(Ran in '02). Course was quite scenic, with very little to spoil it; overall downhill, with biggest drops in first 6 miles and mi 17-22. I thought neither downhill segment chewed up my legs. Biggest cause of disappointment was the bike trail. Shade was good, but surface was uneven, path was winding, and there was a cruel uphill just before mi 24. A sign promised this hill's elimination in 2003. Some vehicles were let onto a supposedly closed-to-traffic portion. Course info could have been a little more detailed by mentioning more race features/amenities... the basic FAQ-type stuff. Glad I picked up my packet the night before, as it looked chaotic and sparsely staffed during race-morning pickup. Closed course and limited access limit crowds. Personally, I'll take fewer crowds if it means a safer course in a scenic, remote area. Those who did make it there were moderately enthusiastic. Decent post-race food selection that included ice-cream bars and OJ. Aid-station volunteers could've been thin in spots if a crowd went by... I had no problems and, overall, vols worked their tails off with a smile. Host hotel was reasonable (under $70) for a nice suite, location across street from finish line, and happy-hour and race-morning food/drinks. Several other nearby lodging options, including ones under $45. Seemed many people were from the area/region and drove up race morning.

I thought this was a beautiful course and scenery, I hope this year that Ogden can get more spectators out there on the roads!!! One problem was that the racing bibs were not well marked, it was tough to tell who was running the marathon or the relays out there. I think they need to make sure that the bibs are clearly marked so spectators can tell who is who out there. The road was shut off coming down the canyon which was nice, also only the one very small uphill between miles 14-15.

Beautiful scenery. Great run for veteran or first timer. Aid stations were well placed. I plan to run this marathon every year. I have run almost 50 marathons and this is one of the best for course layout.

Since I only ran the 5k, I can only imagine how cold it was for the marathoners who started an hour before me over 20 miles up the canyon. It was a little brisk at the start but once we got running, I was shedding layers. Being a native to the area, I have always appreciated the beauty of the ogden canyons and the valley. Although the pre-race organization was a little overwhelmed such that participants started helping, I felt it was a great success for an inagural event. The only problem was lack of spectators, in that there were none until the finish, I can imagine how lonely it was for the marathoners on their 26.2 mile quest never seeing any one except at the water stops. Overall great time, and next year I'll be running the marathon so I won't have to imagine.

First year race.

As such there were a few glitches. Mostly pre-race stuff (at least that I noticed). They mailed bibs-I didn't receive mine so I had to get an alternate. (ironically I live about 1.5 miles from the organizers office) A friend of mine was put in the wrong age group. Little nit picky things mostly. They put this thing together in about 4 months. They didn't have the necessary permits until end of December or first of January.

Given those factors, I thought they did a good job. The course was great. Point to point course, run through a beautiful rural area. Total elevation drop of about 900'. Down a canyon, around Pineview Reservoir then down Ogden Canyon and through the Ogden River Parkway trail and into town. Only one significant uphill and it was at about mile 14-15. And it isn't bad. Sorta rolling before that, but only a couple - none significant. Most of the elevation drop is in Ogden Canyon over about 6 miles. Good spectator participation in the first 15-20 miles.
People in yards cheering you on, one guy was playing accordion music for us-somebody said it was the Rocky theme - I didn't really pay that close attention to it. After the halfway point there was a family waiting for a runner that was playing Eye of the Tiger on a boom box or car stereo.

Course has the potential to be pretty fast. Men's winner ran a 2:41 Womens a 2:58. Most of the top runners in the area were at other events. Utah had 2 place in the top 10 at Pittsburgh, both with the potential to lower that time.

Once on Washington Blvd near the end the spectator participation is not as good until you get about a 1/2 mile from the end then it gets better.

About 350 runners for the full, 70+ teams for the relay & a couple hundred or so for a 5k. Food, aid stations, more than adequate buses were done great. I would do it again.

My only complaint (and this is really nit picking) is I would have liked to see a couple more aid stations in later miles. From mile 20 on there were only 3 (not including finish) 13 total and that included the finish.

I ran a 38 minute PR on this course on training that was less than for Top of Utah last year. My biggest week was only about 38 miles.