I've run this race more than 20 times, and every year when I finish I just say, "WOW."

Everything about the St. George Marathon runs like a well-oiled machine, a high-performance machine.

The organization is flawless. The aid stations are exceptional, and the volunteers are the best I've seen at any marathon.

The course is incredibly scenic. It has more uphill than some say it has, and that makes you work, and the downhill is very helpful if you train for it.

Where the spectators can reach the course, they are terrific, but most of the course is rural and closed to spectators. If you need spectators to cheer you on the entire way, don't run this race (in fact, is that why you really run, to hear cheers?).

The finish line is very well run. There is exceptional support, lots of food and drink, and lots of grass to stretch out on. One-of-a-kind medal too!

Yes, I know this race is hard to get into because of the lottery. However, I've yet to meet anyone that was sorry they ran it... or anyone who has complained about any aspect of the event. It's worth going through the lottery process.

What an outstanding event - from top to bottom they do a fantastic job at the St. George Marathon and you're pretty much guaranteed an enjoyable experience as long as you are well prepared for the challenging (and fast) race course. Without question you should enter the lottery for St. George if you've never done it, and especially if you're searching for a PR/BQ.

PROS:
* Fast course - perfect for a personal best and Boston qualifying time (train for quad-busting 6-8% downhill grade AND a few short ups).
* Great weather.
* Great fans - even though they are sparse (the course is closed to fans for most of the course, which is fine by me), when you see the fans, they are loud and supportive.
* Good expo.
* Great medal.
* Good pasta dinner.
* Bonfires at the start (very cool and helpful at the start).
* Some of the best-staffed and set-up aid stations anywhere (including volunteers who will apply Icy Hot AND give you a quick massage if you need it).
* Great, grassy finish area where runners can spread out a lot.
* Very efficient gear bag retrieval, race results, and race info areas/staff.
* Beautiful scenery!

CONS: (And these are SMALL criticisms, as I would run this race again in a heartbeat.)
* Clif pacers went out way too fast (although I never use 'em), and probably blew up half of the people running with them.
* No "real" food at the finish. The Bomb-Pops, soda and a slice of melon at the finish was nice to boost sugar levels, but something more to sustain runners until a real meal would have helped.
* Move the wet/cold washcloths to the finish (instead of having them 0.5M out).

There is nothing I could find to complain about at this marathon. It is a beautiful course with a great organization behind it. There aren't a lot of places for spectators to view the race, but they are very enthusiastic when they can get close by. Everything - from the expo/number pickup, to the volunteers helping at the race, to the post-race food - was perfect. I really like that there is a runners' area to keep the crowds out. As mentioned before, there are a number of uphill stretches to go with the downhill, but it's still a good course to set a PR on.

This was an absolutely perfect race!! I loved it from start to finish. They know what they're doing in St. George, and they know how to put on a marathon. Plenty of everything - porta-johns, aid stations, and lots of GOOD stuff at the finish. I would highly recommend this race. The lottery is about a 50/50 shot, but well worth the effort to keep trying!

This was hands-down the best marathon I have ever run. I beat my PR by 20 minutes, and qualified for Boston with nine minutes to spare. The course is beautiful, the race is extremely well-organized, and the caliber of runners participating definitely sets the bar pretty high. Don't let the hype about this being a "downhill" race fool you. This is a challenging course, especially if you're not used to running steep downhills (or up the side of a volcano, for that matter!). This race is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

What a wonderful experience from start to finish! This marathon is very well-organized and the support from the city of St. George is just amazing. Everyone welcomes the runners with a smile! This was my first time running this marathon, and I would definitely return! I ran with a pace group for about 14 miles then took off. I got my BQ with 7 minutes to spare! The Clif pace team is knowledgeable and understand that many runners here are very serious about their qualifying times. The crowd support is not as salient as at other marathons simply because most of this course takes place in the hills and is not easily accessible. Those who do manage to position themselves along the course were enthusiastic and loud! Kudos to the race director for putting together such a seamless event!

I haven't really run a marathon in 5 years, since TCM in '03. Have done Chicago and others in the past, so I have seen some bigger races. My sister encouraged me to run after she ran St. George in '07. We ran together, so I got to thank her repeatedly over the first 15 miles of rain. Despite the rain, the race was a huge success. From the bus ride in the morning to the campfires to the aid stations, everything was wonderful. I have never seen so many volunteers in a rainy event. I also have not seen so many massages given at aid stations. It was amazing. Great job to the organizers and volunteers. I will pray for sun next time.

Great organization - best of 23 races I have run. Can't say enough for the race sponsor and crew. There are more moderate hills than the website indicated. Scenic. Tough weather the day of race, but the organizers did their best to protect us from elements - gloves, garbage bags, and many bonfires pre-race. Well organized post-race area. They kept family and spectators out of the finish and nutrition area. Most races do not, and the limited food supply disappears. I would recommend it. St. George accommodations are pricey. Call around.

As others have mentioned, the rain was relentless this year, but it was an amazing day out there. I never imagined that I would be able to enjoy a race in the constant rain and frequent headwinds, but due to the organization and spectacular scenery, I had a great day. I ran one of my fastest times at this race, and I don't know if it was the course or the fact that I couldn't slow down much without fear of getting getting too cold. Out of 12 marathons, this was my first negative split, as the race can really be broken into two halves - the first half I definitely didn't feel much of the downhill and the course had some good climbs; but I think this helps keep you focused on holding back early and make up some time beginning around mile 14. There are definitely some minor uphills and I would recommend some hill work to prepare. Thankfully Veyo was such a beautiful piece of the course, or else that would have been a pretty tough climb in the rain. And watch for the one at mile 19; it can feel a lot harder than it probably is after running a good pace downhill.

Spectators were amazing coming into town and I would second the request for Mylar blankets and some warm food. At any other marathon I would be so happy to have some ice cream, but with purple lips this year, I held off on all food until taking a hot bath back at my room. I will try to be back and see what its like to run this course in better weather. Definitely one you can race well. And I will never forget the scene up at the top of the canyon with thousands of cold, wet runners huddled around dying fires in the dark waiting to put themselves through more torture of running 26.2 miles in more rain. What a great day! Thanks, St. George!

DC, there is nothing wrong with expecting a Mylar sheet after a marathon, especially if it is still raining and windy, as it was for me at the finish. For most people, you just don't walk up and expect to get your bag handed to you without waiting in line. It was a fantastic weekend, but Mylar sheets should have been given out at the finish line. I did get a PR. Thankfully I wore my garbage bag for the whole race; I needed it afterward.