I had been nervous about this race because I didn't have a lot of experience running hills, but IMO the hills were just not that bad. I did this course 14 minutes faster than any of my previous marathons (all in the flat midwest). The second half of the course is faster than the first, so as long as you pace yourself and prepare for that, you shouldn't have any problems.
It's hard to wake-up so early for a long busride to the top, but the organization was great. Loved the bonfires at the top  just wished more were going right away.
This is a big marathon (15th largest), so it took me 7 minutes to cross the start line  different from my past races (2-3 minutes).
The scenery was really nice, so I didn't mind the lack of spectators (until the last 4 miles).
The volunteers and organizers were great. There seems to be a lot of love for this race. Everyone is happy to be there.
Hope I can do this one again!

I've known about the St. George Marathon as long as I'd been doing this sport (more than 15 years). I finally bit the bullet and have to say that the race exceeded all expectations.

I understood there was a 2,500 ft. drop, had studied the elevation chart, and read several detailed race reports, BUT nothing quite prepared me for what 2,500 ft. drop would look like. My jaw dropped as we were riding the bus from the finish area to the start. Even though it was dark, I was stunned by the downhill. I knew it was either going to be a disaster or a fast time. I was leaning toward the latter and was correct.

It was a BQ by more than 11 mins., my second fastest marathon, and fastest in ten years - and I'm not getting any younger. The downhill didn't hurt much at all as I was running it, but I was definitely VERY sore the next day. It was worth it though.

Running this course does require some strategy. A couple of the people I traveled with were surprised by the uphill during the first ten miles, but I didn't think it was that bad. In other words, it's not all downhill.

The course itself was beautiful in parts, but can't be compared to something like Big Sur.

As for the organization, I thought it was as close to flawless as any marathon I've done. I was grateful for the extra water stops during the second half because it does tend to get warm during the second half of this race. The post-race was great, medal was unique, and I loved the shirt (although I realize there were complaints about the men's shirts).

My giving the spectators five stars because they were very numerous and enthusiastic once we got into town. I was surprised by the number of spectators during those last few miles.

My complaints are minor: The bus loading was a little chaotic. Also, we attended the pasta dinner the night before and unfortunately it was pretty bad. The people couldn't have been nicer, but the food was barely edible (cold pasta, soggy salad). I certainly wasn't expecting a gourmet meal, but this was really bad.

I waited on the porta john line about 15 mins. at the start, which I think is standard 45 minutes before the gun goes off in a decent-size marathon.

I think every marathoner should do this race once, especially if he/she likes to travel. We went to Zion the next day and loved it.

St. George Marathon was my 100th lifetime marathon and I was happy to have the opportunity to be doing my 100th in St. George, as I didn't enter the lottery but was offered a sponsor entry a month before the race.
The course was very nice, although not quite 5 stars, but did get nicer and nicer as the marathon progressed.
The race organization was top notch from the race expo to race day to the finishers area with all kinds of good treats for runners. Only complaint was not enough porta potties at the start (thank heavens for the cover of darkness and some nearby bushes).
I'd repeat this race again and loved the 2,500' net elevation drop that helped me to an 8 minute PR (3:33 finish).

St. George Marathon
Saturday, October 6, 2012, 6:45 AM
St. George, Utah

St. George, founded by Brigham Young in 1861, is located in southwestern part of Utah, about 120 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Its population is approximately 73,000. I flew into St. George, via Salt Lake City, on Thursday night, picked up the rental car, & checked into Days Inn (a few blocks from the finish line).

The packet pick-up on Friday was from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Dixie Center. There was also a health & fitness expo with several speakers & a large number of vendors. Each runner received a technical long-sleeved shirt, a race poster, & a few food items. The pasta dinner was from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, the food was good, & the cost was $10.

At 4:00 AM, buses began transporting the runners from the finish line area at Worthen Park to the start line at the small town of Central. It was chilly & windy up there. Bonfires, coffee, & hot chocolates kept the runners warm while we were waiting for the start of the run at 6:45 AM. Our clothing bags were transported to the finish area. We ran the first hour of the marathon in the dark. Temperature ranged from low 50s to low 80s. It was a beautiful sunny day & we also enjoyed some tail winds. We ran north to south on SR-18, which was closed to traffic. At about mile 23, we entered the town. Elevation at the start was 5240 feet & 2680 feet at the finish line. Due to downhill nature of the course, it is regarded as a fast marathon. There were two lengthy climbs between miles 7 & 11, though. The course was scenic & I made several stops to take photos. There were pacers. Splits were displayed digitally. There were spectators in a few locations. There were a few school bands after mile 24. There were 15 water/sports drink stations in the course; some also offered sports gels, fruits, Vaseline, & to my surprise, leg massages! The finishers medal was nice & there were plenty of recovery drinks & food items at the finish line. The race volunteers were amazing. In short, it was a professionally organized running event which demonstrated community pride & involvement at their best. No wonder so many want to run this marathon & entry is by lottery drawing!

There were 5696 (3106 males, 2590 females) finishers in the average time of 4:19:30. The winning times were 2:21:14 (overall male) & 2:43:00 (overall female).

This was my 96th marathon & I truly enjoyed it.

This was my first time running St. George. I didn't think the hill from mile 7 to 12 was very difficult; it looks more imposing as you see it ahead. I had been worried about the altitude (I train at sea level), but I didnt notice any issues with that. My key learnings were that I should not have worn racing flats, and I probably shouldn't have woken up so early (for one of the first buses). I wore very light 6oz racing flats (NB MRC1600). I have used these on my long runs, but they did not have enough cushioning for the pounding of the downhills. As to the early buses, they really encourage this as they use all of the buses in the county and have to make multiple trips to get everyone up to the top. This year the weather was nice at the top, so it wasn't so bad (and the bonfires were nice). But, I'd think an hour extra sleep would have been better. Those both are minor nits; I loved the course, the people were great, and I set a PR (3:04). I will certainly try to run this race again (though wearing regular trainers next time)

Wow, what a stunning course! You start in cold, windy darkness as you make your way down Rt. 18. The extensive downhills were not only a great way to pick up time, but also an opportunity to see the stunning Red rock backdrop of Southern Utah. The hills from 7-12 are tough but approach them cautiously and you can set yourself up for negative splits in the second half. Being a runner who frequently walks extended portions of the latter part of the race, the downhills after mile 16 can help make up some of the lost time due to walking. A big shout out to all who served the aid stations, quickly providing liquids and first aid cheerfully. More moderate weather than previous years definitely helped as well. I've loved the experience of all 8 of the marathons I've run, but I don't know how any other race can top this one if you can deal with more modest (but still bring it) fan support and a curvy course

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.

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

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.

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.