Race Info

Everything you need to know about race day in Malad City, Idaho.

Race day

Date Saturday, September 12, 2026 (always the second Saturday of September)
Start times 8:00 AM Mountain · mass start, all distances
Lineup order at the start: Full Marathon up front, then Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, with the 1 Mile fun-run runners and families at the back.
Course cutoff 3:00 PM Mountain · 7-hour cutoff from the gun. All runners need to be across the finish line by 3:00 PM. After that, aid stations close and timing wraps up.
Start & finish Malad City Park, 20 S 100 W, Malad City, Idaho 83252 (start of the greenbelt)
Packet pickup Friday before race day · 4:00–8:00 PM at Malad City Park
Race-morning pickup available 6:30–7:30 AM
Cut-off 7 hours · all distances must finish by 3:00 PM

What is included

  • Custom finisher medal for every Half Marathon and Full Marathon finisher
  • Malad Valley Marathon t-shirt (every paid entry, all distances)
  • Custom race bib with chip timing on the 5K, 10K, Half, and Full
  • 4 aid stations roughly every 2–3 miles with water, electrolyte, and gels, plus a porta-potty at every aid station (Half & Full)
  • Free race photos within 48 hours
  • Live results & live tracking the moment you cross the mat

Awards

The 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon are chip-timed and award the top 3 men and top 3 women in each of three categories per distance:

  • Overall — fastest 3 men and 3 women
  • Under 18 — fastest 3 boys and 3 girls under 18
  • 40 & Over — fastest 3 men and 3 women aged 40 and up

Win more than one and you keep more than one — an Under-18 runner who also places in the Overall keeps both medals. Up to 18 award medals per distance, all hand-finished with the Malad Valley Marathon mark.

The 1 Mile Fun Run is an untimed community lap. Run with the kids, run with your dog, run in a costume — no chip, no bib, no clock. Show up and run.

Travel & lodging

Malad City sits 13 miles north of the Idaho/Utah border on I-15, 45 minutes north of Logan, Utah, 50 minutes south of Pocatello, and 90 minutes north of Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). The Malad Motel and Village Inn Motel offer rooms in town; nearby Tremonton, UT has additional chain hotels 30 minutes south.

Weather

Race morning in the Malad Valley typically sees lows in the low-40s°F at sunrise (~7:00 AM), still in the mid-40s°F at the 8:00 AM gun, climbing into the 60s°F through mid-morning and afternoon highs in the low-70s°F. Bring a throwaway layer for the start; the shorter distances finish before the day really warms up, the longer distances will want a hat and sunscreen by the back half.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Malad Valley Marathon?
The Malad Valley Marathon is held the second Saturday of September every year. The 2026 race is the inaugural running, on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Every distance shares a single 8:00 AM Mountain Time mass start at Malad City Park, 20 S 100 W. Line up by distance: the Full Marathon up front, then the Half Marathon, then the 10K, then the 5K, with the 1 Mile fun-run runners and families at the back.
Is there a course cutoff time?
Yes. The course has a 7-hour cutoff. All runners need to be across the finish line by 3:00 PM Mountain Time. After that, aid stations close and timing wraps up. If you think you will need more time, contact the race director before race day and we will work something out.
Where is Malad City, Idaho?
Malad City sits in southeast Idaho, about 13 miles north of the Utah border on Interstate 15. It is roughly 45 minutes north of Logan, Utah, 50 minutes south of Pocatello, and 90 minutes north of Salt Lake City International Airport.
What distances does the race offer?
Five distances: a Full Marathon (26.2 miles), Half Marathon (13.1 miles), 10K, 5K, and a 1 Mile community fun run. The 5K, 10K, Half, and Full are chip timed. The 1 Mile is an untimed community lap, just show up and run.
Is the course flat or hilly?
The valley course rolls gently. There is one climb out of town on the Half and Full, with a long net descent back to the finish. About half of every mile runs on hard-packed dirt road, which is gentler on knees and hips than pure pavement. Course elevation is roughly 4,500 feet, so plan a little extra time if you are coming from sea level.
What is included with race entry?
Every entry includes a Malad Valley Marathon t-shirt, a finisher medal (Half and Full only for medals), chip timing on the 5K through Full, aid stations every 2 to 3 miles stocked with GU energy gel packets and water, on-course first aid, finish-line food, and free race photos posted to the Gallery within 48 hours of race day.
Are there awards?
Yes. Each chip-timed distance (5K, 10K, Half, Full) awards the top 3 men and top 3 women in three categories: Overall, Under 18, and 40 & Over. A runner who places in more than one category keeps every award they earn, with no displacement. Awards are posted live on race day at the operator console.
Can I register on race day?
Yes, race-day registration is available at packet pickup the morning of the race, but it costs more than registering online in advance. We recommend registering online to lock in the lowest tier price.
Where do I park and pick up my packet?
Parking and packet pickup are at Malad City Park, 20 S 100 W, within walking distance of the start and finish line. There is no bag check, so bags stay in your vehicle. Detailed maps and times are posted on this page the week of the race.
Where should I stay the night before the race?
Malad has a small selection of motels, plus several Airbnb rentals in town and on nearby ranches. Logan, Utah (35 minutes south) and Pocatello, Idaho (90 minutes north) both offer more lodging if Malad fills up.
Is there a refund or transfer policy?
Entries are non-refundable but transferable to another runner up to one week before race day. Contact the race director through the contact form to arrange a transfer.