Marathon Details - Bear Lake Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > UT > Garden City > Bear Lake Marathon

Bear Lake Marathon & Half Marathon, 5K

Garden City, UT USA

June 8, 2024

http://www.runbearlake.com

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Reviews

Course 3.8

Organization 3.8

Spectators 2.7

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Number of comments: 25 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

M. L. from Salem, Oregon (6/13/2021) "Great small marathon!" (about: 2021) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This race is the third of the "Trifecta" - Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah, in that order - and this was my second of those (I skipped Idaho). I loved the Wyoming leg (separate review) and I really liked this one too. Setting aside that it is a later race, it is significantly more challenging than Wyoming. The elevation didn't seem to bother me much even though I came from sea level, but unlike the Wyoming leg, this has a 2-3 mile trail path that is hilly, slightly rocky in parts, and new for me as a mostly road runner. So expect more effort if you're planning the trifecta. And the sun is relentless, with shade along maybe a couple hundred feet the entire race, even with a 7 am start. As for safety, this is along mostly country roads, most of them quiet, and I had no problem with local traffic, but you do need to be mindful of it. The race has a small field (I think around 70 this year) but I have found that to be a major plus as the runners were very supportive, with a lot of 50-staters who bring a positive vibe, along with family that would follow their racer along the event. This made up for the fact that without those people, there would be very few spectators except for maybe the first and last mile. Beautiful views and really a nice out and back. I found the organization and support to be excellent. It's small and informal, but robustly supported for the size of the race, with water/snack stations (mostly manned) every 2-3 miles, appropriately placed and spaced toilets, and clear trail markings with very little chance of getting lost. (The only turn I almost missed was right at the 26.0 mark when there is a little u diversion on a city street that your mind wants to ignore when you can clearly see the finish line. An attendant or sign there would be good in addition to the trail markings that were there). The support from the volunteers and the friends of other runners really made the race. I really loved this race, which was my first back-to-back marathon run. I highly recommend it.
T. C. from Massachusetts (8/26/2019) "The last of Three marathons in Three Days" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Utah's day of the Bear Lake Trifecta was Saturday. On Thursday we ran Idaho. On Friday we ran Wyoming. Utah's course was the most varied and challenging with a steep trail portion but we also were treated to the best views of Bear Lake. The race was sold twice between the time I signed up for the challenge and the time I ran it. The new owners are working on improving it and I think they did a lot with limited resources. This was my first multiple marathons back to back. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of crazy marathoners from all over, including a couple of Englishmen. The camaraderie during the series was wonderful. The courses are very wide open so bring your sunscreen. Port-a-potties were every two miles and the water stops were well supplied. Once I finish my fifth states I hope to return.
M. T. from Utah, United States of America (6/10/2018) "I'd recommend a different marathon" (about: 2018) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Well. I don't have a lot of good things to say about this race. It was very disorganized. They didn't give us hardly any race details until the week of the marathon. The morning of, things weren't set up and the director informed us that the half marathon was a mile short. The course had about eight miles of dirt track and half of it was an ATV path covered in dangerous rocks. Along those paths was a septic pond and nothing pushes you four miles like the smell of turd. The track was a 13.1 mile course that you turn around and ran back. There was no mention of that and there was no mention of dirt paths. When I finished I looked forward to collecting my 'awesome swag' they advertise. Apparently all swag was was some ugly shirt and a metal. Disappointing. Honestly, find a better marathon.
Chuck Savage from Ocala, FL (6/14/2016) "Wonderful race! Wonderful race director!" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The course is asphalt, through beautiful farm country, with newly green fields, and full of fat cattle, horses, and sheep. Also many new wild flowers and bird songs. The weather was ideal, cool, breezy, and partly overcast. There was no shade, because there were few trees, but since the sun was clouded, it did not matter. The course was well marked and aid stations were frequent and well stocked. All the race workers were very friendly and my hat is off to the race director Jered, who was so generous with goodies (shirt, hat, jacket, and very nice finisher medals) and a wonderful attitude.
M. H. from OH (9/26/2015) "Wish I'd picked a different race for Utah" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Overall, I was disappointed in this race, which I ran as part of the three-race series. The course did not spend as much time near the lake as I had expected, and there were some scary stretches along a highway with no berm. I did not realize that most people were taking the early start, and as a slower runner, I spent the entire day by myself. The water at the self-serve aid stations was warm, and the buzzards were circling overhead. But they did keep the finish line open for me to get an official time, and I did enjoy the meals and accommodations at the guest house arranged by the race director. But if I had it to do over, I think I would choose another race for my Utah marathon experience.
Sara Harmon from North Carolina, USA (8/15/2015) "Set your standards low, and then lower them." (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 To summarize as many of the problems that I can remember: 1. Information about the event(s) was not at packet pickup (start times, addresses, etc.). Plus, packet pickup was a complete disaster with nothing being pre-packed and most people having to get bibs and shirts for 3 marathons. 2. The 'race document' that was emailed was inconsistent with what was on the website (esp. Thursday WY start times for the full). 3. Trifecta runners did not get tech shirts, just plain cotton - and the logo on my shirt is already cracked and fading, less than 2 months after the event. 4. Participants were supposed to order finisher's jackets in advance online, but the website wasn't working, so people were told to get them at packet pickup and then they were sold out (before packet pickup started). 5. The race director generally seemed inconvenienced by the races and the runners. Never truly accepted responsibility for ANYTHING that went wrong. 6. Ran out of water multiple times and didn't have Gatorade prepared on the course. I had to make it myself as I ran by. 7. Incorrect course markings - which caused the #1 male to get DQ'd from the Utah marathon and the trifecta, costing him LOTS of prize money. Not to mention, it cost others of us time and confusion because the signs were inaccurate. 8. Horrible organization of early starters. Several people just 'reported' their time to him - no official tracking or accountability. 9. Promised a post-race cookout after the last event and didn't show up. 10. NEVER held an award's ceremony (for any of the marathons), promised to send age group awards in the mail, never did - and won't respond to inquires about them. I have emailed 3 times (for the first time about 4 weeks after the race) and have gotten no response. 11. Increased prices for 2016 - what a joke!! 12. I spoke to A LOT of other runners who were equally disappointed and baffled by the lack of professionalism. Everyone on Facebook was acting like this event was the best race ever - but that is certainly not the case. I have never even participated in a local fundraising 5k with such horrible and numerous problems. This was the worst race, much less marathon(s), I have ever participated in.
S. C. from New York (7/29/2015) "Poor Organization" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Glad I participated to knock Idaho Utah and Wyoming off my list of 50 states. It has all the making of a great time but needs much better organization. Shortly after the start, there was confusion of the course. There were signs that pointed in conflicting directions. Even the race pacers went the wrong way. People stopped running and huddled together to try to figure out which was the correct way. This was less than a mile into the race. Another complete cluster is the early starters. There were plenty of them, which is fine, but the results listed take this not into account. People who started an hour early are listed on the results of finishing before those who started at the regular time. This has all the makings of a nice race, but it certainly needs to be fine tuned.
E. G. from Utah (6/23/2015) "Disappointing" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Bear Lake Marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I have run the Bear Lake half marathon for the last 5 years. This year I signed up and paid for a large tech race shirt. They sold them the day before and the only option I had was for an extra-large that doesn't fit. The new course is terrible, hot and boring! It doesn't even run along the lake. It is mostly around a town on a dirt road called Lake Town. I would change the name to the hot and dry lake town boring half marathon. Drink stations had no body at them and we were not told that they also would not have cups. Please change the course back to what it has been. Communicate better and at least place the course where people can actually come to cheer for you.
J. W. from the Berkshires (6/18/2013) "Bear Lake beauty" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was one of those runners who chose to double - I ran the smaller Bear Lake Idaho race the day before. This course heads south on the east side of the lake and curves around the bottom to finish in Garden City, Utah, a small town. We were bused out to the start and it was very casual; we were given the option to begin at any time and were told that if we did so, we had to keep track of our time. Some runners started VERY early; we saw them around mile 14 as we went by in the buses. The course is gorgeous with plenty of downhills and runs almost completely along Bear Lake. There also was some deer roadkill early on in the course; mostly bones and fur on the side of the road. At one point, however, a large deer was just lying there stiff. It was kind of creepy - it just made me run a little faster to get by. I suppose that's life in the mountains. One big plus - the mile markers counted down from 26, so by the time I saw the '4 miles to go' sign (my old nemesis mile 22), I was very happy indeed. I thought this was a cool way to present the distance. There were a few spectators - friends and family of other runners - and very well-stocked aid stations with cold Gatorade and gels. One of the later stops had candy and fruit, and the stations were run by Army men and women. Many of the same soldiers had volunteered at the stations at the Idaho race the day before and it was inspiring to have them there. The weather was clear, dry, and a little warm; there were volunteers driving the course handing out water and gels in between aid stations. The Bear Lake series is highly recommended for runners looking to run a no hassle double and get two beautiful states finished. However, the Bear Lake Marathon by itself would be a tremendous race for a first-timer or a newcomer. The scenery is beautiful, the point-to-point course is both roll-y and flat.
E. G. from Cottonwood Heights, Utah (6/11/2013) "No Frills Marathon" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 If you are looking for a marathon with bands, throngs of spectators, a huge party at the end, or clocks at every mile marker, you'll want to skip this marathon. However, if you want a well run marathon that delivers on a beautiful, accurate course, an affordable price, a couple hundred friendly runners, and ample support, you'll find it at the Bear Lake Marathon. The course is certainly challenging - in terms of rolling hills (no back breakers, but it seemed like the course was more uphill than not). Another challenge is that you'll be running at elevation (approximately 6000 feet). The course is run on roads around the lake. There is minimal car traffic at the start but the later miles, as you head back into town, you will have to pay attention to traffic. Also the race gets significantly warmer as the sun bakes the west side of the lake. The shirt is a high-quality tech shirt, the medal was interesting but certainly not the best I've gotten, and there was water / sports drink / gels every 2 miles (starting at mile 3.2). The start was pretty unassuming - a simple ready set go pretty much 5 minutes after the buses arrived. Also the buses to the race start were full and had standing room only. The finishing area had plenty of food, even for the late marathon finishers. Just don't expect a huge crowd of people cheering for you as you come in... again this is a small race. I would certainly run this marathon again. The course is absolutely stunning and it is a low pressure way to get Idaho or Utah off your 50-state list. Just keep your expectations in check and remember to enjoy the views. Tip: go to the lake afterwards and take an impromptu ice bath. I have never felt less sore after a marathon after having done that.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

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M. L. from Salem, Oregon (6/13/2021) "Great small marathon!" (about: 2021) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This race is the third of the "Trifecta" - Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah, in that order - and this was my second of those (I skipped Idaho). I loved the Wyoming leg (separate review) and I really liked this one too. Setting aside that it is a later race, it is significantly more challenging than Wyoming. The elevation didn't seem to bother me much even though I came from sea level, but unlike the Wyoming leg, this has a 2-3 mile trail path that is hilly, slightly rocky in parts, and new for me as a mostly road runner. So expect more effort if you're planning the trifecta. And the sun is relentless, with shade along maybe a couple hundred feet the entire race, even with a 7 am start. As for safety, this is along mostly country roads, most of them quiet, and I had no problem with local traffic, but you do need to be mindful of it. The race has a small field (I think around 70 this year) but I have found that to be a major plus as the runners were very supportive, with a lot of 50-staters who bring a positive vibe, along with family that would follow their racer along the event. This made up for the fact that without those people, there would be very few spectators except for maybe the first and last mile. Beautiful views and really a nice out and back. I found the organization and support to be excellent. It's small and informal, but robustly supported for the size of the race, with water/snack stations (mostly manned) every 2-3 miles, appropriately placed and spaced toilets, and clear trail markings with very little chance of getting lost. (The only turn I almost missed was right at the 26.0 mark when there is a little u diversion on a city street that your mind wants to ignore when you can clearly see the finish line. An attendant or sign there would be good in addition to the trail markings that were there). The support from the volunteers and the friends of other runners really made the race. I really loved this race, which was my first back-to-back marathon run. I highly recommend it.
T. C. from Massachusetts (8/26/2019) "The last of Three marathons in Three Days" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Utah's day of the Bear Lake Trifecta was Saturday. On Thursday we ran Idaho. On Friday we ran Wyoming. Utah's course was the most varied and challenging with a steep trail portion but we also were treated to the best views of Bear Lake. The race was sold twice between the time I signed up for the challenge and the time I ran it. The new owners are working on improving it and I think they did a lot with limited resources. This was my first multiple marathons back to back. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of crazy marathoners from all over, including a couple of Englishmen. The camaraderie during the series was wonderful. The courses are very wide open so bring your sunscreen. Port-a-potties were every two miles and the water stops were well supplied. Once I finish my fifth states I hope to return.
M. T. from Utah, United States of America (6/10/2018) "I'd recommend a different marathon" (about: 2018) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 Well. I don't have a lot of good things to say about this race. It was very disorganized. They didn't give us hardly any race details until the week of the marathon. The morning of, things weren't set up and the director informed us that the half marathon was a mile short. The course had about eight miles of dirt track and half of it was an ATV path covered in dangerous rocks. Along those paths was a septic pond and nothing pushes you four miles like the smell of turd. The track was a 13.1 mile course that you turn around and ran back. There was no mention of that and there was no mention of dirt paths. When I finished I looked forward to collecting my 'awesome swag' they advertise. Apparently all swag was was some ugly shirt and a metal. Disappointing. Honestly, find a better marathon.
Chuck Savage from Ocala, FL (6/14/2016) "Wonderful race! Wonderful race director!" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The course is asphalt, through beautiful farm country, with newly green fields, and full of fat cattle, horses, and sheep. Also many new wild flowers and bird songs. The weather was ideal, cool, breezy, and partly overcast. There was no shade, because there were few trees, but since the sun was clouded, it did not matter. The course was well marked and aid stations were frequent and well stocked. All the race workers were very friendly and my hat is off to the race director Jered, who was so generous with goodies (shirt, hat, jacket, and very nice finisher medals) and a wonderful attitude.
M. H. from OH (9/26/2015) "Wish I'd picked a different race for Utah" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Overall, I was disappointed in this race, which I ran as part of the three-race series. The course did not spend as much time near the lake as I had expected, and there were some scary stretches along a highway with no berm. I did not realize that most people were taking the early start, and as a slower runner, I spent the entire day by myself. The water at the self-serve aid stations was warm, and the buzzards were circling overhead. But they did keep the finish line open for me to get an official time, and I did enjoy the meals and accommodations at the guest house arranged by the race director. But if I had it to do over, I think I would choose another race for my Utah marathon experience.
Sara Harmon from North Carolina, USA (8/15/2015) "Set your standards low, and then lower them." (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 To summarize as many of the problems that I can remember: 1. Information about the event(s) was not at packet pickup (start times, addresses, etc.). Plus, packet pickup was a complete disaster with nothing being pre-packed and most people having to get bibs and shirts for 3 marathons. 2. The 'race document' that was emailed was inconsistent with what was on the website (esp. Thursday WY start times for the full). 3. Trifecta runners did not get tech shirts, just plain cotton - and the logo on my shirt is already cracked and fading, less than 2 months after the event. 4. Participants were supposed to order finisher's jackets in advance online, but the website wasn't working, so people were told to get them at packet pickup and then they were sold out (before packet pickup started). 5. The race director generally seemed inconvenienced by the races and the runners. Never truly accepted responsibility for ANYTHING that went wrong. 6. Ran out of water multiple times and didn't have Gatorade prepared on the course. I had to make it myself as I ran by. 7. Incorrect course markings - which caused the #1 male to get DQ'd from the Utah marathon and the trifecta, costing him LOTS of prize money. Not to mention, it cost others of us time and confusion because the signs were inaccurate. 8. Horrible organization of early starters. Several people just 'reported' their time to him - no official tracking or accountability. 9. Promised a post-race cookout after the last event and didn't show up. 10. NEVER held an award's ceremony (for any of the marathons), promised to send age group awards in the mail, never did - and won't respond to inquires about them. I have emailed 3 times (for the first time about 4 weeks after the race) and have gotten no response. 11. Increased prices for 2016 - what a joke!! 12. I spoke to A LOT of other runners who were equally disappointed and baffled by the lack of professionalism. Everyone on Facebook was acting like this event was the best race ever - but that is certainly not the case. I have never even participated in a local fundraising 5k with such horrible and numerous problems. This was the worst race, much less marathon(s), I have ever participated in.
S. C. from New York (7/29/2015) "Poor Organization" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Glad I participated to knock Idaho Utah and Wyoming off my list of 50 states. It has all the making of a great time but needs much better organization. Shortly after the start, there was confusion of the course. There were signs that pointed in conflicting directions. Even the race pacers went the wrong way. People stopped running and huddled together to try to figure out which was the correct way. This was less than a mile into the race. Another complete cluster is the early starters. There were plenty of them, which is fine, but the results listed take this not into account. People who started an hour early are listed on the results of finishing before those who started at the regular time. This has all the makings of a nice race, but it certainly needs to be fine tuned.
E. G. from Utah (6/23/2015) "Disappointing" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Bear Lake Marathons COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I have run the Bear Lake half marathon for the last 5 years. This year I signed up and paid for a large tech race shirt. They sold them the day before and the only option I had was for an extra-large that doesn't fit. The new course is terrible, hot and boring! It doesn't even run along the lake. It is mostly around a town on a dirt road called Lake Town. I would change the name to the hot and dry lake town boring half marathon. Drink stations had no body at them and we were not told that they also would not have cups. Please change the course back to what it has been. Communicate better and at least place the course where people can actually come to cheer for you.
J. W. from the Berkshires (6/18/2013) "Bear Lake beauty" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was one of those runners who chose to double - I ran the smaller Bear Lake Idaho race the day before. This course heads south on the east side of the lake and curves around the bottom to finish in Garden City, Utah, a small town. We were bused out to the start and it was very casual; we were given the option to begin at any time and were told that if we did so, we had to keep track of our time. Some runners started VERY early; we saw them around mile 14 as we went by in the buses. The course is gorgeous with plenty of downhills and runs almost completely along Bear Lake. There also was some deer roadkill early on in the course; mostly bones and fur on the side of the road. At one point, however, a large deer was just lying there stiff. It was kind of creepy - it just made me run a little faster to get by. I suppose that's life in the mountains. One big plus - the mile markers counted down from 26, so by the time I saw the '4 miles to go' sign (my old nemesis mile 22), I was very happy indeed. I thought this was a cool way to present the distance. There were a few spectators - friends and family of other runners - and very well-stocked aid stations with cold Gatorade and gels. One of the later stops had candy and fruit, and the stations were run by Army men and women. Many of the same soldiers had volunteered at the stations at the Idaho race the day before and it was inspiring to have them there. The weather was clear, dry, and a little warm; there were volunteers driving the course handing out water and gels in between aid stations. The Bear Lake series is highly recommended for runners looking to run a no hassle double and get two beautiful states finished. However, the Bear Lake Marathon by itself would be a tremendous race for a first-timer or a newcomer. The scenery is beautiful, the point-to-point course is both roll-y and flat.
E. G. from Cottonwood Heights, Utah (6/11/2013) "No Frills Marathon" (about: 2013) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Bear Lake Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 If you are looking for a marathon with bands, throngs of spectators, a huge party at the end, or clocks at every mile marker, you'll want to skip this marathon. However, if you want a well run marathon that delivers on a beautiful, accurate course, an affordable price, a couple hundred friendly runners, and ample support, you'll find it at the Bear Lake Marathon. The course is certainly challenging - in terms of rolling hills (no back breakers, but it seemed like the course was more uphill than not). Another challenge is that you'll be running at elevation (approximately 6000 feet). The course is run on roads around the lake. There is minimal car traffic at the start but the later miles, as you head back into town, you will have to pay attention to traffic. Also the race gets significantly warmer as the sun bakes the west side of the lake. The shirt is a high-quality tech shirt, the medal was interesting but certainly not the best I've gotten, and there was water / sports drink / gels every 2 miles (starting at mile 3.2). The start was pretty unassuming - a simple ready set go pretty much 5 minutes after the buses arrived. Also the buses to the race start were full and had standing room only. The finishing area had plenty of food, even for the late marathon finishers. Just don't expect a huge crowd of people cheering for you as you come in... again this is a small race. I would certainly run this marathon again. The course is absolutely stunning and it is a low pressure way to get Idaho or Utah off your 50-state list. Just keep your expectations in check and remember to enjoy the views. Tip: go to the lake afterwards and take an impromptu ice bath. I have never felt less sore after a marathon after having done that.

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Marathon Details - Bear Lake Marathon