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May 18, 2024

Top of Utah Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.6

Organization 4.8

Spectators 4.0

Number of comments: 136 [displaying comments 91 to 101]

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 8 9 10 11 12 .. 14 > ]

Kathy Fecteau from Hyde Park, Utah (2/16/2005) "A dream of mine came true with your help!" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Thanks for the great race. The running club is a great support to me. Whenever I had a question, someone always happily answered my call. Such great people with encouragement that has helped me continue to run and become better. Thank you.
P. F. from Arizona (12/15/2004) "Great course and beautiful scenery!" (about: 2003) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I would recommend this as a first marathon - it was a great time, and if the weather is good, this is the perfect marathon!
Ken Anderson from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (11/4/2004) "1st Marathon was Unforgettable" (about: 2004) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I travelled to Logan from Ontario, Canada to run my first marathon for three reasons. 1 - The area is beautiful. 2 - I wanted a smaller event for my first Marathon run. 3 - Previous comments on this site. I was not disappointed. Like many others the heat and wind along with the first 2/3 of the run downhill combined to make the last few miles an adventure in discomfort and willpower. I met my goal of 4:30 but was well ahead of it after 20 miles. The last 10 Km were difficult. The people, the area, and the course were great. I will return sometime, perhaps in 9 yrs to run a marathon at age 70. (My long-term goal!)
j. t. from New Mexico (10/27/2004) "Great race, but distance accuracy a concern!" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first year running the TOU Marathon and the course was as expected - fast for the first 16 miles or so and then fairly flat. Yes, it was a lot warmer than expected and I saw a lot of suffering the last 8 miles as a result, more so than other marathons. Everything was well organized, and the wind was a help for some of the latter part of the race. My big concern on this race was the accuracy of the actual distance. I ran with my usually trustworthy GPS system along with my brother, and both of us found it strange that the distances recorded for the race were 26.69 miles vs. 26.2. I was right on pace the entire race to run my 3:50 but ended in 3:54. I contacted the race director to see if the course may have been mismarked, and he indicated that he thought it was a little long as well, and that the USTA may have done this to ensure the race ended at the park (they only have to guarantee that is is AT LEAST 26.2, but OK to go over). If that's the case, that's an extra half mile!! Because I actually was careful to cut corners in the canyon I thought I actually might come out a little short of 26.2 distance wise, but that clearly was not the case. So, I can live with this but if I had missed qualifying for Boston by 4 minutes or less, this would be very disconcerting.
N. P. from Cairo, NE (10/19/2004) "If you stop, be ready for pain..." (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Don't stop to use the toilet after mile 18, if you do you'll regret it and will be awarded much pain. The race was well organized from the start to the finish, although with the heat they could have started a little earlier. The wind wasn't much of a problem, but coming from Nebraska I'm used to a heavy headwind. This was my first marathon and didn't prepare with my long runs like I should have, only going 14 miles at best. However, being an experienced runner I was shooting for 3 hour pace and was well within my goal range until mile 18, when I had to stop to use the toilet. Because of the long downhill experience my entire right leg tightened up and I had to do the run/shuffle/walk for the final 8 miles. The first 18 miles took 2 hours, and the last 8 miles took 1 hour and 30 minutes and was possibly the most painful experience of my life. Although I'm sure I would have tightened up eventually, stopping to use the toilet accelerated the pain. Overall a good experience. Pre- and post-race events were fun. Beautiful scenery. Cute girls. What more could you ask for?? Except maybe being able to walk the next week!!
Julie Lombard from Bend, OR (10/16/2004) "A tailwind... who could ask for more?" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon. I woke up all night to wind howling... scared the crap out of me! Ahh, a headwind! But it turned out to be a tailwind (until the last mile or so). It was warm, but heck, you trained all summer! Let's be constructive: Well organized for sure (I parked at the park). The running through town was a bit dismal after running through a most beautiful canyon. This is my first so I've little to compare it to (give me another few weeks). 14 miles of descents, no wonder my quads were streaming! I thought is was because I never run on pavement. I was 4 minutes slower than my goal. It's a little comforting to know not everyone ran their fastest. I hit the wall at 23 and frankly don't remember much after that. I do recall the snacks being a bit lacking though. It was the same stuff as the aid stations. I was ready for something else.
J. S. from Lake Charles, Louisiana (10/7/2004) "Terrific Small Marathon" (about: 2004) 3 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Warmer than expected but not hot. There are a few hills after the very scenic and quiet downhill canyon run. Being a flatlander, the downhill front end didn't catch up to me until about mile 23. The crowd support was really impressive - much more than I expected for such a small race. Everyone was very friendly. Organizers did well with even the smallest details. Very enjoyable experience and my running buddies can't wait to try it themselves.
M. A. from Salina, Ut (10/4/2004) "Unable to run but appreciated the shirt" (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This year was my third try at TOU. Two years ago I pulled after catching the flu the night before the race. Ran last year under perfect conditions and had a great experience. This year I broke two ribs three weeks before the race and still seriously considered running but the doctor and my 'better half' talked better sense. I just want the committee to know how much I appreciated the T-shirts. I have pulled from other races before after a six month training period and $40-$60 entry fee and got nothing for the effort. The finisher's medals are great and I wish I could have earned them, but at least with a shirt, I feel like I got something for the effort. Keep up the good work. "I'll be back!!!"
s. z. from Irvine, CA (9/28/2004) "Could have been cooler..." (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The '04 race was affected by hot temperatures and high winds. The winds funneled up the canyon and got quite gusty. The canyon section of the race is quite scenic, though a steeper downhill than expected. Between the heat and downhill, I was cooked at 16 miles and shuffled back into Logan. Within Logan, the course is a bit of a maze. A bit discouraging to see the finish and then still have 2 miles left. For those who have done St. George, elevation is much more of a factor here. Skip the pasta feed and head up to Callaway's in Smithfield (about 10 miles north). Glad I went, but doubt I will be back.
P. N. from Austin, TX (9/28/2004) "Loved it!" (about: 2004) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 We knew it was going to be a tough race when the Weather Channel said it was 72F in the valley, at 4am! In spite of the heat and the wind, I really enjoyed this marathon experience. Great little expo, good pre-race dinner, well organized start, pleasant volunteers on the course with water and Gatorade every 2 miles, almost no cars for the first 15 miles, lovely scenery, accurate mile markers that you could see from a long ways away, friendly spectators, and medals and trophies that you can be proud to own and display: for us, this was the best organized marathon we've done so far. Next time we do this race, I hope Mother Nature will bless us all with somewhat cooler weather!

More Comments: [ < 1 .. 8 9 10 11 12 .. 14 > ]

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