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Apr 29, 2024

Ogden Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.8

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.7

Number of comments: 157 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 16 > ]

D. C. from Idaho (5/25/2011) "Most Excellent Race!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Ogden Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my seventh year to run Ogden I wouldn't keep coming back if it wasn't good. The course is spectacularly pretty, the organization is solid, the weather is nice, and the volunteers are extra special at the aid stations. This is not a race with many spectators as it is a rural course. However, the snow-capped mountains, rivers and streams, waterfalls, lakes, and trees make up for lack of spectators. The solitude (not counting the other 2,000 runners) is refreshing. What could be improved? An earlier start time (6:30 a.m.) would be nice. It's plenty light by then and it would help avoid the warmer temps later in the day. Also, the finish area is very congested and it's hard to move around. More space would be nice. Kudos to the team that puts on this great race. I plan to be back next year!
K. M. from Peoria, AZ (5/23/2011) "Beautiful course!" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ogden Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The course was great. The most beautiful I have ever run. The volunteers were great. I liked the shirt and medal. Enjoyed staying downtown. Could walk to everything you needed. Race started late due to problems getting the buses out of the way. Would like water every mile, 2+ is too far between for the early miles. Overall, great experience and would do again.
g. r. from Smyrna, GA (5/29/2010) "Highly Recommend..." (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ogden Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 As others have already expressed, this marathon is well executed. Its scenic and quite simply breathtaking. You can't really ask for a nicer course! As a 50 states member, this was my 38th state and 40th marathon. My only suggestion would be to dial back the time on the shuttle bus departures. I got on a 5:15 a.m. bus to the start and waited 1.5 hours before the start. Too much time, in my opinion. These buses could easily leave closer to 6 a.m. Otherwise, nothing but a great experience, and I would HIGHLY recommend this marathon (or half, for that matter). By the way, my favorite part was when the announcer called my name and mentioned my location. He even thanked me for coming to Ogden as I was crossing the finish line - very nice touch!
R. G. from Layton, Utah (5/27/2010) "No words to describe this beautiful course!" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 4-5 Ogden Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Having now done several marathons, I can say that no race has measured up to this gem. There cannot be a nicer course anywhere. Organization is excellent. Volunteers are the best - the cold sponges at mile 15 were pure genius! Great shirt. Great medal. What else can you say? The only inconvenience is the fairly long wait at the start - but that happens at any race. Every year this event sells out earlier and there is good reason for that. If you want to experience the fun in 2011, sign up before Christmas! You will not regret doing this one!!
D. C. from Idaho (5/21/2010) "Don't Run This Race" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Ogden Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Everything about this race is terrific, but it's getting harder and harder to get into the race. So, to make it easier on me, don't run this race. That leaves more spots for me! The course is totally stunning with snow-capped peaks, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and green pastures. The organization was excellent as usual. The volunteers at the aid stations were terrific. This is a rural marathon so there are not many spectators. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, was about the congestion in the park at the finish. Getting into and out of the amphitheater to retrieve my clothes bag took about 20 minutes. There are too few ways in and out of the area. This truly is one of the best marathons in the U.S.
S. W. from Idaho (5/21/2010) "Beautiful Course" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Ogden Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The positives were a beautiful course, a fast course, great weather, easy packet pickup, and frequent, well stocked aid stations. The biggest negative was the buses leaving (or at least scheduled to leave) 2 hours before race time. That left well over an hour for us to wait at the start line. It was OK this year, but if it had been really cold or raining, it would be a different story. The size is about right. Probably can't get many more people down the canyon safely. Spectators who were there were great. It's just not easy to get spectators up the canyon, so numbers were small. Overall, much more positive than negative. I will be back.
T. Z. from Idaho (5/18/2010) "First marathon, and a great experience!" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Ogden Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Beautiful course, and amazing volunteers who really took care of us!
Knud Hermansen from Boulder, CO (5/17/2010) "Spectacularly beautiful; downhill can get tough" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ogden Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Bottom Line: This is one of the most beautiful marathon courses that I have run (9 marathons so far). The volunteers are great. The largely downhill course is fun, but it is rather tough on the legs. Sign-up, website and pre-marathon: You will want to sign up for this marathon early as there are only 2,000 slots (2010). I signed up in January for the May 15 race and I was one of the last hundred to get in. The website is nice and thorough in its information for where to start, where the expo is, and how the race-day morning works. This race also does not seem to bombard you with as much pre-marathon spam as some others that I have run. Expo: The expo is part indoors at the Union Station and part outside. In 2010, we had Bart Yasso speak, so for me it was a winning expo. Decent number of Cliff bars, and ample ice cream and PowerAde-type samples to snack on. It would be nice to see some more clothes and shoes. Overall, though, a decent number of booths and stuff to look through for the size of the race. Start: The details on the website and booklet (that comes with the bib pick-up) were spot on. You cannot drive to the start of the marathon, and instead have to take the buses, which leave at 5:00. The loading area was well staffed and organized. The start was rather brisk but they had plenty of fire-barrels around which you could warm yourself and ample port-a-potties for the number of runners. Bag drop was convenient and efficient. Only thing I would do differently is wear a Goodwill top that I could just toss right at the finish. The air warms up plenty, but it was brisk standing at the starting line. Course and support: Easily one of the best courses that I have run. The course description on the website is spot on. The road for the first few miles is rather steadily downhill and follows the river. There is one half-mile hill as you round the crest of the reservoir, but it is really rather minor. The downhill after that is rather rough on your legs though. I did not realize how much I had beat them up with the first downhill section. As you leave the canyon, you run along a bike path for a few miles before running the last mile through the downtown. I never felt like I was running with traffic and there are ample shoulders to run on for the first few miles. Water and port-a-john stops: Water stops are about every two miles starting at mile 3. Port-a-johns are generally tied in with the water stops. They had PowerAde and water at the stops with GU and fruit (oranges and bananas) at some. Volunteers were excellent. Hotel and transportation: I stayed at the Motel 6, which was about 1.25 miles from the bus pick-up/finish. It was an easy walk, although you could easily have driven and used the free parking. Motel 6 was one over several very cheap (<$30) motels and was adequate, although I was glad that I brought my own oatmeal and dish for breakfast. Ogden and places to eat: Ogden is a great town. I checked out the Dinosaur Park (great place for kids) and the Railroad and Browing Museums (both at the Union Station). For places to eat I tried (and would recommend) the Peleton Café (right on the river) and the Rooster Brew-Pub.
T. S. from Salt Lake City, UT (6/13/2009) "Great Race" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Ogden Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is one of the best races I run all year. Incredible course and scenery. Great organization and volunteers. I agree that the water tasted funky, but luckily we had PowerAde at the aid stations to stay hydrated. I definitely recommend this race!
Kerri Haskins from New Hampshire (5/28/2009) "Great Destination Marathon" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Ogden Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I chose this race as part of the 50 states (Utah), and I loved it. The scenery, the town, the people, the volunteers, and the runners were great. I loved the course, from start to finish. And the free massage at the end was great. I got on a plane that afternoon to run the next day at the Colfax Marathon in Denver. I will probably travel again from New Hampshire to Utah next year to run it.

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