I went into this marathon thinking it would be one of the easiest I have ever run. After twenty four marathons (six of those being ultra's) I came away thinking this was my hardest ever. To me, this is not a downhill marathon. Net downhill maybe, but sure doesn't feel like it when you are out there running it. There are two relentless long climbs and some rollers as well. One of the long climbs comes about mile seven and the other comes late in the race when you are pretty tired. Yes, there is significant downhill too, but the problem for me was that by the time I got to it, I was too shot from runnig uphill to go fast. On a positive note, it was the most beautiful marathon I have ever run as well as the best organized. I would have to say the volunteers were the best ever also. St George is a wonderful town and the people there are so welcoming and nice. The medal is my favorite that I have...made from the local 'Utah red' rock and each medal unique and different from anyone else's. This will go down as my most difficult marathon ever. My average marathon time is about 4:25 ( I am 59 years old) and I finished in just a hair under six hours. I have new respect for the people in the back of the pack. I was out on the course an hour and a half longer than I usually am and I felt totally beat up. This course kicked my butt but it humbled me at the same time. I would recommend this to anyone but don't go into it thinking you are going to PR. Just enjoy it for what it is and take whatever comes. It is so worth it just for the scenery and the people alone. Thank you St George.

The St George marathon sucks...the air right out of your lungs with its breathtaking scenery and downhill course. It is a fantastically fun, fast and furious free-fall through an enchanting landscape that calls out for you to stop and smell the roses. But herein lies the dilemma; with such a wickedly fast course that measures its descent in thousands of feet, you are destined to go for a PR once the start gun goes off, and all that wonderful scenery seems to go by waaaay to quickly.

One of the most amazing thing about this race comes somewhere around mile 21 or 22. You crest a small hill that reveals the city of St. George below, and you suddenly realize that not only can you visualize the finish on the distant horizon, but there is STILL more DOWNHILL&all the way to the end! There are a couple of formidable uphills along the way but you should find them a welcome relief to the quads. Sure it doesn't have the crowd support of NYC, but where there are supporters you feel the love, and those volunteers in the finishers park handing out ice pops&priceless!

I have crammed a lot of marathons into the last 4 years, from Vermont to California and this was my first one back after recovering from an injury. St. George reminded me why I enjoy marathons so much. A well-run, well-planned marathon is reminiscent of being a kid in a new amusement park, anxious to explore and collect lasting memories and returning home from the experience just a bit exhausted.

Minus - HOT, not super scenic, perhaps I am spoiled CO runner? Rolling hills were brutal. I have run Big Sur and this seemed worse?! Maybe the heat. First aid station not until Mile 3.
Plus - super organized, incredible aid stations (vaseline, icy/hot, water, gatorade, food), great spectators, you can get a sticker at the end with your time printed on it, that was cool even though my time was terrible, still very thoughtful, HUGE popsicle at the end - lifesaver, tons of food choices at the finish, misters - bueno!!
I am sorry to say this is in my least favorite marathons, but sounds like everyone else loves it :). To each his or her own.

What an awesome marathon. This was my 28th marathon (including 1 Boston) and I have to say it was the best experience I have ever had.
From the expo till the finish line it was so well organized.
Expo: Great vendors, cheap prices and no waiting in long lines for your race#.
Race day: no waiting for buses, the atmosphere at the start was like no other. Flags from every nation and state, music, food, drinks, plenty of restrooms, clothes bag service and fires to keep you warm.
Course: The scenery was spectacular. Just looking at the valley from above was great and the landscape was beautiful. The aid stations were well stocked and organized. At the finish line there were misters, ice cream, food, drinks and tons of ice for sore legs.
This was the first race I have been to where they actually brought your throw a way clothes back to you.
I managed to get a PR and BQ even in the extreme heat.
My compliments to the organizers-top notch.

The St George Marathon has incredible views throughout most of the course. The hills are tough, even the downhill. The course support is awesome: water, gatorade, gu, bananas and oranges. Pacers are provided too. 2011 was quite warm at the end and the misters helped.

This is the marathon to run for a well organized, fun race with knock-your-socks-off scenery. The proximity to Zion National Park for a post-race hike is icing on the cake. I'll do it again if I can win the lottery draw.

After looking at the elevation profile, I thought all of the downhill would be a piece of cake, but I have never been so sore after a marathon. I loved every minute of this race, though. The course and scenery were spectacular. Race organization was top-notch all the way from the expo to the after-race festivities. They had all the details down to a science; aid stations, mile markers, wet towels at the ~25 mile mark, even a marker at the 25.2-mile point telling us we had 1 mile to go. Everything was just right.

I had the pleasure of meeting several St. George residents during my brief stay in this city and also had pleasant dealings with some of the many volunteers at this event. I came away with the distinct impression that St. George is populated by really nice people. Everyone was so helpful and upbeat. As an example, after the race I went to pick up my sweats that were transported from the starting line. One of the volunteers spotted me walking toward the pickup area from 50 yards out. She read my bib number from a distance and by the time I arrived at her station, she had my bag in hand with all of my stuff ready to go. What great service!! It's no wonder this event is so popular.

With all the positive hype about St. George, I was prepared to be disappointed. Even my already-lofty expectations were blown away. The course could not have been more majestic - it was stunning! While the spectator areas were few and far between, the people were fantastic and unbelievably kind (some families were handing out ice pops near the end, and another had oranges). The volunteers were among the best (and most energetic) I've seen at my 12 marathons. The expo was great (big thanks to Terry Tucker for giving a course overview - along with a lot of laughs), the medals was spectacular (and unique), and the post-race area had great food/drinks. Everything came together like a fine symphony. Do prepare for the Veyo hills - they were much steeper than I had anticipated. Also make sure to coordinate pick-up if you rely on a hotel shuttle at the finish line, as I had to wait in 80+ degree heat for nearly an hour. Thanks to everyone for a wonderful race!

I am so glad I finally got to run this race. Everything was well organized and the people in St. George were so friendly. We flew into Las Vegas and drove over to STG the day before. Great, scenic run... the crowds and support were great once we got close to STG - about mile 20, I think. Nice showing of people at Veyo as we prepared for the climb there. I sure wish it had been a little cooler. It got above 80 near the end. Enjoyed the water mister and the COLD face cloths near the finish. I loved this one so much that I may go back again!

I was really excited about running St.George as I was hoping for a PR and maybe a BQ but 2010 ended up being the warmest in SGM history. The heat was the story du jour!! Miles 8-12 are uphill, but if you can get to the last 6, you are looking good. Beautiful scenery but unfortunately the heat killed 2010... the only thing that can't be controlled.