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St. George Marathon Runner Comments

Back to St. George Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.8 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.8 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.3 
 
 
Number of comments: 216 [displaying comments 41 to 51]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 3 4 5 6 7 .. 22 > ]

 

T. F. from Los Angeles (10/8/2012)
"Tough but fast and well run race." (about: 2012)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Why the numbers:

Course is three stars because it's really tough with no shade, but is downhill and well marked.

Spectators are 3 stars, because there are few along the course, but those there are giving it their all. Maybe this is my whopping 29 minute PR talking, but I loved this race. If you are considering it, take care to note the comments below re: difficulty of course. Massive net downhill, but there are a good amount of large rollers, with significant hills at 7.5, 9, and 18.

Organization was excellent, from registration to post-race massage and nifty coolpix time graphics on the website. There was also, while limited, great crowd support in a few select areas along the course (the organizers have a map for spectators to take a back route to several key areas)and in the final 3 miles.

Race organizers: two VERY minor complaints: 1) the shirts were very oddly shaped. The sleeves are like bell-bottom pants, with huge wrists tapering to normal sized bicep/shoulder area. I can't really wear mine, but I don't race for the shirt. 2) The water stop at 18 should be on the right side of the road. We enter the straightaway from a right turn and the timing mat at the top of the hill is on the right, so the water stop should be on the right. Otherwise, thanks for the great race.
 

James Kim from California (10/8/2012)
"It was perfect organization." (about: 2012)

1 previous marathon | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


It was very well prepared. There was no propblem to find places. I was first runner and a little bit nervous. But everything turned out good. I lloved my pace maker, 5 hours 30 min. She was great. She sang songs, encourged followers and kept the timing etc. The marathon course was beautiful. I loved it so much and I will run again next year with my wife.

James Kim, Moreno Valley, california
 

N. K. from Missouri (5/24/2012)
"first marathon & couldn't have been better" (about: 2011)

1 previous marathon | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I have mixed feelings about this being my first marathonwas it absolutely amazing in every way?YES! but can any future marathon live up to it? don't know and keep putting off trying to find out so i might be ruined for all other marathons. You are loaded into a bus and sent in the cold darkas the sun comes up during the run you see the beautiful desert mountain views come to life almost a spiritual experience.

I woke the day before with a stomach flu and the only thing that got me through the race were the great aid stations, lots of port o johns, and the views (to distract from the stomach cramps. :) The only thing that was kinda crappy was the fact that there are VERY few spectators as the route is closed to any kind of traffic but i felt that made it more peaceful. The finishers coral was kind of a mess VERY packed and i was blocked from my family and was almost too exhausted to walk around the long barrier to get to them. Hopefully they will fix this in the future.
 

j. m. from Illinois (11/12/2011)
"Outstanding - Lives up to its reputation" (about: 2011)

50+ previous marathons | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Depending on where you live and how you train, this course is either very fast or brutal. I live in a flat area at sea level, so I was the second catagory. The elevation is high enough to get your attention, especially on the uphill portions. The long, fairly steep downhill second half really beat up my legs and the 90 degree sun at the end added to the pain. So I turned off my watch and just enjoyed the event. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would say that this is one of the bucket list races for marathoners.
 

M. P. from Salem, Oregon (11/4/2011)
"Scenic and well organized!" (about: 2011)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my first time running St George and I chose this because it was scenic. As my 8th marathon it was one of my favorites. The elevation was a little rough because I am used to training at sea level, but overall it was great. If you have trained downhill and uphill (like I did) it is a great course. Volunteers were awesome and aid stations were well laid out and well stocked. I would run this race again, but would spend some more time acclimating to the elevation.
 

s. m. from salt lake city, utah (10/29/2011)
"Awesome race best organized" (about: 2011)

11-50 previous marathons | 4-5 St. George Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I have ran this race the past 4 years and this year was the best shirts, I actually wear it. Thanks for getting it right.
 

D. C. from Idaho (10/23/2011)
"Fantastic Event!" (about: 2011)

11-50 previous marathons | 6+ St. George Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Everything about this race is perfect. Congrats to the organizers and volunteers for such an excellent job.

The only suggestion I have is to get a different supplier for the shirts. The shirts sizes always run too small (and it's not because I'm too fat).
 

J. D. from USA - Iowa (10/18/2011)
"Beautiful course" (about: 2011)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 St. George Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


I love this race. The course is beautiful, the race is very well organized and the support is great for a point to point race in the mountains. This was my second time running St. George and I would definitely run it again.

The only negative I took away from the race was the shirts. My men's size L fit my petite 12 year old daughter perfectly.
 

T. R. from Columbus, OH (10/18/2011)
"Far tougher than I imagined! Great race, though!" (about: 2011)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Marathon #23 for me and my first in St. George. I was expecting a nice, downhill race and while it was, it was anything but easy! I did come in a little undertrained and not heat ready and paid dearly for it. Definitely not the fault of the race staff!!

All in all, the expo was a bit on the small side but very easy to navigate. Getting a hotel wasn't too tough and I managed to stay about 1/2 of a mile from the finish. Getting a bus to the start was easy and didn't take too long until we were seated and to the start

You'll run the first little bit in the pre-dawn darkness. It was very cool running in the desert w/only the sounds of feet hitting the pavement and darkness surrounding. Once the sun came up, it was warmer than I had hoped and the nice hills from 7 to 10 were far tougher than I had imagined. Miles 13-16 were surreal as the backdrop was one of the best I've ever seen while running. Vivid colors surrounded!! Definitely a fun trip down the mountain!

My only complaint was I think there needed to be 2 more water stops. While most races every 2 miles should be sufficient, if you're having a bad day and out there doing 12+ minute miles, being 25 or so minutes or more between aid is a little long in 90 degree heat. I probably should have carried something but really hadn't planned on being out there that long. Otherwise, a great day and fun race.

I'd put this on the must do list for anyone looking for someplace to run!
 

P. N. from PA (10/8/2011)
"Fantastic marathon" (about: 2011)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 St. George Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is my favorite marathon. It is incredibly well organized. The scenery is awe-inspiring. The weather is great. What more could you ask for?
 

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