50 States Marathon Challenge: Why the Malad Valley Marathon Is the Idaho Run for You
Running a marathon in every state? Idaho is one of the trickier states to check off. Here is why the Malad Valley Marathon is the right pick for state collectors.
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Run Where Idaho Begins
Five distances. One small town. Ninety minutes north of Salt Lake City, half the entry fee of a city marathon, and the best small-town finish line you'll run all year.
The Start Line Is Waiting For You
Mass start · September 12, 2026 · 8:00 am
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It's race day! Good luck out there.
The Malad Valley loop
One loop. Four ways to run it.
The marathon, half, 10K, and 5K all share this same scenic valley loop: half soft dirt, half quiet pavement, framed by mountains on every side. The full marathon runs the loop twice, the half runs it once, and the 5K and 10K do out-and-backs along it.
Press play below to drive the course at runner's-eye level.
Street-level tour of the actual marathon and half marathon. Soft packed dirt, quiet country roads, mountain walls on every horizon.
- Half dirt, half pavement. Soft on the joints, fast on the watch.
- Mountain walls on every horizon. Bannock Range to the east, Sublett Range to the west.
- Wide valley views of barley fields, hay meadows, grazing horses, and big Idaho sky.
- Quiet country roads. Almost zero traffic, real silence, real fresh air.
- Crisp early-fall air at 4,500′ elevation. PR conditions for most runners.
Coming from out of town? Learn about Malad & lodging →
5
Distances
1 mi · 5K · 10K · Half · Full
4,500'
Elevation
Mile-high mountain air
Sep 12
2026 Race Day
Always the 2nd Saturday of September
1864
Malad Founded
One of Idaho's oldest towns
Pick your distance
Five ways to run the valley
From a one-mile family fun run to a full 26.2-mile marathon, the Malad Valley has a starting line for everyone.
Family
1 Mile Fun Run
$25 $20
A flat downtown loop perfect for kids, families, and first-time finishers.
View distance →Beginner
5K
$35 $30
An out-and-back loop on quiet residential streets through historic Malad.
View distance →Intermediate
10K
$50 $45
A rolling loop heading north out of town with sweeping valley views.
View distance →Popular
Half Marathon
$70 $60
Climb out of Malad, ride the ridgeline, and descend to the finish line in town.
View distance →Marathon
Full Marathon
$90 $80
26.2 miles of fast valley roads through the heart of the Malad Valley.
View distance →The Course
Wide skies. Quiet roads. Real elevation.
Every distance starts and finishes at Malad City Park, 20 S 100 W. The course rolls north along the valley floor, framed by the Bannock Range to the east and the Sublett Range to the west. About half of every mile is on hard-packed dirt: gentler on knees, hips, and feet than a full road marathon. Aid stations roughly every 2–3 miles stocked with GU and water, first-aid kits on hand, and chip timing on the 5K, 10K, Half, and Full.
- Aid roughly every 2–3 miles
- Chip timing on 5K, 10K, Half, and Full
- Finisher medals + tech tee
About Malad
Where Idaho begins.
Founded in 1864 by Welsh pioneers, Malad City sits in a high mountain valley just nine miles from the Idaho-Utah border. With more residents of Welsh descent per capita than any town outside Wales, Malad is a community of singers, story-tellers, ranchers, and runners.
Toe the line in Malad.
Race entry includes a finisher medal, Malad Valley Marathon t-shirt, full aid stations, and chip timing on the 5K, 10K, Half, and Full.
From the Blog
Race day stories & training tips
How the Malad Valley Marathon Stays One of the Most Affordable Marathons in the Country
A full marathon for under $100, a 5K for the price of a movie ticket, and discounts that stack. Here is exactly what entry costs at the Malad Valley Marathon and what you get for it.
All Marathons in Idaho 2026: A Runner’s Guide to the Gem State’s Calendar
A roundup of marathons in Idaho for 2026, organized by month, with notes on what each race offers and which one is right for you.