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Nov 5, 2024

Mesa Falls Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Mesa Falls Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.7

Organization 4.9

Spectators 3.2

Number of comments: 56 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

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A. C. from Colorado (8/30/2021) "Beautiful small-town marathon!" (about: 2021) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 17th marathon, 15th state. I picked it just to get back on track after almost 2 years of no marathons thanks to COVID, and did little research. My friend and I ended up having an AMAZING time. I don't know if I've ever seen such well organized and perfectly spaced course support in a small town run like this. There were only 116 finishers, but they still had fully stocked aid stations with consistent options every 2ish miles. The volunteers and organizers were helpful and friendly. The course, while more difficult than I anticipated, was absolutely gorgeous. There were long stretches where the road was minimally maintained and it was a lot of effort to avoid potholes and puddles, so be prepared for difficult terrain.
S. H. from Edmond, Oklahoma (8/24/2020) "Wonderful small marathon" (about: 2020) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great experience! very well organized, everybody was so friendly and helpful. Beautiful scenery, plenty of aid stations, even got sprayed down when it got hot. The hill at mile 17 was long and steep but a good excuse to walk. My wife and I both ran and enjoyed this one a lot. Kudos to Dave and all his staff/helpers.
Bob Kroeger from Cincinnati (8/28/2018) "Runner Friendly" (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Mesa Falls Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Some marathon directors "get it," while others don't. Dave Jacobson is one of those who "get it," making his Mesa Falls marathon good in every way. I base this on having done 87 marathons since 2005. This was my third Mesa Falls. What was good about this one? This year the marathon provided a tech shirt I'll wear, one with a small logo on the front and a back devoid of countless sponsor names. You know, the billboard look. Plus, the lively lime green color was not a boring gray, black, or white. Do race directors think that sponsors really care about being on the back of a shirt? Especially one that will sit in the closet or wind up at Goodwill? The $5 pasta dinner was just fine, as was the free breakfast on race day morning. Yes, we had to get up a bit early to catch a bus to the start, but the bus was a luxury coach, equipped with a bathroom, which older folks like me seem to need more than the younger crowd. And, since there were less than 110 finishers, many had the chance to walk away with a wonderful age bracket award - a wooden plaque, engraved with the name, age bracket, and an image of the falls. Much better than a generic cup. One of the highlights for me - after touring the countryside for barn compositions (for paintings) and visiting the sand dunes in St. Anthony on Friday morning - was returning to the fish viewing site on the Warm River at the base of Rt. 47. Since I had been there previously, I wanted to return for old time's sake. High above me, an eagle or osprey soared back and forth, at times looking down at the river, usually full of rainbow or cutthroat trout. After a few minutes of flying around, he descended a bit and then dove quickly, straight into the water and disappeared. A few seconds later, he emerged victorious, holding a large fish in his talons. Hint: if you arrive early enough, drive east out of town on Rt. 47, bring a loaf of bread, and head down the hill that you'll be running up from miles 17 to 20. At the base of the hill the road bends left. At this point, you'll see an Orvis campground on the right side. Opposite that is a viewing platform next to the river where you can see the fish. If you wad up a slice of bread into a ball and fling it out, you'll be amazed at the size of the fish that grab it. And, don't pass on the chance to visit Yellowstone, only an hour away. The race begins in and stretches through 17 miles of Caribou-Targhee National Forest, home to the likes of black and grizzly bears, mountain lions, elk, deer, coyote, bald eagles, ospreys, big horn sheep, mountain goats, red fox, river otters, bobcats, moose, and mink. I saw a duck. We runners make too much noise, I guess. So, don't get your hopes up, although one of the aid station volunteers said there were a few wolves running around on Thursday. The last nine miles feature, besides the three-mile climb, up and down farmland of hay, potatoes, wheat and barley. Knowing that the barley, which makes up most of the harvest, gets shipped down the rail line - via a transfer from the mammoth, gleaming elevators in town - to the Budweiser plant in Idaho Falls might make the final stretch a bit easier. What will also make it easier is if you don't fall - as I did - on the four mile stretch of gorgeous trail through pine forests with the Warm River 300 feet below, scenery that can be distracting as much as it is beautiful. Compared to the rocks and roots of the Pike's Peak trail, this one is fairly tame, but be careful. And, even though I fell, I left with a good feeling and a desire to return.
B. C. from Baker City, Oregon (8/26/2018) "Superbly Organized Marathon" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This marathon truly goes the extra mile to be so accommodating to the runner. Amazing volunteers, aid stations, handling gear (toss it at any of the infinite aid stations), top quality busing, milkshakes, great connection with half marathon start, and on and on. Some may comment this year on the lack of a view due to the forest fire smoke. I find that it just accentuates the beauty of the people helping out to make this a quality experience. I loved the course, but the hill (only 300 feet, really?) from Mile 17 to Mile 20 really challenges any notion of a BQ for those of us that are always on the margin and striving for that particular accomplishment. Just know that despite this being a downhill run, it is still quite the challenge.
Mark Shields from Mesa, Arizona (10/25/2016) "Has to be the most beautiful marathon in America" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It's been almost two months since I ran this race, and I still think about it pretty much every day. This is my favorite race I've ever run, even above Boston. It was in the 30s at the start. I was worried about the elevation, coming from Arizona, but the advantage I had of training in 100 degree weather (did I just call that an advantage?) helped neutralize the elevation. A few miles in, a guy in front of me takes a selfie. I look to the left to see what he was capturing in the picture, and sun is coming up over the Tetons! How do you beat that? The first 9.5 or so miles are on a dirt road with forests and meadows all around, and it's just gorgeous. Then it hits the highway for just a mile or so before you go right past the overlook for Lower Mesa Falls. Again, just gorgeous. Right about half way, you hit a serious downhill (major fun), go off the highway, go under the highway, and then hit a beautiful trail for another three or so miles. This was my favorite part of the race. Wildlife is all around. There's a beautiful river off to your left. The trail is exciting and invigorating. Back on the highway at mile 17, things get difficult. This was the first time I felt the elevation. It's a steady climb for three miles. I took plenty of walk breaks and noticed that the three people in sight in front of me were not gaining on me. I was gaining on them. Then at mile 20, the climb is over, and you head into rolling farmland. To me, this was beautiful as well. My plan was to stay conservative for the first 20 and then unload at mile 20. It worked perfectly on this course. I never saw the three people who were ahead of me on the hill after that. In mile 23, I got the thrill of a lifetime. I heard two sets of footsteps behind me. As they go past, it's none other than Ryan and Sara Hall. As in, the fastest American marathoner and half marathoner of all time and his collegiate all-American wife. 'Oh, hi guys!' I had forgotten they were there to run the half. I can now say that I ran a marathon where I wasn't passed by the fastest American in history until mile 23. It's the truth; just not the whole truth. :) Coming into town was great. I ran my guts out and managed my first negative split ever, even with the steady climb from mile 17 to mile 20. It all came together as an awesome and very emotional experience. Wouldn't trade it for anything. The finish line festivities in the park were wonderful. Best watermelon I've ever had, and it could not have been more perfect. Of all the races I've run, this is the one I most want to go back to. Several spots on this course gave me some of my best experiences I've ever had in the wonderful sport of running. This is the perfect place to run for enjoyment and take in some of God's most beautiful creations at the same time.
N. S. from Colorado (10/2/2016) "Reinvigorated my love of running" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 There were 7 of us that came up from Colorado and ran the various races (10k, half and full). We were all in agreement in what a wonderful race and town this was. It started with arriving in town to the outdoor packet pickup on the main drag (moved inside after school let out). Five of us stayed in town and found the farm-community atmosphere to be quite charming. The shakes at 511 were amazing and the new management continued the tradition of supplying free Huckleberry shakes to all participants. But the best part was the race itself. It was such a beautiful course with a nice variety of terrain. There was an ATV road just after the half-way point that was stunning. I can't think of any complaints or suggestions except that the medal was fairly small (half dollar) and etched on a lightweight wood. But even that held a certain charm. The shirts were great - a wearable color with no advertisements. There was nothing else to buy that had the logo of the race on it such as a hat, pint glasses, etc. and that was a shame, but not a deal breaker. The pasta dinner at the high school with Ryan and Sara Hall speaking was so great and they spent time after signing autographs, posing for pictures and answering endless questions. Good job, Ashton!
L. S. from Fallston, MD (9/12/2015) "Cute little town! Beautiful country!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love small town races that have big personalities! Easy drive from Idaho Falls airport. No red lights or fast food restaurants in town was a refreshing change. Ashton is a beautiful area even with plenty to see and do. The skies were smokey from the western wild fires so I can only imagine how beautiful they would be on a clear day. Mesa Falls, Cave Falls, and West Yellowstone were stunning. The local restaurants (5 and Main, Big Juds, and Ashton Inn) each had their own personality. The local gas station/grocery store featured ice cream flavors from local creameries that were out of this world! I recommend Campfire Crunch and Mother Load. Of course the Huckleberry ice cream and shakes from 5 and Main were outstanding and refreshing. The course was organized and each water stop was well stocked! The post race food was top notch. They had everything you could possibly want. The only suggestion I have is to have a volunteer direct runners to the path from the road to the ATV trail that goes under the road through the pipe. It was a little confusing especially since the port-o-pots were well beyond that hair pin turn. I stayed at the Rankin Motel and that's where I will stay when I return. The lazy boy recliner was a nice touch. Cant remember the last time I kicked back and watched TV in one of those! (I am a mom of 4!)
B. S. from Florida (8/26/2014) "Great event despite unfortunate weather" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Please refer to the comments from BH of Salt Lake City concerning the 2011 run; all those observations still hold true (except that we had very unusual cold and rain for the 2014 run). Having run several marathons of all sizes in multiple countries I can only say that the Mesa Falls Marathon is now my favorite (despite the cold rain and muddy sections). No one controls the weather, but what makes this one a stand-out is the Race Director and the volunteers TOP NOTCH!! There are local motels that make walking to the start, dinner, packet pick-up, finish all very convenient. There is an overwhelming sense of family and pride in this event. Do not miss it, if you are out west or doing 50.
Bob Kroeger from Cincinnati (8/25/2014) "Marvelous scenery" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 As I was told, this was the first time the trail was wet, which made the first nine miles highly enjoyable - a soft cinder surface that I would love to train on. Dodging the occasional puddle was fun. I liked the cold rain, too, which cooled me off - started around mile 10 for me. Gosh, the Mesa Falls looked like Niagara Falls. What a sight! However the three miles on the old railway line, muddied from the rain, became challenging. So, in effect this was my first mud run. My white shoes turned brown but, after washing them in my post-race ice bath, they returned to white. After the hill, which really wasn't too bad, I loved the sight of the golden fields of wheat, which stretched for miles. A highly scenic marathon and great temps, which ranged from about 50 to 60. The t-shirt was an orange long sleeve tech without any ads on the back. I will wear it and wish other marathon directors would take notes. Really, do sponsors care if they're on the back? Stayed in the wonderful Eagle Peak Lodge, a short walk to the start and even shorter after the finish. Good job, Dave and crew!
D. M. from Ogden, UT (8/24/2014) "Beautiful point to point course" (about: 2014) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Naturally, the prominent comment will be how beautiful the course was - very true. The town of Ashton is a very nice venue, too - make sure you eat dinner and lunch at the 5-11 Pizza and Soda Shop. It will be the one furnishing the huckleberry shakes - the pizza is great and the service is warm and friendly. I ate my pre-race dinner there and was not disappointed. The course starts on finely crushed gravel - a perfect running surface. It transitions to a highway (still, scenic and lightly traveled) and past Lower Mesa Falls. The Falls are beautiful and worth stopping for a few seconds (and returning later.) At the half marathon staging area, you transition to a 2-track trail that follows the river - absolutely beautiful. It did rain in 2014, making this trail a muddy river unto itself, however. From the trail, you exit to the highway again - mile 17 - and for three miles slog uphill. Then, rolling hills until mile 24, after which the course to the finish is flat. The last six miles are through farm country and while it may look uninteresting on a map, it was actually very beautiful in its own, different way. Stay at the Angler's Motel - perfect location. And again, eat at the 5-11 Pizza and Soda Shop - GREAT pizza. Two very small recommendations. Upgrade the medal - light wood, machine engraved, and feels cheap when handed to you. The bigger issue is not protecting the drop bags. The mesh potato sacks were fun; however, it rained (hard) and my only warm top was soaked. Great race, and great choice for Idaho.

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