May 14, 2024
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☰
Ogden Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Ogden Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.8 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 157 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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P. P. from Logan, UT
(5/23/2005)
 "run this one for the course!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Ogden Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was my 2nd time running Ogden, and I've thoroughly enjoyed both experiences. Here's the rundown from my perspective: Bad experiences: Some of the organization is still lacking. Having to write my number myself with a Sharpie on my clothing bag makes me kind of nervous. Had to grab my own water from one aid station near the end of the race; volunteers were just standing there looking at me. Two of us were well on our way towards a wrong turn before the volunteers 'woke up' and waved us in the right direction. And on that note, some course markings seemed to be lacking. Other than those few instances (which I think is actually from lack of training), the volunteers were wonderful, friendly, and encouraging, so hope I don't come off too harsh. Good experiences: Love the course. Eight miles of gentle descent, followed by nine miles of rolling, followed by nine more miles of descent lead to a psychologically and physically easy course without excessive battering. Scenery is beautiful. LOVE the shaded paved park trail coming into Ogden, worlds better than running on streets. Drummers at finish were great too. I think this course compliments the Top of Utah course well, and I would encourage Ogden/TOU as a spring/fall marathon double. A note on the relay: A lot of people seem to not like the relay runners, but I think it actually adds to the race. I ended up running behind or with a lot of relay runners, and they definitely helped me when there were no marathoners around. Competition in 2005 was much better than in previous years, probably b/c they give $$$ now. If you want a great spring marathon with a sweet course, and don't care much about crowd support or some of the other amenities of a large urban marathon, run Ogden! | |
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L. S. from Boise, Idaho
(5/23/2005)
 "Well organized race on a great course!" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Ogden Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a really scenic course and everything was well organized from the buses to the aid stations and traffic control. The volunteers were super, and though there weren't many spectators, they were encouraging. Altitude is a factor - the start is at 5400'. I normally train at 2800' and the thin air plus the ascent at mile 14 kicked my butt... or maybe I just need to train harder. Anyway it was a great event and they had a good band at the finish. The course wasn't crowded with runners. Yes, there is a marathon relay, and you will get passed by some of those runners -- but you will also pass some of them, which is a pretty good mental boost! Give this race a shot if you like good weather, great scenery, good race organization and an un-crowded course. | |
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G. L. from Laramie, WY
(5/22/2005)
"Fantastic course and great support." (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ogden Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I loved this marathon. The start was chilly but the sun was shining and the sky was brilliant blue. After a nice, long, slightly-gentle downhill section, the view opened up so we could see the snowcapped mountains. After rolling hills, we entered Ogden Canyon and were treated to another beautiful section of running with the white-water river. Overall, it was great. Not my fastest, but one of my favorites. | |
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Sue Oldroyd from Salt Lake City, Utah
(5/22/2005)
"Best overall marathon - most scenic" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Ogden Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 TONS of POTTIES! More on this course than I saw on the course for BOSTON! Love the scenery; the course has it all - run with gorgeous mountains in the foreground, around a beautiful lake, over a dam, and alongside waterfalls, with horses on the neighboring farms pacing you along the way. LOVE IT! | |
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K. L. from American Fork, Utah
(5/22/2005)
 "course was beautiful but organization was terrible" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Ogden Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon and was without a doubt the worst organized. I did however think that the course was very beautiful but if you don't like a lot of descents you might want to choose a different marathon. There is only one major ascent - at about mile 14. The descent coming out of Ogden Canyon (about mile 18-23) was hard on my quads. There are a lot of places for spectators to cheer you on. It would take a lot to get me to run this marathon again. | |
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C. K. from WY
(4/26/2005)
"one half out of town, one half in town..." (about: 2003)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Ogden Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is sort of like two races in one. The first half is by rushing waters, surrounded by high cliffs and canyon walls, in a pastoral setting, in the chill of the morning. Then, the second half is mostly back closer to town, through rural areas turning suburban, the chill being banished by the Utah sun...OK basic Italian restaurant on the main street there (25th St?)...good race...I liked it. | |
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T. W. from Ogden, Utah
(9/3/2004)
 "Can't beat the course!" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Ogden Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The Ogden marathon has the potential to become a destination marathon simply because of the wonderful course. The gentle downhill lends itself to a fairly fast, relatively easy course. I was disappointed in the awards. No money was spent to reward overall winners. The overall male received the same shirt certificate as did any one of the age group placers. I placed third overall and got more for my efforts a few weeks later for placing third in a local 5K race. That is definitely not my motivation for running a marathon (how dumb would that be?), but where's the love?! | |
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D. E. from Pleasant View, Utah
(6/24/2004)
"Excellent rural marathon!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Ogden Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The course is wonderful and those who choose to run the marathon are especially friendly. Well-organized for its size. Plenty of Powerade at each of the aid stations, which are well-placed and easy to anticipate. The volunteers are wonderful. It's mostly a gentle down or flat course. There's one hill at about mile 14 that's about a half-mile long, and one sharp downhill as you drop down past the spillway of the dam, but other than that it's pretty easy. The scenery is splendid. Dress for inclement weather; you can expect some along the way. This year there was some rain and hail. Last year it was wind. I think it just adds to the experience. | |
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J. H. from so idaho
(6/14/2004)
"Race organization needs a lot of work" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ogden Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Organization seemed intent on garnishing sponsor dollars rather than pampering the marathoner. Also did not like the relay marathon on the same course. Start and finish areas deficient of what runners need. Not enough potties at start or on the course. I WON'T waste my time and money on this marathon next year. | |
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D. M. from Phoenix, Arizona
(6/12/2004)
"Outstandingly beautiful and peaceful" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Ogden Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I ran this race because of the favorable reviews I read at this site, and I can confirm that this is an exceptionally nice and relatively easy (well, you still have to run 26.2 miles) marathon. For the first 18 miles you run through Ogden Valley, a rural area with campgrounds, horse farms, a big reservoir lake, and two small towns; around the valley are snow-capped mountains. Mile 18 through 22.5 covers scenic Ogden Canyon, which is even prettier (with a waterfall at the end!). The last few miles are on a bike path next to a creek (though I think they call it a river) and finally down a pleasant street to a park in the middle of town. The course starts at 5200 feet and finishes at 4300. There are a few gradual uphill sections, but nothing steep. This year the weather was somewhat unpleasant -- it varied between mist, drizzle, and light hail, with occasional periods of calm. You can't fault the race officials for the weather, though -- every marathon has bad weather days (just look at this year's Boston!). |
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