This weekend, Rexburg will continue its tradition where it remembers one of the most significant events in southeastern Idaho history: the collapse of the Teton Dam. In true community spirit, Rexburg and the surrounding area will commemorate the tragic 1976 disaster with the annual Teton Dam Marathon and a day full of festivities.
This long-standing tradition includes a series of races for all ages and fitness levels: a kids' race, 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon. One of the ways runners will honor and remember the collapse is starting their race at the dam site, a powerful reminder of the historical roots of the occasion. The races are always held on the first Saturday of June, marking the date the dam broke: Saturday, June 5, 1976.
When the Teton Dam broke, nearly 80 billion gallons of water were released into the Teton River Canyon. Within hours, a massive wall of water swept through the Upper Snake River Valley, hitting Rexburg with incredible force. Approximately 80% of the city was flooded, with water reaching depths of up to 8 feet in some areas.
This year's race is breaking records, with 1,200 participants registered, the highest number the event has ever seen.
Parker Anderson, races and events manager for the Rexburg Recreation Department, told BYU-Idaho Radio what makes the event so special for him.
“You just get to see a lot of rewarding faces as people finish,” Anderson said.
The kids' race begins at noon and is expected to be one of the highlights of the day. Anderson encouraged families to get involved.
“As many kids as we can get, that will just add to the atmosphere,” he said. “Bring your kids — that will be fun.”
Due to construction, this year’s route has been slightly adjusted. While the race will still begin at the dam site, it will now wind through scenic country roads in Wilford and Teton, skirting Sugar City to the east and meeting up with Barney Dairy Rd.
The finish line is located at Smith Park in Rexburg, where the celebration continues throughout the morning. Runners, spectators and community members can enjoy food trucks, a live DJ, prizes, mini golf and even a climbing wall.
“You don’t have to be registered to come and see it,” Anderson added. “You can come and watch if you’ve got a friend or just want to see people finish. It’s going to be a really fun time at Smith Park.”
Festivities begin early Saturday morning, with the first race starting at 6:30 a.m. at the dam site. You can find more information about the races on the Rexburg City website.