Some of the views along the course were just stunning. It is still a challenging course with plenty of uphill along the way. Being from the flatlands it seemed like the first 7 miles downhill were not as easy as anticipated with the elevation. I trained a fair amount doing downhills but this course pounds your quads. Mine were literally numb for the last 3-4 miles into St. George. The weather was warm; according to the host at the start, it was the warmest temp at the race start in 34 years. Water at the stops was somewhat of a problem in my opinion. Since I tried to at least double up fluid at each, it required stopping to get multiple cups, which usually were less than half-filled. The water stops should have been spread out with the volunteers so as to allow getting multiple cups if needed without stopping. That may be nitpicking, but hey, this race is billed as the most organized, and when you are racing the clock, an extra 10 seconds at each stop adds minutes. To me, Twin Cities Marathon is the most organized, but this course definitely is scenic, and on a good-weather day it is a PR course!

Though everyone claims this is an all-downhill race, they are quite wrong with miles 7-12, which are all uphill. However, that's early in the race, and if you can handle that, you've got smooth sailing ahead with wonderful downhills (except mile 18) that keep you flying to the finish. I PR'd by over 3 minutes despite the heat of the day, which was unusually hot (finished in the mid 70's). The organization is fantastic - no waiting in lines at the expo, at the bus lines, etc. This is the first of 10 marathons where I actually noticed the scenery as it was so gorgeous. I would absolutely run this marathon again.

Utah has some great marathons, but St. George is the best overall. They've done this for 34 years and have everything down to a science. Unless they can figure out a way for me to run faster, there is nothing they can improve on.

Perfect organization!

Terrific volunteers.

Great support.

Fantastic finish area!

Highly scenic course.

Take it from someone who has run this race a number of times: Be prepared for uphills from miles 7-12. This course is overall downhill, but watch out for those miles!

Great job, St. George!

Since I live in Utah, I am very aware of this Marathon's reputation. But the reality was much better than anything I expected. The expo was great, the volunteers were awesome, and the starting line was flawless (loved the Elite section). The course is the best I have run. I have done 6 previous marathons, but this course takes the cake. It is not all downhill, but the placement and distribution of the uphill is perfect.

Spectators were awesome at Veyo, Snow Canyon and in town. The scenery was awesome. The support on the course was great(thanks for the misters). The organization was flawless.

I BQ'ed for the first time this year, so this one will hold a special place in my memories. I will be sure to try to get into next year's race.

I really looked forward to this race after "getting in" via lottery. The course was exactly what I expected (big net drop with some climbing from 7.5 to 12ish). I would really like to run this one again when the weather is better. The organization (packet pickup, transportation, water stops, finish area) was first-class all the way. Great job, St. George!!

I was not so prepared for the altitude and how it would affect me when I had to run up Veyo. I live in Chicago and we have no hills and altitude like that.

I heard about the St. George Marathon and was so excited to get accepted into the lottery. I trained the best I could. I was so amazed by the beauty of the volcanic rocks and how far I cold see: perfect blue sky and beautiful white fluffy clouds. I had to walk up Veyo, the KILLER beautiful HILL... which is worse than Heartbreak Hill in Boston. I loved the race and have told many of my runner friends to sign up for it and do it. I was also amazed how the altitude opened my lungs and made me run faster only downhill and slow uphill.

Thanks to all of the volunteers - you each deserve a medal for the service you have done for all the runners to make our race day wonderful. Thanks to the Bengay men and ladies.... If it weren't for the Bengay volunteers, my quads would have given up on me. I even went dancing in 3-inch heels later that night. Thank you so much; this is a race I'll never forget!

The St. George volunteers are awesome. I was especially grateful for those who applied Bengay to my legs. They were on their knees applying this stuff to runner after runner. I got treatments at several stations (once calves, then knees, then quads, then thighs). I wish I could go back and hug and thank all of them in person. They deserve a special place in Heaven.

This year was warmer (near 50 at the start and 75 at the 4-hour finish). Stats show that the average time was 7 minutes slower in 2010 than 2009.

I love this course. I have run in 4 times ('83 '84 '09 and '10). I have an negative split average of 6 minutes.

Great job, St. George!

The St. George Marathon is the best! It is extremely well organized, the volunteers are great and the course is spectacular. Other marathons could learn a lot from this one - e.g. having fires at the start and ample goodies at the end. Well done!!!

Hoping to run a Boston qualifying time, I trained and did all that was needed to get myself to St. George. Perfection was my expectation for myself and for the St. George Marathon race organization and perfection is what happened there:

* no waiting to board the bus that takes you to the start
* a festive start area, with food and drinks, Mylar blankets, gloves, bonfires and more than enough porta-potties. Large, well organized staging and start areas.
* the course is fast, with some uphills, some of which are challenging, but it's mostly downhill, and some of them are challenging. An almost certain Boston qualifier with proper and plentiful hill training.
* beautiful desert mountain views, sunrise over Veyo volcano, adequate spectators at several locations and plenty at the finish, along with school bands.
* efficient finish line where you get a medal made from local rock, misters to cool off, a calm, relaxing recovery area for finishers with good food and drink and plenty of volunteers to serve.
* it seemed that every need of each runner was met and each runner was made to feel like a champion.
* I am usually able to find fault with anything, but this St. George Marathon is one of true perfection.

This was my 4th marathon. I ran the first half at 1:45 and was able to have a negative split in the 2nd half. I ran with my wife until about mile 21. She pulled away and finished 2 minutes ahead. It's ok... I'm good with it. Mile 18 has a hill that does not show up on the charts. Best to drive the course in advance. Very quiet course until the end when you really need it. The noise at Boston wore me out. Looking forward to a fun St. George race in 2010.