Jackass Half voted tops in the state

KELLOGG — The Jackass Half Marathon was recently named the Best Half Marathon in Idaho, according to RaceRaves, an online race review website.

Races were chosen based on reviews from the runners who have visited the website.

The Jackass Half beat out several races from across the state, including the upcoming Coeur d’Alene Half Marathon, which finished as the runner-up. 

Within their review, RaceRaves highlighted the beauty of the race course, organization, the time of year the race is run, the cost of registration and the fun medals and swag. 

“If the race-day equivalent of a group hug sounds appealing, you’re sure to embrace Jackass,” wrote RaceRaves. 

Kelton Enich, a founding member of the race, was honored to hear that the Jackass is so highly regarded among runners, even though it’s still a relatively new race. 

“I think back to December of 2019 when we came up with the idea to hold a small half marathon in the Silver Valley ... and can't believe how far the race has come since then,” Enich said. “We have gathered such an enthusiastic and amazing community of runners over the last four years, and they really came out to support us in this vote.” 

The Silver Valley Chamber hosts and promotes the race, and is already planning on the 2024 race to sell out.

The exclusivity is another key to the Jackass’s popularity. 

“We anticipate selling out for the fifth year in a row, but this time with 650 runners instead of 600,” Enich said. “We opened registration at the beginning of February and already have 350 people signed up from all over the country.”

Roughly 70% of last year’s runners came from outside the Silver Valley, including many from the Coeur d’Alene/Spokane area, but it also attracted runners from Montana, Utah, New York, Minnesota, Alaska, Wisconsin, Maryland, Arkansas and Canada.

“It really is incredible to see how much of a reputation our race has made for itself and how far people travel to experience the magic of the Silver Valley,” Enich said. “I am so proud of our small committee for making this dream a reality over the last five years. It's because of this committee and the light-spiritedness that this race really shines and probably the reason it won this award.”

The race has steadily grown over the years, but Enich and the committee believe that they are finding their sweet spot, which, according to Enich, preserves the “small-town charm” that keeps people coming back year after year. 

“If we were to make our race much larger, like the Cd'A Half or the Missoula Half, we would sacrifice the charm that so many of our runners have fallen in love with,” she said. 

Registration for the 2024 Jackass Half Marathon is open, and there are only a few spaces left for both the half marathon and 5K events. 

The race will be Oct. 5, and the committee is looking for additional event sponsors and volunteers. 

To register or volunteer, visit raceroster.com and search Jackass.