This was my first marathon ever, and I loved it. It was perfect. The predominately downhill course is great. I hadn't trained adequately, but it was still a great experience. I was sad to hear that it went to a lottery this year, but hopefully I can get in to run it again. The medal was great. The finish line food was great. The spectators at the end were great, although I wasn't a huge fan of the last mile or two being through the city streets.

If you have a hard time with downhills, maybe this isn't for you. The vast majority is downhill except for the last mile or so and a hill around mile 14 (which isn't that bad. It looks bad, but it isn't). Run a lot of hills, and you'll do just fine on this course. It's awesome!

I've now run this race 8 times and keep wanting to come back for more. This race is a jewel that's getting harder to get into and sells out very quickly.

The course is highly scenic and overall pretty gentle without too many hills.

There's really no room for improvement with this event...except in my running.

This was my first marathon and it was perfect! Beautiful course, perfect weather, great support and spectators, beautiful medal, and the greatest recovery food ever at the finish!!!!

My favorite surprise was the ice cold sponges offered toward the middle of the race. Very nice touch!

Perfect race! I would do it again!

This is my second Ogden marathon and am impressed with all the effort that goes into it. I wa planning on this being my last marathon but now I'm having second thoughts

I have run this marathon twice: once in 2007 right after I ran the Boston, then again in 2008. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, the course is gentle on the knees and joints, and the organization couldn't be any better. This marathon course is, by far, my favorite because of the beauty and 'easiness' (like a full marathon is easy - but you runners know what I mean.....for instance, the St. George is very hard on the joints because of the downhill stretches) on the body. I hope to do it again in the future!!

The scenery in this race is, in a word, stunning. I can't imagine a more beautiful location or more perfect weather. Add to that wonderful organization and a great shirt and medal and in my opinion you have the perfect marathon. I see why this race is so popular and rumored to be going to a lottery next year. I read another comment mentioning a late bus. I boarded a bus at exactly 5:30 when they stated it would leave. Also, I had no problem getting my gear bag into the truck before the race began. If the marathon started late, that is news to me - it could only have been a few minutes late since I checked my watch 5 minutes before start time. There was plenty of food at the end including fresh bread, bananas, and smoothies. Ogden puts on a great end party. Honestly, if you can get in, you will be hard-pressed to find a better race.

This was a very scenic, very fast and well organized marathon. The weather was perfect, adding to a great experience. One added bonus was that the marathon was on a Saturday instead of a Sunday. Perhaps this was because the marathon was held in religiously-minded Utah. But religious aspects aside, it is so nice running on Saturday and then being able to enjoy another day of rest and relaxation before returning to work. My only complaint was that an annoying helicopter buzzing overhead wrecked the tranquility of the race for the first few miles as we ran down a beautiful canyon. Aside from that, I highly recommend this race.

Traveled far for this race and it was beautiful, and had great volunteers; but it also had a few cons that mean a lot to a runner.

The buses at the start were late, and throwing bags onto a truck as it drives by is NOT bag check. Also, I was a mid-pack finisher and there was no food to speak of at the end - Creamsicles and oranges?

I had fun with a friend, but many races are falling down in organization

This was my seventh year to run Ogden  I wouldn't keep coming back if it wasn't good. The course is spectacularly pretty, the organization is solid, the weather is nice, and the volunteers are extra special at the aid stations.

This is not a race with many spectators as it is a rural course. However, the snow-capped mountains, rivers and streams, waterfalls, lakes, and trees make up for lack of spectators. The solitude (not counting the other 2,000 runners) is refreshing.

What could be improved? An earlier start time (6:30 a.m.) would be nice. It's plenty light by then and it would help avoid the warmer temps later in the day. Also, the finish area is very congested and it's hard to move around. More space would be nice.

Kudos to the team that puts on this great race. I plan to be back next year!

The course was great. The most beautiful I have ever run. The volunteers were great. I liked the shirt and medal. Enjoyed staying downtown. Could walk to everything you needed. Race started late due to problems getting the buses out of the way. Would like water every mile, 2+ is too far between for the early miles. Overall, great experience and would do again.