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Apr 29, 2024

Utah Valley Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Utah Valley Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.5

Organization 4.3

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 64 [displaying comments 21 to 31]

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J. L. from Columbus, Ohio (6/16/2013) "Tougher than advertised" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Utah Valley Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I picked this race mostly to visit an ex-boss in SLC and was hoping that the 'fast, easy' course would offset the altitude which my home in Ohio doesn't have. It didn't happen; this course was net downhill alright but also contained several inclines that were long although not really steep. The veterans talked about a breeze from around 7 to 20 but it didn't materialize on this sunny, above average temperature day. Heard locals' talking about a screw-up on the porta-john delivery so it seemed like that problem was accidental and not poor design. A significant portion of the course was a wide divided highway with half of it reserved for runners so you really have to be disciplined about the taper or you'll run 26.6 like I did (or more). I switched my reservation late to the Marriott near the finish upon discovering that the host hotel advertised as near the start was not only NOT near the start but there was also no return transportation to it post-race. There is a metro-rail but I didn't attempt to figure out if it would be possible to manage this trip without a rental car. The Expo was pretty good (and convenient to the Marriott). I don't generally choose point-to-point races but the bus transportation to the (three miles past the middle of nowhere) start was plentiful and well organized. Not a lot of crowd support until you got down into the Valley near the end. There were more water stops toward the end but I was glad I carried extra. Nice shirt, solid medal and the views were nice but there are gobs of marathons in Utah and while this one wasn't bad, I came away nonplussed and feeling like I might have found a better one had I looked harder.
N. B. from St. Louis, MO (6/13/2013) "breathtaking scenery for 20 miles" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Utah Valley Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Favorite parts: being driven up the mountain in the dark waiting under the stars by the bonfires before the start frequent, well-staffed water stops oranges at 3-4 stops! not just bananas! finishing Challenges: waking up for the 3 AM bus every incline altitude (I live close to sea level) *last six miles (true of every marathon) Suggestions: Post map at expo with bus pick-up place clearly marked Supply every water stop with course map & amenities clearly marked (e.g. vaseline, oranges, porta-potties) Other: The PR bell is a great idea. I didn't see it at the end of the course, but I didn't PR either. Expo was small but nice. People were wonderful. Kudos to Hyrum Oaks and all of his volunteers!
C. D. from Georgia (6/12/2013) "Great Organization" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 OK, so no porta potties but the race organizers sent an apology email and the company will not be used again. The expo was nice for a small run, packet pickup was easy, course was challenging but the uphills were welcome with the downhill grades for most miles. The Marriott was a great host hotel, they shuttled the half marathoners to their buses before the start, this saved runners from driving and leaving a car, full marathoners only had to cross the street for their buses, special pasta dinner the night before,great job all the way around Marriott. If you are a 50 stater and need Utah I recommend this run.
D. S. from Vernal, UT (6/10/2013) "Porta Pottie Misery" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Utah Valley Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 Negitives: 1. Lack of Porta Potties. As luck would have it, this was one of only 3 of my 15 marathons completed where I had serious GI issues- starting about mile 5. At each aid station I was told there would be porta potties in 2 more miles. Finally at mile 12.5 there was a construction site with 1 porta pottie and had to wait in line 20 minuted to use it, only to find out that the half start was only a half mile further with ample facilities. Oh well, I got my slowest time ever but just took it easy and tried to enjoy the rest of the course. 2. The bag pick up at the end. Our clothing bags were just out in the open on the edge of the street with no apparent supervision and anyone could come off the street and grab a bag. My cell phone and wallet was in my bag and I found the lack of security there completely unacceptable. Positives: 1. A very scenic course. 2. Really cool tech tee-shirt.
E. P. from Littleton, CO (6/9/2013) "Pretty but NOT as easy as Advertised" (about: 2013) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Utah Valley Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I live in Littleton, CO so I am pretty accustomed to hills and definitely the altitude. This course is advertised as 'downhill' and 'fast' and I beg to differ. This was my 2nd marathon; my first was the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon (which is another net downhill BQ course). Milwaukee was hands-down MUCH better than UVM. While there is quite a bit of downhill, the uphill comes in long stretches (from mile 7.5-9.5 is a long stretch to keep a pace with a grade). I don't like how the course is advertised as 'pretty much all down hill'. It's not. If you look at the scale on the altitude graph it goes up by 500ft (when usually graphs go up by about 50ft). If you take it and actually stretch it vertically, you would see the altitude changes are much more drastic than it appears. While the course was definitely pretty, I would take a run in Denver over this in a heart-beat. Even with my disappointment in the course, the organization was phenomenal. The aide stations were plentiful and the volunteers were exceptional. I really liked how there was a banner at mile 19 that said 'conquer the wall'- that was a very cute touch. I guess I wouldn't have been as upset with the uphills if I had known to prepare for them more. Obviously, living in Denver I have plenty of hills around me, but after looking at reviews and the course profile, I stuck to mostly flat training and even downhill training to get the right muscles in shape. I could have read the chart better, however this was the first time I've seen that happen. If you are a serious runner and trying to BQ there are much better/faster courses that offer just as nice scenery. I HIGHLY recommend doing the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon. It is just as small with the same organization (or better if possible), with more spectators and a MUCH faster course.
M. W. from layton ut (6/8/2013) "NO Portable Bathrooms." (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Utah Valley Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 Here is the info on the 'portable bathrooms' straight from the events email.' Portable bathrooms will be located at the start, finish, and every two miles along the full and half-marathon course (beginning at mile 3 for the marathon)'. There were only portable bathrooms at the start and half point. Please don't charge premium $$ for a sub par event.
A. B. from Boston area, MA (10/8/2012) "Great destination marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Utah Valley Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I am a Marathon Maniac and ran this marathon because it was a reunion for our group- I had a wonderful visit to Utah and spent a few days sightseeing, and highly recommend the marathon as a part of a vacation- However, I was disappointed with the actual race- What was tough for me: -altitude challenging for someone like me who lives at sea level -running on a concrete highway (rumble strips and all) with a 30+mph headwind with car emissions emanating next to me was not fun -start area has lots of bonfires to keep us warm but there was no way to avoid the smoke and it was tough to inhale so much smoke before the race (plus the terrain was grass and mud) -it was tough for me to get my bag to the baggage truck due its placement; they had to get a 2nd truck b/c the first one filled to capacity -most of the food/beverages gone by the time I finished (just under 6 hours) On the bright side: -treated the Marathon Maniacs like kings and queens; thank you!!! -gorgeous scenery! -Marriott staff did the best they could during the renovation to help direct us and help us -nice expo -helpful pre-race information I wish I could say I loved this marathon- I did love the Maniacs reunion though!! I'm doing the 50 states so won't run another marathon in Utah but if I did I think I'd look at other ones.
D. C. from Idaho (6/20/2012) "Solid Event" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Utah Valley Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course is totally stunning. Mountains, waterfalls, streams and rivers, lakes, snow on the mountain, lots of downhill, some significant uphill. The organization is flawless and the volunteers at the aid stations are terrific. There are quite a few spectators in the last six miles but not many good spectating spots before that. My only suggestion for improvement would be to completely shut down traffic by the runners during the section down Provo Canyon. Even though the running lane is sectioned off very well, it's a bit distracting to have cars on the same road. Great event, great course! I'll be back again.
M. P. from Oak Harbor, Washington (6/13/2012) "Great destination race!" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Utah Valley Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Well organized event and beautiful course. Fantastic volunteers from start to finish. Few if any spectators along the marathon route. However, the large crowd alongside the finishing chute had great energy and were very supportive. Well worth the drive from Seattle!
T. D. from Utah (6/12/2012) "Otter Pops at Mile 23" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Utah Valley Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Otter pops at mile 23. Cold, sweet and so great. Nothing else needs to be said: great marathon.

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