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May 3, 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 31 to 41]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 14 > ]

K. H. from Idaho Falls, ID (9/22/2009) "Excellent course and great organization!" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was only my second marathon, but running it was sheer joy! The organization was great, the rest stops were well stocked, and the canyon was beautiful! The people of Logan were awesome to come out in such great numbers to cheer us once in town. Thanks for a great experience!
C. K. from Anderson, SC, USA (9/21/2009) "Beautiful Course, Superb Organization!!!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Excellent organization - kudos to the race director and staff of volunteers for how they handled this event. I stepped out of the shuttle bus at the start, and the stars were amazing! The run down the canyon was awesome - with the beautiful mountains, fall leaves, and river following along the course, it was a beautiful run. The downhill really makes for some fast running - there are some hills near the end, but for me it was a welcome break even though I could not run the same pace (but probably could not anyway by that time). There was plenty of course support. I'm glad there were no spectators in the canyon - I really didn't need them at that point - but plenty met us when we exited the canyon, and there were folks out in the neighborhoods cheering us on the rest of the way. Logan is a beautiful city, and a great location for side trips too.
P. M. from Eagle, Idaho (9/21/2009) "This race was exceptional" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I just ran the TOU Marathon and had a fantastic time. This was my third marathon and I would do this one again. I did not rate the course 5 stars only because there was so many turns on the last miles of the race that it tended to take the momentum out of the run, and coming down the canyon we kept getting scooted over for traffic to get through because a permit was not obtained to have the road closed. Otherwise I would give this course a 4.9. The canyon run was breathtaking (no pun intended). Even after getting out of the canyon, there was still quite a fair amount of downhill running. I love that the top five in each age group received a moose trophy. Whoever made the trophies, kudos to you. I wish the shirts were as cool as the ones I saw others wearing from the years before - the moose logo just seemed to be missing this year.
J. P. from Salt Lake City, UT (9/21/2009) "Great Race" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Wow! What a great marathon - deserving of all of the praise by other posters. I do have a few minor complaints (see below), but I should start with the positives since they far outweigh the negatives. First, the course is breathtaking (figuratively speaking, although that might be literal for some runners coming from sea level). It's also quite fast. The first half is downhill, but the key is that it's all a very gentle grade so your legs don't get too beat up. The second half is almost pancake-flat. I wasn't as bothered by the twists and turns at the end as some other posters, but I suppose the course would be even faster with a straight shot. The organization is also superb. I wish other cold-weather marathons with a crack-of-dawn start would put up a warming tent with propane heaters. It was really nice. The glow sticks and bottles of hand sanitizer around the portable toilets were also great. And as others have noted, the large runners-only area at the finish is an excellent idea. Post-race food was good (especially the ice cream) and I enjoyed the live music. I was surprised at how many fans there were on the second half of the course, given that Logan is a fairly small college town. Not the most vocal, but still pretty good support. The volunteers at the aid stations (which were all well stocked and well organized) were phenomenal. As for my admittedly minor gripes: 1. There were only two portable toilets at the bus-loading area. Not NEARLY enough. 2. Another poster wondered why so many other runners were raving about the medals and I fully agree - the cartoon moose is very cheesy. Why not go with the moose silhouette printed on the T-shirt instead? 3. And speaking of the shirts, the quality is very nice, but construction-cone orange? That's probably the LAST color I'd pick for a race T-shirt. I guess I can always wear it for dawn and dusk training runs to increase my visibility. All things considered, this is a terrific marathon that I would definitely run again.
D. C. from Salt Lake City, UT (9/20/2009) "Perfect." (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Top of Utah Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I honestly cannot think how anything about this marathon could be improved (other than my time, of course). Everything about this race was perfect - from the hauntingly beautiful high-mountain start to the crowds lining the all-American, small-town streets to the volunteers and, finally, to the idyllic park at the finish line. Well done, Logan! I plan on doing this race every year.
G. H. from Salt Lake City, UT (9/20/2009) "Spectacularly beautiful mountain race" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and was an absolute joy. The scenery was breathtaking and the organization was outstanding. Can't think of any better way to experience a first marathon than running down an alpine canyon with beautiful fall colors, rippling streams, and very well staffed aid stations. The whole of Logan, UT appeared out along the course toward the end and the finisher's medal and runners shirt are an A+. I highly recommend this race and commend its wonderful leaders and volunteers!
C. J. from Geneva, IL (9/30/2008) "Wow, what a great marathon!" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The scenery in Logan was just breathtaking. There were many times during the first 14 miles that I couldn't believe my luck in picking such a beautiful race. The altitude was a bit of a struggle for someone from the Midwest, but not a deal-breaker. I might suggest a new route for the last 12 miles, as there are so many turns that, at times, could interfere with one's momentum. The volunteers and spectators were great. The race was planned extremely well and I hope to enjoy it again. Thanks to everyone for making it possible.
S. L. from San Diego, CA (9/25/2008) "Great first 1/2, smelly middle 1/3, nice finish" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 It was my first time running in high altitude and it definitely affected me. I cramped halfway through and hobbled all the way to the end. It was my 4th marathon and 1st out of California. The canyon run is great and very pretty scenery. The first 1/2 goes fast, and it's all downhill, so it's easy. The middle 1/3 is all smelly, and the whole time you will smell horse crap. It's flat and scenic, but it smells like horse poo the whole time. The end is through nice suburb and the finish is pretty nice. There's a part toward the finish where the road is not closed off, so you run right next to cars and it's sort of annoying. But overall, it was a nice little marathon that is growing. The pasta dinner was pretty good and worth it. Well organized for a little marathon, and the medal was nice and chunky.
C. M. from Yuba City, CA (9/23/2008) "A Great Run" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon and a fantastic experience. The run down the canyon has breathtaking scenery that makes the time pass quickly. Once out of the canyon, the spectators are great. The hills near the end are short and not as bad as others have stated. A superb organization as well.
J. V. from Flowery Branch, Georgia (9/23/2008) "Awesome Marathon!" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! This is a stellar marathon. The views of the sun rising over Blacksmith Fork Canyon are astounding, especially with the leaves changing. The course is a gentle downhill, with few real hills at the end either. The support was fantastic. Great medals, great shirts, and great moose trophies for those placed. The pasta party had a wheel to spin for a prize - and the prizes were as nice as $90 North Face sleeping bags. All in all, this clearly one of the finest marathons in the country: highly recommended.

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