My training in the hills around Salt Lake, UT was perfect for the 1000' elevation gain in the first 5 miles. Only 76 marathon runners. That's why I came in 3rd overall, as a 50-year ]pold. The landscape is awesome. The staff of helpers was great. It's just a nice place to run. Lots of destination runners too, from all around the country. I'm planning for it next year. Thanks CALICO.

This was the most challenging marathon I have ever done! I should have known to be concerned when we did not got the elevation information until a week before the marathon. All in all, the organization and the people that volunteered were awesome! Can't ask for a better group of folks! I would not do this one again. If you like plenty of hills, this one's for you.

In addendum to my previous comment, the race director posted the results and will indeed mail out awards (as I did win one). Very nice. I would run this very challenging race again.

Very well supported during the race with, great volunteers. This course was very hilly and tough for this Illinois flatlander. Very beautiful scenery - much better than any city race. Course was well marked. Too bad there was not a lot of food left for the marathoners after the race. Shirts were okay, and medals were nice also. Packet pick up was a bit of a mess, and confusing, but this is the race's first year; I think with time the bugs will get worked out. Race director worked diligently to make things work out. Hopefully next year she will have more help and not seem so spread thin.

My biggest disappointment, however, per the website: Age-group awards were to be given out at the finish (and with only 90-some participants for the first time, I thought I actually had a shot). I asked the race director how many in my age group in inquiry as to my standing.... She told me she didn't know how many were in my age group and wouldn't know until results were posted. My plane left that night and the website said no awards would be mailed... a little disappointing. Oh well.

All in all, a nice race for a first time; a challenging, beautiful and well-marked course; and great volunteers.

I ran the half-marathon course with five friends and we knew that it would be a grueling event since the Red Rock loop is full of hills. In preparation for this, we trained at Red Rock several times and were ready for the various elevations we'd encounter. The organizers did a terrific job for their inaugural race. There were ample water and aid statons and more importantly, the mile markers were accurate according to my Garmin. There were no spectators to speak of except the people at the water stations, but they were all very encouraging and supportive. Overall, the Red Rock Canyon event, which was my seventh half-marathon, was a unique experience and one that will stand out for its hometown feel and the challenging, but ultimately satisfying and beautiful, race course.

It's just a really hard course because of the hills and the wind. I usually run under 4 hours, but finished this one in just under 5. It is a beautiful course though. The land surrounding the road is all protected, which is why the spectators consisted mainly of the 9 or 10 aid stations.

I was disappointed that some runners left trash on the course. We had to sign a waiver stating we would not touch the endangered desert tortoise if we came across one, but I would also suggest a "leave no trace" waiver.

I'm happy to have done this marathon, and I enjoyed talking with some of the other runners. You have to be a little insane to attempt this marathon, which means there's an opportunity to talk to some really interesting runners.

The course was very beautiful, but I don't think there was one stretch of flat land. It was pretty tough, but a great training run.
Fluid stations were ample and traffic control was great. The entire route was coned off. For being a fairly small event, I thought it was well organized. There weren't many spectators, but those that were out there were great.
Give me a few days to get over the pain and I'd run this race again. Nice technical shirts and nice medals. I saw one of the awards and it was very nice and unique.