City of Trees Marathon

Race Week Details!

LET'S GO!!!

Please let us know if your questions is not answered!!! Email jonathan@cityoftreesmarathon.org or jamie@solekids.org or use the Contact Page on this website.

 

Q: Where, when and how do I pick up my bib and shirt?

A. We will have 4 opportunities to grab your swag before race day!!! PLEASE do not wait until the last minute, as it causes a lot of stress...on you! We do not offer race day packet pickup unless there are dire circumstances or your are an out-of-town runner.

 

Packet Pickup days:

• Tuesday, October 7 @ TBD
• Wednesday, October 8 @ TBD
• Thursday, October 9 @ Shu's Idaho Running Company 3.00pm - 6.00pm 
• Friday, October 10 @ Payette Brewing 12.00pm - 8.00pm

 

Q: Where do I park on race day?

A: There is free parking just about everywhere. Please plan on arriving 45 minutes to 1 hour in advance of your race time in order to ease any frustrations with traffic and parking availability.

 

Q: Where is Payette Brewing?

A: 733 S. Pioneer St., Boise, ID 83702. MAP LINK

 

Q: Where and when do I pick up my bib and shirt on race day?

A: Please know we do not offer race day packet pickup unless it's an extreme circumstance or for out-of-town runners. In that case, we're happy to accommodate. Just email jamie@solekids.org and let her know.

 

Q: Where, when, and how do I check my gear? (1/2 and Full Marathon Only)

A: Gear check is available under the big blue registration tent. Our volunteers will have tape & markers for you to label your bag with your bib #. PLEASE do not put any valuables in the bags!

 

Q: What time should I arrive at the race site? (Please note that we recommend being early to avoid parking and/or typical race morning confusions and therefore a min. of 45 min prior to race start.)

A: Marathon - 7.15 a.m. 
B: Half Marathon - 7.45 a.m.
C: 10K - 8.15 a.m. 
B. 5K - 8.15 a.m.

 

Q: Where are the start lines?

A: The Start & Finish line for ALL race distances will be under the red & white Shu's Idaho Running Company arch in the parking lot of Payette Brewing.

 

Q: When do the races start?

A: Please memorize these start times:

• Full Marathon - 8:00 a.m.
• Half Marathon - 8.30 a.m.
• 10K - 9.00 a.m.
• 5K - 9.00 a.m.

Note: Sunrise is expected around 7:55 a.m. so marathon runners might need a headlamp at the parking and start. The ambient light from the sunrise along the Greenbelt should be spectacular as you race along the river!

 

Q: How will the courses be marked?

A: The courses will be well marked with Blue, Red, Yellow & PINK SoleKIDs flags(flag colors correspond with distances & bib colors) and Mile Markers every mile. In addition, key turns for all courses will be marked with cones so runners can easily navigate the course. We will have many monitors on the course. 

 

Q: Where are the Aid Stations?

A: Full and Half Marathon - 12 Aid Stations (Porta Potties will be at each aid station in addition to the normal Parks and Rec facilities.)
A: 10k - 2 aid stations (Roughly miles: 1.5, 4.5)
A: 5k - 1 aid station (Roughly miles: 1.5)

 

Q: Where are the toilets?

A: Full and Half Marathon - Start and Finish and approximately every 2 miles (with one except around Mile 4) along the course.
A: 10K - Start, Mile 3 / Finish
A. 5K - Start / Finish

 

Q: Where is first aid?

A: Course monitors will have first aid kits, emergency contact information and will be on the course with even more direct access to emergency medical help. In case you see someone on the course who needs urgent medical attention, call 911, stop to assist the individual if they are not already being assisted, tell fellow runners to immediately contact a course monitor or police officer and stay with the individual until help arrives. Saving a life is more important than finishing a race.

 

Q: Will you have a timing mat at the start (chip start)?

A: YES!!! The timing company will have timing mats at the start/finish line for the 5K, 10K, Half  & Full Marathon. In keeping with USATF standards, the half-marathon awards will be based on GUN TIME. If you are a competitive runner, please start close to the front if you are competing for an award in the Overall division. The TOP 3 finishers M/F/NB for the marathon, half-marathon, 10K and 5K will receive an award.

 

Q: When will you post results?

A: The timing company will post live results, so you'll be able to see your UNOFFCIAL finish time almost immediately on your smartphone. Official results will take longer to process and post, since the timer will need to resolve various issues which are bound to crop up.... we think that's how it's supposed to happen.

 

Q: Where and when are the Awards Ceremonies?

A: 5K, 10K & Half Marathon awards will be at 10:00am. Full Marathon awards will be at 10:30 a.m. Ceremonies will take place near the Start/Finish...listen for the announcements!

 

Q: Is the City of Trees a Boston Qualifier?

A: No. With the uncertainty of Greenbelt construction and the time it takes, nope. Our goal is to move this race back to a road race, once we work that direction, we'll start the BQ process again.

 

Q: Can I run with a baby jogger, or can I walk with a stroller?

A: Absolutely! We pride ourselves in family friendly events but please be mindful of how you may negatively impact other runners. No different than the folks who run 4-wide and block the route.. or the walker that gets in the front of the start.. or the dog walker with the 20 ft long leash.. etc. Just be kind out there.

Q: Can I run with ear buds?

A: While we wouldn't, to each their own and we're here to support you. We adhere to normal Greenbelt rules and there is no rule pertaining to ear buds. Please be careful of bicycles that zip along as they are moving fast. Also, the thought of enforcing that rule is gross as we don't touch ear buds. 

 

Q: Can I run with my dog?

A: Absolutely! But please keep your pet under control at all times and make sure they get enough hydration along the route. We'll put out some water bowls at the aid stations but please, please, please clean up after your pet. See the above disclaimer with strollers as the same applies to you.

 

Q: Who are the race directors of this event?

A: Glad you asked. SoleKIDs, INC. is a 501c3 qualified public charity that began in the Spring of 2017 by Jamie and Jonathan Stevens. Since SoleKIDs' inception they have hosted numerous 5K events, fun runs for schools and community fundraisers. Some highlights include helping raise more the 25K dollars for local area schools in the Boise, West Ada and Nampa School Districts. In Spring 2020, SoleKIDs received an award for being Idaho's top non-profit. In the Fall of 2021, SoleKIDs raised 10K dollars to help the fight against children's cancer. SoleKIDs founders are great believers in giving back to the community and that healthier communities are better communities. In Fall of 2021, the Ulmer family gave us their blessing to continue on the legacy of the COT races. This past year, we are pleased to announce that we had 4 more amazing folks join our Race Director Team: Denise Peterson, Chelsy Bittick, Katie Callen and Ian Pellerin(Wooderson)!!!  They have been a tremendous asset to our team!! When you see them, feel free to let them know how amazing they are!!!

 

Q: Who WERE the race directors of this event?

Lastly, (This used to be up top but folks got confused witht the 2002 year... so I'm moving it down here.) we'd LOVE to thank Blue Circle Sports and the Ulmer clan for allowing us to continue the City of Trees races. The Ulmer's ran this race for 20 years and maintained a home town Boise feel to a world class event. In 2021 and with much dismay, the Ulmer's decided to no longer produce events. In October 2021, we reached out to them and asked if we could continue on this wonderful race which has become a Boise tradition. We are super appreciative of them and honored to create a new chapter in the story of the City of Trees Marathon and we hope to do them proud. We know we will not be able to initially "fill their shoes" and we apologize for that. However, it is our goal to celebrate the history, create a new chapter and continue the same family first organizational feel to all COT races as we continue on.