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May 3, 2024

Top of Utah Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Top of Utah Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.6

Organization 4.8

Spectators 4.0

Number of comments: 136 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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

D. M. from Ogden, UT (9/23/2008) "Beautiful course, typical of the Wasatch Marathons" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you run Salt Lake, Ogden or Logan, you know the course - start up in the Wasatch, run down a beautiful canyon not normally accessible to pedestrians, finish in town. The first 14 miles of this race are down a canyon. The biggest disappointment, for me, was the terrain after mile 14. Most of it was run through rural to suburban settings twisting and turning all the way to the finish. Compared to Ogden, I think Logan needs to rethink the last part of its course. I also think that Logan (and Ogden for that matter) need to think about wave starts. The first mile is incredibly congested as a couple thousand runners try to make their way along the narrow, winding 2-lane road at the start. Things had thinned out by the first mile marker, but it's still quite the crowd. Still, the organization is impeccable. And, the canyon is very much worth the effort of doing this marathon. I live in Ogden, so driving up that morning was something of a hassle, but same-day check-in was flawless, making a hotel unnecessary for me. There were plenty of port-a-johns. Nice medal. Great volunteers. A very nice experience.
Jose Jimenez from Utah (9/22/2008) "What an awesome experience!!!" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and the experience probably could not have been better. Everyone involved in the marathon, from the race directors, to the volunteers, to my fellow runners were nice, helpful and encouraging. The course was beautiful and really calmed me down during some of the tougher parts of the race. I only gave the course four stars because there are some parts in the first half that are a bit too steep and the hills at the end were a bit demoralizing. The race expo was pretty good, the packet pickup was fast and the timing chip worked flawlessly (milliseconds are great). The finish line was great. There were a lot of spectators throughout the second half, but not so many that I lost my wife in the crowd. My goal was 4:30 and I did it in 4:34. All in all, a great experience. I will be back next year.
Cody Bowles from Stansbury Park, UT (9/21/2008) "Great run; very pretty in the canyon" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I just ran this race not only for the first time, but as my very first marathon. The run was great. I didn't like some of the uphill running at the end. I wish the terrain were a little bit more mixed. But all in all, it wasn't bad. I had a lot of fun and finished in a time of 4:05.32.
Your Pal Roland from Smithfield Utah (9/20/2008) "Perfection." (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Top of Utah Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 7th TOU and the best one so far. The leaves were more spectacular, the weather was ideal, and the organization was superb. If you're looking for a marathon to run in Utah that has all the ingredients for an enjoyable run, this is it (although Ogden and Park City work just as well). A tip for packet pick-up: have a nice meal first, then swing by at about 8:30. No lines.
T. B. from Utah, USA (8/30/2008) "Top of Utah Half Marathon" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 My husband and I ran the Top of Utah half this August and have to say that we were very disappointed! First, the race seemed really disorganized, the course lacked an obvious start or finish line and there were no obvious mile markers. Also, the start was completely nuts, they didn't get the buses out before lining us up and then we were not lined up in any order, just crammed together with slow mixed in with the fast. Also, there was NO GU offered - only oranges and bananas, while we were both anticipating GU. In addition, the results did not get posted on the website, so even though we had to leave right after the race, we have no way of knowing what our times were.
A. S. from The great northwest! (10/7/2007) "All-Around Great Time!" (about: 2007) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is such a great event: Beautiful scenery, downhill much of the way, great fan support. A few specific things I loved: The pasta feed, packet pickup and expo went until 9, which is great for us out-of-towners. The traffic control was super - making the in-town portion a breeze. The after-race party was well-organized and well-stocked. Finally, the medals and shirts ROCKED!
R. L. from Bountiful, UT (9/25/2007) "Great Race!!" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great race. The course is beautiful, the weather was perfect, and the race was well-organized. The organization was key for me (as a first-timer) - as all the details were well thought-out for someone with no previous marathon experience. Many details that added to the experience were the glow-sticks in the potties before the race (while it was dark), the warming tent, and buses that stayed a little longer so that participants could stay warm. In addition, the several bathrooms along the way made emergency stops easy. The aid stations were well staffed with attentive volunteers. One thing I'd like to say: be sure to bring plenty of extra clothing before the race starts. The race bag provided for the clothes drop is large enough to accommodate a hat, gloves, jacket and sweatpants - so bring what you need to stay warm. Thank you to all the volunteers, race organizers and fans who made this a very memorable experience. I will certainly be back to run TOU again!
Angie Rasmussen from Idaho (9/19/2007) "Top of Utah = Top of the World!" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Top of Utah was an absolutely fantastic experience! This was my second marathon; I did the first to be able to say I ran a marathon, but it was this one that's convinced me I want to KEEP running them. The organization is top-notch, from start to finish. It's a little cold at the start, but a huge warming tent set up helps take off the chill. Port-a-potties stationed at every mile takes away the stress of having to find a tall bush along the course (although plenty of runners did that anyway). Aid stations are well-stocked, with water, Gatorade, fruit and enthusiastic volunteers. The first 14 miles down the canyon are as beautiful and breathtaking as advertised, and the gradual descent makes for an easy, comfortable run. The town of Logan really gets behind this event. Traffic is very well-controlled and spectators are friendly and supportive. My complaints are few: the last six miles of the course are very tedious, winding through residential neighborhoods and forcing runners to navigate a lot of turns and corners. I lost all the momentum I had gained from the first 20 miles and grew a bit discouraged when my PR slipped away from me in the last six miles. A more direct route to the finish would be much more appealing. Also, the food at the finish could really be more substantial other than the same Gatorade and oranges and bananas that were offered throughout the course. However, I took home a sharp-looking medal, technical shirt and even a fun souvenir poster and enjoyed a wonderfully relaxed post-race atmosphere on a beautiful autumn day. I'll be back to run TOU, for sure!
b. s. from oklahoma (9/19/2007) "absolutely beautiful course" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Awesome shirt, great finisher's medal, and fantastic organization.
A. W. from Salt Lake City, UT (9/18/2007) "GREAT MARATHON!" (about: 2007) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Top of Utah Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a well run, small marathon. The organization to the start, at the start, along the course, and at the finish provided everything needed for a race of this size. The pros far out way the cons and this is a race worth traveling for. The run down the canyon is just so beautiful that it makes you feel as if you are on a training run. The zig-zagging through the neighborhoods the last few miles that I've read so many complaints about is actually perfect because it allows for family and spectators to see you at many points during the last and hardest miles. Overall this is a great race for its size, with a fast course. I would run it again.

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