Runners and Organizers Prepare for the 26th Annual Pocatello Marathon

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Pocatello Marathon is just around the corner in the Gate City, with participants picking up their swag bags and T-shirts this afternoon at the ICCU Fieldhouse. This year's race marks the first under new race director Mary Stenquist, who took over the role from her father and is excited to continue the legacy of the marathon.

For a quarter-century, the Pocatello Marathon has brought runners from all over the U.S. and internationally. The 2026 race currently has over 800 runners signed-up, but Stenquist says the number continues to grow as they accept same-day sign-ups.

"We have multiple different events, we have the full marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, we also have a kids' one mile and a .2," said Mary Stenquist, Race Director. "It's been fun to see it change and grow over the years."

With multiple different race lengths, the event both draws out and accomodates for all levels of runners. Some participants are running their first race ever, with others hoping to qualify at the race for the Boston Marathon.

"I love being able to show people our awesome community. We have people from over 40 states and three different countries represented this year," said Stenquist. "It's cool to see the variety of different people and be able to share our little slice of Pocatello heaven that we have here."

Stenquist said runners enjoy the scenic views along the route of the Pocatello Marathon as the first half of the marathon is along a narrow canyon road. The full marathon course begins at Camelback Mountain and follows Buckskin Road.

All the races finish at Ross Park where vendors, volunteers and supporters will be waiting to welcome the finishers. The racers are hoping to beat the heat with an early start on Saturday morning, with the full marathon beginning at 6:15 a.m. and the half-marathon at 8 a.m.

"Our slogan has always been 'small town with big race flair," said Stenquist. "We try to incorporate some nice swag items for runners and bring in all the vendors, we'd like to just make it really awesome for our runners."

The event comes together each year thanks to sponsors like title sponsor Bingham Healthcare and a fleet of local volunteers from various organizations and Idaho State University. Stenquist said the team is incredibly thankful for the local businesses that chip in for fundraising to make the event memorable and professional each year.

There are multiple aid stations along the course for runners that will be manned by dozens of volunteers. At the finish line, booths like the ISU Physical Therapy program will offer services to runners.

"We're offering post-race massages tomorrow," said Alex Lacroix, PT student at ISU. "So after you're done with any length of race, you can come check-in right by the finish line. We'll try to get that fluid moving so hopefully the lactic acid doesn't build up and we'll get the blood flowing again."

Some runners, like Marijke Johnson, are locals from Pocatello running the marathon in their hometown.

"I've been a runner my whole life so I thought it would be a really cool opportunity to run a marathon in my hometown and do something that I love," Johnson said.

Johnson said she's been training for about six months and has woken up early all summer to beat the heat on her runs. "I'm excited to have it done and have all my hard work pay off," she said.

The hill past Century High School brings some nerves for participants, who anxiously call it a "brutal" part of the course. However, the runners walking in to grab their shirts today were all smiles and anticipation for the big day tomorrow.

"I think a marathon sounds intimidating, but I genuinely believe that anyone can do a marathon," said Johnson. "I think if you put in the work and the time and effort, you can do hard things. You might be slow, but a marathon is a marathon."

For more information about the various races and a spectator guide, visit pocatellomarathon.com.