Choosing Your Distance at the Malad Valley Marathon: 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, Half, or Full

We offer five distances on race morning so the whole town can run. Picking the right one depends on what you have trained for, how long you want to be out there, and what you want to feel like Sunday morning. Here is what to expect from each.

The 1 Mile Fun Run

This is the community lap. No chip, no bib, no clock, no podium. Show up, line up at the back, run the loop through downtown and the park, finish under the same banner as the marathoners. Strollers welcome. Costumes welcome. Kids running their first race ever and grinning the whole way welcome.

Train for it by walking or jogging two or three times in the week before. Run it with someone you love. Walk it if you want to walk it. The 1 Mile is the easiest, friendliest race you will ever start, and a lot of long-time marathoners say it is the favorite thing they do all year.

The 5K

A 5K is 3.1 miles. The Malad Valley 5K loops out from the park, through a section of quiet downtown streets, along a stretch of country road with the valley opening to the north, and back. The course is flat with one small rise around mile 2.

Who it is for. Anyone who can run twenty to thirty minutes nonstop or walk forty-five. New runners doing their first race. Marathon parents who want to run with their kids on race weekend. Anyone looking for a fast time on a flat course.

Training. Six to eight weeks at three runs per week. Start with run-walk if you are new. Add a longer easy run on weekends building to four miles. One faster workout per week of intervals or a tempo run. Race goals range from 18 minutes (high school cross country fast) to 45 minutes (steady jog or walk-run).

Time on feet. Most finishers come in between 25 and 45 minutes. You will be back at your car by 9 AM.

The 10K

A 10K is 6.2 miles. Twice the distance of a 5K with about three times the respect required. The course follows a longer loop through the valley, rolls past ranchland and along an irrigation canal, climbs a gentle rise around mile 4, and finishes at the park.

Who it is for. Runners with a 5K under their belt looking for the next step up. Half marathoners using the 10K as a tuneup or a recovery race. Anyone who likes running an hour but does not want to commit to a full half.

Training. Eight to twelve weeks at three to four runs per week. Long run building to seven miles. One workout per week. Race goals range from 36 minutes (very fast) to 75 minutes (comfortable steady).

Time on feet. Most finishers come in between 45 minutes and 1:15. You will be at the park well before the awards ceremony.

The Half Marathon

A half marathon is 13.1 miles. The Malad Valley Half rolls north out of town along quiet country roads, passes through ranchland with the Bannock Range to the east, climbs a long gentle grade around mile 8, and returns to the park along the river. The course gains about 400 feet over the first 8 miles and loses most of it in the back half. Four aid stations along the loop, roughly every 2 to 3 miles, with water, electrolyte, and porta-potties at each.

Who it is for. Runners with a base of 20 to 25 miles per week. Marathoners using the half as a tuneup. Anyone looking for the most rewarding endurance distance there is. The half is the sweet spot. Long enough to feel like an event, short enough to recover by midweek.

Training. Twelve to sixteen weeks at four runs per week. Long run building to 11 or 12 miles. One workout per week. See our twelve-week half marathon plan for the full schedule.

Time on feet. Most finishers come in between 1:30 and 2:45. You will be drinking coffee at the diner by lunch.

The Full Marathon

A marathon is 26.2 miles. The Malad Valley Full extends the half marathon course with an out-and-back along the valley floor. The full gains about 600 feet over the first 13 miles and gives most of it back in the second. The back half rolls with a couple of small climbs around mile 18 and 22. Four aid stations along the loop (eight visits over the two-lap full), roughly every 2 to 3 miles, with water, electrolyte, gels, and porta-potties at each.

Who it is for. Runners with a base of 30 to 40 miles per week. People who want to spend a morning chasing the long view. First-time marathoners ready for a friendly, low-pressure debut. Veterans hunting a quiet course where they can run their own race.

Training. Sixteen to twenty weeks at four to five runs per week. Long run building to 20 or 22 miles. Two workouts per week in the build. One tempo plus one progression long run.

Time on feet. Most finishers come in between 3:30 and 6:00. The course closes at 3 PM, giving everyone seven hours. You will be tired Saturday night, sore Sunday, and proud all week.

How to pick

If you have run before and have a recent long run that is at least half the race distance, that distance is in reach. If you are new to running, start with the 1 Mile or the 5K and build from there. If you are between distances, the half is almost always the right call.

Whatever you pick, we will see you September 12 at the start. One gun, all distances, the whole town running together. Register here.