Nov 5, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
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 31 to 41]
|
D. F. from Silvis, IL
(9/15/2006)
"Small in numbers, big on experience" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is surely a small-town run. If you are one that needs the massive crowds like they have in Chicago to get to the finish line, I would look elsewhere. If the friendliness of a small town and good views do the trick for you, this is the race for you. Extremely well origanized. Don't let the size fool you. It is first-class. If you're from an area with lower elevation, beware of the altitude; and the dirt road, trails, and hill from 17-20 are very challenging. Overall, good race. | |
|
B. B. from San Antonio, TX
(8/31/2006)
"Absolutely fantastic" (about: 2006)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This marathon is small but will exceed all expectations. Though it appears easy due to the overall drop in elevation, the ascent on miles 17-20 provides ample challenge for the best runners. The organizers go beyond their duties to ensure a great marathon experience from the first-place finisher to the back-of-the-packers! The course was absolutely beautiful - the changes in running surface were an unexpected bonus. Our stay at the Log Cabin Motel was very restful and quiet. The weather was also an added plus (as I was coming south from 100-degree weather). Though we had to wake up at 5 a.m., it was a great way to start the race amongst pine trees and the sunrise. Very rarely would I run a marathon twice, but this is one worth running multiple times. | |
|
C. S. from Springfield, Illinois, USA
(8/30/2006)
"A "must do" small marathon" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Hardly enough space available here to provide praise for all the people who volunteered to help on this race - from the race director, to the ladies who handed out packets, served dinner, and got up in the middle of the night to serve us breakfast. YOU'RE ALL THE BEST!!! First-class operation from start to finish. The course is exactly as described on the website. Pasta feed was plentiful and tasty. I'm recommending this to all marathon runners, whether 50-staters, or beginners. Be sure to pick up the huckleberry shake at the drug store after the race. | |
|
David Hurley from Roanoke, VA
(8/28/2006)
"Well organized marathon" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 It really takes a village to pull off a marathon as well as this one was done. First, we received a several-page update a few days before the marathon. The director and the volunteers should be praised for all their hard work. The townspeople were very friendly and made us feel right at home. The Ashton Inn gave us a discount without us even asking. They also asked us if we wanted a late checkout time. There were also signs around town welcoming us. The course was scenic most of the way. It reminded me a lot of Green River in WY and Grizzly in MT. In MT, there were solid covers placed over the cattle bars. Being from VA, I think the dry air and the elevation somewhat affected the way I felt during the marathon. The pasta dinner was fair. The breakfast was excellent and included a variety delicious homemade jams. The golf shirt style was a welcome change. I will wear it with pride. The bus driver on a real bus was very friendly and very wide awake so early in the morning. There were only a couple of disappointments. The first one is that there was not a clock that we could see our times as we crossed the finish line. I did not hear my time. After asking several people, I gave up. Of the 46 marathons that I have run, this had never happened. Since we had to leave immediately after the marathon, I still do not know my time since the times have not been posted online at this time. I am really surprised at this since Green River had posted times earlier today. The volunteers were so good; however, at the end of the marathon when I could hardly walk another step, I had to search for water. The two large drums were nearly empty. In fact some runners were leaning them over to drain out the last few drops. Finally, someone handed me a gallon of water that I opened. It would have meant so much to have had a volunteer hand a bottle of cold water to me as I crossed the finish line. I would have appreciated that more than a medal. To summarize, I was basically very pleased. I know that the director and the volunteers worked really hard. Thanks for providing us with an awesome running experience! | |
|
Terry Pescosolido from Columbus, OH
(9/1/2005)
"Wonderful marathon!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 28th marathon, and Idaho my 13th state in my quest to run the 50 states. This is a tremendously nice marathon. Organization is superb. Great polo for race shirt. Unique finishing medal. Town of Ashton turns out big to cheer the runners on. Met lots of other runners doing the 50 states. Course is simply beautiful. First ~7 miles on packed gravel through a forest. Then 6-7 downhill miles on the roads, including a short detour for a quick peek at Upper Mesa Falls. Then 2-3 level miles on a dirt trail through a park. Then ~3 tough uphill miles on the roads. Then 3-4 miles rolling hills (with more downhill than up). And the last 2-3 miles are flat as you finish in a park in Ashton. One small improvement would be to have a couple more water stops the last few miles. This race easily ranks in the top 5 of all the marathons I've done. Thanks again to race director Dave Jacobson, the race volunteers, and the town of Ashton. | |
|
Lou Budler from Villa Hills, Ky
(8/30/2005)
"FANTASTIC" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I have run half marathons all over the U.S. This race is NUMBER ONE!!!! The organization is great. One aspect that was unique was the polo shirt. | |
|
Jenn Smith from Hilliard, Ohio
(8/30/2005)
"My new favorite marathon" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Mesa Falls Marathon in Ashton, Idaho is by far the best marathoning experience I could have hoped for. The scenery was breathtaking (especially the wolf that could be seen at mile 3), and the course proved challenging yet rewarding. The casual spaghetti dinner the night before was a great place to meet new friends that would later help cheer you to the finish. This marathon is worth the trip out to Idaho! | |
|
G. S. from Hastings, Nebraska
(8/29/2005)
"One of the finest mountain runs" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The course is one of the most spectacular. It starts on a gravel US forest road in the forest and runs along small creeks with beaver dams. Heard wolves and coyotes howling in the early morning, then sand hill cranes calling as the sun came up. The course drops down into a beautiful campground at Warm River and then has a challenging climb for about 2.5 miles. The shirt is top-class with beautiful embroidery. The small community of Ashton was friendly and very supportive of runners. The Huckelberry shake given to finishers made the race worthwhile. For a beautiful and fun run that is not crowded (about 110 marathon runners and 200 half marathon runners), this is one of the best. Don't miss the dinner on Friday evening because it is a great place to meet other runners from all over. At the finish line, the drinks and food were terrific. I could not get enough homemade bread from Harvest Bakery. I will be running this one again and again. | |
|
M. R. from Huntsville, Utah
(10/7/2004)
"Way to go, Dave" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Mesa Falls Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I agree with all the good things that have been said about this run. Also, they had someone calling in runners' numbers about 1/4 mile from the finish so that your name could be announced when you crossed the finish line. Great idea. Thanks very much to the organization and the volunteers. | |
|
S. B. from Lee's Summit, MO
(8/31/2004)
"A Must Do Marathon!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What an awesome event. The weather, scenery and course support were awesome. The miles just rolled by as I enjoyed the spectacular views. The hill at miles 17-20 was a challenge, but what is a marathon without a challenge? Thanks to the RD and all the course volunteers for hosting a wonderful event. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
