Sunday, May 2, 2027 · Boise, Idaho

Boise River
Marathon

26.2 net-downhill miles along the Boise River, from Lucky Peak to the finish in Boise — cottonwoods leafing out, snowmelt running high, wildflowers the whole way. Four distances, one riverside finish festival.

Choose your distance See the course RACE MORNING · MAY 2
MAY 2 race day 44°F at the start line 4 distances ~300 FT net downhill 6:30 course limit

The course

Follow the river
down to Boise

Early May in the Treasure Valley means the Boise River is running full with mountain snowmelt, the Greenbelt's cottonwoods are freshly leafed out, and the foothills have gone green for a few short weeks before summer. The marathon starts at Lucky Peak State Park and runs point-to-point along the river to the finish at 250 E Parkcenter Blvd, Boise — a gentle net descent of about 300 feet over 26.2 miles.

The route follows the paved and packed-gravel Greenbelt almost the entire way — largely car-free, well shaded, and never far from moving water. It's one of the fastest courses in the region, popular with runners chasing a Boston-qualifying time.

Because it's point-to-point, free shuttles run race morning from the Parkcenter Blvd finish out to the Lucky Peak start — park once, ride out, run home.

  • SurfacePaved & packed-gravel greenbelt
  • ProfileNet downhill · point-to-point
  • StartLucky Peak State Park
  • Finish250 E Parkcenter Blvd, Boise
  • Aid stationsEvery 2 miles
  • TimingChip timed · live tracking
  • Course limit6 hr 30 min
  • Typical weather44°F start · 66°F high

Map: Boise River Greenbelt. The marathon starts at Lucky Peak State Park, further upstream than this map shows, and follows the river and Greenbelt down to the finish at Parkcenter Park. Half, 10K & 5K start further down-course and share the same finish.

Registration

Pick your race

Early pricing ends October 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM MDT — every distance goes up after that. Register by April 1 to guarantee your race shirt.
Boise River MarathonBoise ID
26.2Marathon
START 7:00 AM WAVE SUNRISE
$60 thru Oct 31
Boise River MarathonBoise ID
13.1Half Marathon
START 7:30 AM WAVE MEADOW
$50 thru Oct 31
Boise River MarathonBoise ID
10K6.2 Miles
START 8:00 AM WAVE CURRENT
$45 thru Oct 31
Boise River MarathonBoise ID
5K3.1 Miles
START 8:15 AM WAVE BLOOM
$35 thru Oct 31
Pricing by registration date
DistanceThru Oct 31Nov 1 – Apr 1Apr 2 – Race week
Marathon$60$70$80
Half Marathon$50$60$70
10K$45$55$65
5K$35$45$55

Free distance transfers until April 1 · Deferral to 2028 available until March 15 · Virtual option open for any distance

Race weekend

Two days by the river

Saturday May 1

  • Packet pickup opens

    250 E Parkcenter Blvd, Boise — grab your bib, shirt, and race guide.

  • Course briefings

    The race directors walk through the route, shuttle logistics, and aid stations. Repeats at 2 and 4.

  • Shakeout run

    Easy 2 miles on the Greenbelt with local pacers. All paces welcome.

  • Packet pickup closes

    Can't make it? Race-morning pickup opens at 5:00 AM.

Sunday May 2

  • Shuttles depart

    Continuous loop from 250 E Parkcenter Blvd (finish & parking) out to the Lucky Peak start.

  • Last shuttle to the start

    Gear check closes at Lucky Peak shortly after.

  • Marathon start

    Sunrise over Lucky Peak, headlamps optional.

  • Half marathon start
  • 10K start
  • 5K start
  • Finish festival opens

    Food trucks, live music, and a beer garden at the Parkcenter Blvd finish.

  • Awards ceremony

    Overall and age-group awards for every distance.

  • Course closes

    6:30 after the marathon start. We'll be cheering to the last finisher.

Every entry includes

More than a bib

Race shirt

A Boise River Marathon shirt in this year's design. Guaranteed for everyone registered by April 1.

Finisher medal

A custom river-stone finisher medal for every finisher, every distance.

Chip timing

Live splits and finish alerts your family can follow from anywhere on the course — or from home.

Free race photos

Pro photographers at the start, mid-course, and the finish. Full-resolution downloads, no watermarks.

Aid every 2 miles

Water, electrolytes, and gels on course, staffed by Treasure Valley running clubs. Finish food and drink included.

Shuttle to the start

Free race-morning buses from the Parkcenter Blvd finish out to Lucky Peak — park once, no ride to arrange home.

Race gear

Great swag

2027 Official Race Shirt 3/4-sleeve raglan · this year's design

Every registered runner gets a finisher medal and this year's 3/4-sleeve race shirt, both waiting for you at packet pickup.

Medals are easy — we order plenty. Shirts are trickier, since we don't know sizes until people register. Register by April 1 to guarantee yours; after that we order extras but can't promise a size.

More BRM gear in this year's print

Hoodie
Tank
Cap
Fanny pack

Ask at the merch table at packet pickup or the finish festival to pick up extra pieces in this year's print.

Questions

Before you toe the line

How do I get to the start line?

Point-to-point courses need a lift. Park for free at 250 E Parkcenter Blvd, Boise (the finish), then catch one of the continuous shuttles out to the Lucky Peak start — buses run 5:00–6:15 AM. No need to arrange a ride back; you'll run there.

Can I switch distances after I register?

Yes — transfers between distances are free until April 1. If you move to a shorter distance we'll refund the difference; moving up just costs the difference at your original pricing tier.

What's the refund and deferral policy?

Entries are non-refundable, but you can defer to the 2028 race for free until March 15, or transfer your bib to another runner until April 1.

Are headphones, strollers, or dogs allowed?

Headphones are fine — keep one ear open, since the Greenbelt stays open to the public. Strollers are welcome in the 5K. Dogs love the Greenbelt but have to sit this one out.

What if the weather turns?

We run rain or shine — early May in Boise usually means a crisp mid-40s start warming into the mid-60s by early afternoon, with a chance of a passing spring shower. Only a safety emergency (lightning, high water on the Greenbelt) delays or shortens the course, and we'll email and text every runner directly if plans change.