K bike, 5K run), Supersprint (400M swim, 10K bike, 2.5K run), Youth (100-200M swim, 1-2K run)
  • Location: Quinns Pond, Boise
  • More info: www.treasurevalleytri.com/home​
  • Sign up here​

Boise's hometown Triathlon has a distance for all ages and abilities. These can be done solo or as a relay. The race also raises funds for adaptive sports across Idaho. Spectators welcome!

Sept 24: Wild River Dash

  • Distance: Duathlon
  • Location: Quinn's Pond, Boise
  • More info & sign up here​

This is a family-friendly, all ages duathlon race. The course features a .5 mile paddle across Quinn's Pond and a 2 mile loop run on the Greenbelt. It's open to adults, teens and kids of all abilities, and they have paddleboards and kayaks for use.

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Alsooo fyi, while researching this story I found out that Sawtooth Relay officially called it quits. It was a super fun relay race from Stanley to Sun Valley that ran for 20 years. Bummer.

What are your favorite local races? Let me know if I missed any!

Thanks for reading & happy running!

With love from Boise,

Marissa

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From Boise

Every Tuesday, read a story about a person, place, piece of Boise history, or local happening. Every Thursday, get a huge list of things to do over the weekend. No news, no politics - just the fun stuff.

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