Saturday, September 11, 2027, at Malad City Park, 20 S 100 W, Malad City, Idaho. The second annual Malad Valley Marathon offers a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run, all from one 8:00 AM start. Malad sits on I-15 about 13 miles north of the Utah line, 45 minutes from Logan, 50 from Pocatello and 90 from the Salt Lake City airport.

Ask our 2026 runners what stood out and the course tops the list. The half marathon runs one valley loop and the full runs it twice. You climb out of town on hard-packed dirt that's kind to your legs and roll past barley fields, hay meadows and grazing horses, with the Bannock Range to the east and the Sublett Range to the west. Then comes a long descent home on quiet paved farm roads. The 10K and 5K are paved out-and-backs along the same loop. Everything sits at about 4,500 feet, and race morning is usually cool, in the 40s to 50s at the gun.

Now the value. We think this is the best, most affordable, and most fun rural marathon you'll run, and here's why. Early Bird pricing runs through February 15, 2027: $70 full, $50 half, $40 10K, $25 5K and $15 for the mile. That full marathon price is about $30 under the typical early price at the 22 regional and rural marathons we checked. Our price windows go Early Bird, Early, Kinda Early, Cutting It Close and Last Call, and the full climbs just $5 at each step, so even our Last Call full ($90) beats or matches the final price at all 20 of those marathons that publish one. That $90 still sits $10 under their typical early price.

Every 5K through full marathon entry includes a custom finisher medal, a custom bib with chip timing, live results and live tracking, finish-line food and free race photos within 48 hours. You also get a Malad Valley Marathon shirt when you register and pay by August 21, 2027 (a race hat after that), five aid stations stocked with water, electrolytes and snacks, a porta-potty at every station (10K, half and full), and on-course first aid. After our first race we posted more than 1,800 free photos the very next day. So go ahead and jump at the finish line. Our photographers will be ready.

Want it even cheaper? On our website, skip the shirt or hat for $10 off (your medal stays included) and register with at least one friend for 5% off the whole group. That brings the Early Bird full to $57 and the half to $38. Entries are final. Want flexibility? Register on our website and add optional Refund Protection (5K through full).

Race morning is easy. Packet pickup runs 6:00 to 7:45 AM at the park, parking is a short walk from the start, and every distance gets the full 7 hours, so you can take your time. The top three overall in each timed distance take home awards, and your crew gets the City Park playground, pickleball courts and disc golf course while you run. Make a weekend of it: Downata Hot Springs is about 20 minutes north and Lava Hot Springs about 35, perfect for a post-race soak.

All 11 runner reviews on our site are five stars. "Well organized and also free photos included with your registration fee!" wrote Craig H. (Half Marathon, 2026). Bobbi S. (Half Marathon, 2026) added: "Loved the course around the beautiful fields and a 360 degree view of mountains."

In 2027 our race falls on September 11. We'll come together in remembrance of the lives lost on 9/11, with gratitude for those who serve and for the communities that carry us forward. Bring your own reason to run.

You'll want to be on this start line. Early Bird ends February 15. Save your spot: maladvalleymarathon.com/register [https://maladvalleymarathon.com/register/]

Full race info, course maps and photos: maladvalleymarathon.com [https://maladvalleymarathon.com/]