Utah Valley Marathon - Race Reviews

This is one of the prettiest courses I have ever run, and the recent course adjustment fits right into that with a portion through a wooded area. The size of about 1,000 runners (in just the full) is also nice. It lacks the insane crowds of the big-city races, but it still has the chemistry of enough people around you. There is no crowd support for the first two-thirds of the race, since you are running through a park area at 67 a.m. with limited access. However, the support at the end is excellent. The 2023 race was well organized. However, I had two concerns. (1) The half-marathon runners really got in the way in the last seven or so miles. I wish people would run without headphones, since the people with headphones do not hear even loud calls to make room. (2) The race did not permit placing in two categories, and this created confusion at the awards ceremony. For example, a 41-year-old lady came second overall but was precluded from an overall placing since she was a master. Why she cannot place in both, I do not understand. This was particularly sensitive because there was prize money for those placings. The same went for other events such as Clydesdale and master's. The bottom line is that this is a picturesque marathon with a relatively fast course, if you are okay with altitude. If getting to Provo were not so difficult, I would likely do this every year.

Just finished my 500th Marathon yesterday June 5th 2021 And I am one of about 10 runners who is Legacy runner at this race having done it all 14 years now. The race is one of the best and most well organized race's in Utah. Hyrum Oaks the race director has done an incredible job over the years developing this race into one of Top rated events around. This year taking it up another notch in every aspect of the Race. From the pre-race expo and dinner. To the start line experience, the aid stations and the finish Line. The scenic beauty of this race is incredible. This is one for your bucket list!

I have run this race year after year and it only gets better. I love that they give Boston Qualifier Shirts. They have done Jackets and Shorts. Who does that? The views of the Canyons and the mountains are FREAKING AMAZING! One of my favorite parts is with like 2 miles left the do an Otter Pop that is amazing. At the finish, there is a Creamie Ice Cream and many other goodies. I also like to get a massage at the end. My kids love that they shut down downtown and they have inflatables for them to play. I have run many races and this is by far my favorite!

Consistently has the ugliest most ill fitting shirts of any marathon out there. Spend less on the medal and get better shirts. Never had a shirt that fit and boy are they hideous. Look at TOU, St George, Ogden for some awesome shirts you can wear on casual Friday's.

This is my 3rd UVM and the race keeps getting better every year. The start area has plenty of port-a-potties and has a very nice area to warm up by fire pits while you wait for the start. The race started on time and the aid stations were well stocked. The course is downhill but it is hilly. The combination of the hills and the severe downhill in the first 21 miles of the course makes the last flat 5 miles very painful. My legs were trashed by the time I got to mile 21. The course is still fast but your body will pay for that speed. You also have to be ready and in shape for the hills. I loved the finish line area, the huge medal, the food and the Boston Qualifier shirt that you get at the end (if you BQ'ed, they check). The PR Gong is also a fun addition to the finish line. You definitely get a lot for your registration price. My only complaint, all 3 years I have run it, is that the participant shirt is very ugly. For some reason they can't get the shirt right. A funny thing (not a complaint) is that in all 3 UVMs that I have run the bus driver to the start has gotten lost EVERY time. It's hilarious because it's not hard to get to the start line. I really love this race and as someone who has run many marathons I highly recommend it.

This is a very fast, downhill course, especially at the start. The first mile was my fastest and it felt like a jog. There are some tough hills on miles 8, 9 and 17 though. There was also a strong headwind around miles 16-18. The downhill tapers off the last 6 miles as you come out of the canyon, but you are still dropping 40-60ft per mile. I didn't have any problems with my quads, although I wasn't running as hard after stepping on a roofing nail at mile 17. I'm not sure if it was the altitude having any effect on me, but I did feel a bit off during the race. There aren't a whole lot of spectators on the course outside of the last few miles. There was a lot of traffic in that section, which lead to breathing a lot of car exhaust. There was also a number of bicyclists trying to take advantage of the closed roads. I was more than willing to play chicken with them to force them off our course. Apart from the race shirts not arriving on time, the organization was pretty good. The med staff was great and luckily I got there before the flood of runners with heat exhaustion.

Very fast course but also downhill for the vast majority. The views in the valley are breathe taking. Enjoy campfires at the start as the sun rises over the mountains. Lots of support once you enter Provo.

I had previously written a review of this race that expressed a concern about bicycles on the marathon course. The race director contacted me, thanked me for alerting him to the issue and said this was occurring without their knowledge. He explained that bikes are not allowed on the course and said they would take steps to get bikes off the course going forward. Kudos to the race director for responding so quickly to my concerns. Given this, I can enthusiastically recommend this race as one of the best!

I've run this race every year since its start (except its second year when I had a broken ankle) and it has always been one of my favorites. The course is fantastic with lots of incredible scenery and with enough downhill to give you a fast time if that's what you are after. However, there are also some big uphills so don't be surprised when you have to go chugging up those. Crowds are small but that's OK with me. I enjoy the serenity of a rural setting with views of mountains, trees, pastures with horses, barns, waterfalls, and a lot more incredible eye candy. However, one aspect of this race needs to be fixed before I will run it again. For some insane reasons, the race allows bicyclists to share the course with runners. Given the steep downhills, this means that you have cyclists roaring past you from behind doing 30-40 MPH. I was nearly run down and hit several times this year. It's only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or even killed. Most marathons I've run (and I've done a bunch around the U.S.) don't allow bikes on the course during the race  this marathon needs to follow this practice and protect its runners. If this problem is fixed, I'll be back. If not, I'll find another run where my life is not endangered.

Ahhh, yes, the Utah Valley Marathon. This was my 3rd marathon and my 1st in Utah; most the marathons around Salt Lake, Utah, and Davis counties start at the top of a canyon and bomb down it for most of the course before a flat finish, and this one is no different. Obviously this makes for a very strong chance that you could PR, but there are a few things one should know about this race. The course is amazing and beautiful. You start in high farm country (around 6,300 feet!) with rolling hills/mountains surrounding you for the first 8 miles or so before you really start your decent in earnest. Around the time you are leaving the farm country, you pass by a reservoir which also marks the first hills of the course. After these moderate rollers pass, it is major downhill for the next 8 or so miles. Here you are in the canyon and surrounded by mountains on all sides. The views are gorgeous, with Mt. Timp capturing most of your attention. Watch for Bridal Veil Falls on your left a little after 16.5. At just around this part of the race, the course hits another moderate uphill for a mile or so, this was probably one of the harder parts of the race as not only was there the hill, but there were really strong winds coming up the canyon. I'm not sure if that is typical (Salt Lake and Utah counties can get pretty windy), but just be aware that it definitely can happen. The final 6 miles are all flat (maybe slight downhill) headed towards Provo. For the 2016 race, the weather was great here as it was cloudy and around 65 with some sprinkling showers in the area; but I could imagine that during another year, this part would be very hot  just the day before it was sunny with a high of 97!! Some things things that were not so great about the Utah Valley Marathon: 1) The medal...it is fine, but seems generic. It is large and nicely made, but there's nothing really unique about it. Also, half the medal bears the title sponsor's name (meh...). 2) Organization - I'm mixed on this one. I'm mainly deducting points here because of the fiasco with the race shirts. Basically, the shirts were delayed in their shipping and therefore were not available at the expo nor on race day. Not really the marathon's fault, but maybe some extra time should have been built in when ordering the shirts, not really sure. 3) Value - The race is expensive! I suppose if you signed up early enough this wouldn't really be as much of a con, but when I signed up, the registration was about $105! 4) Crowd support - If you are the type of person that needs/wants crowds cheering you on the whole time, you might want to look else where. This isn't me, so I really enjoyed the quietness of the first 20 miles. Crowds pick up once out of the canyon for the last 6 miles. 5) Water station mix up - The race website stated water stations every 2 miles starting at mile 3; but then the race guide the runners were given at the expo stated water stations every 2 miles starting at mile 3 and then a water station every mile from 21 until the finish. The website was the correct source of information which caused me a bit of trouble in the final miles as I was expecting to have water/gatorade every mile at the end. Some things that were really good about the Utah Valley Marathon: 1) Organization - Like I said, I'm mixed on this one. Other than the shirt instance, the race was extremely well organized. There were plenty of buses to take runners to the start; great parking (I arrived about 30 minutes before the last bus left and got a spot in a lot right next to where the buses were picking up). 2) The course - Cannot be stated enough how beautiful it is! 3) Start area facilities - Great start area to wait at. Plenty of port-a-potties. Lots of fire pits (most with fires going). Water and gatorade at the start area too. Now if I could only figure out why they wanted us up there so early (waited 1.5 hours in a cow pasture  not as bad as it sounds). Overall, this is a great race and should definitely be one on your list of marathons, especially if you are in the area. If you are a 50 stater that is looking to cross Utah off your list, this is probably one of the best options! Tips: My impression of the busing situation seemed to reveal that you should probably shoot for getting on one of the last buses. Like I said before, there were plenty of buses when I arrived at the bus loading area about 30 minutes before the last bus was scheduled, and the buses were not leaving until they were mostly full. If I were to do it again, I would take a late bus so that I could sleep in more and not spend as much time waiting at the start area. Be prepared for uphills around mile 8-9 and again around 16. Also, be aware how much running downhill will kill your quads as you still have to run 6 miles on flat ground at the end. Be prepared for the potential of heat especially during the last 6 miles (not an issue for 2016, but other years it could be).

If you are anything like me, you are reading these reviews looking for a fast course to help you reach that elusive BQ time or other marathoning goal. You are wondering if Utah Valley might be the race for you. Well, in my opinion, YES, this is a FAST course, but it is not a 'gimme.' Some runners will do better here than others. Here are some considerations: 1) Altitude: I happen to live in Salt Lake City so I am used to running at higher altitude. My conclusion after reading reviews on here and talking with some people on the course is that those from sea level will feel the thinner air to a degree, but I woudn't let it scare you. 2) Weather - The average temps for June in this area are pretty high. I personally don't run well in anything much higher than 60 degrees, but because the race starts at such high altitude, the heat really wasn't a factor for me until the last 6 miles. I took plenty of electrolytes before and during the race and the volunteers and supporters did a lot to help keep us cool those last few miles (otter pops, sprinklers, etc.) I never cramped up. Wind was not a factor this year, but is always a possibility. Seems no matter what you'll have to deal to some degree with less than ideal weather conditions at this race. Just be prepared for that and you'll be fine 3. Hills - this race feels like its 80 percent downhill with a few pretty difficult uphills thrown in (the one at miles 8 was particularly memorable). Some people run downhill better than others. I thought my quads would have been really torn up, but they didn't feel any different from any other marathon. Of course, again, because I live in Utah, where there is no 'flat' terrain, I train on a lot of uphills and downhills. So my advice would be to train with downhills as best as you are able. So, just to give you an idea of how I did on the course, I was injured in March had to take over a month off of running completely. I scrapped my plan to run Ogden to May and decided to run Utah Valley instead. I only got in 3 full weeks of training plus my taper after being injured and PRed by 1:25 minutes at Utah Valley, running my first ever negative split. So yeah. . . I would say its fast. As for Provo, it has a cute downtown, but its not somewhere I would want to spend a great deal of time (head to SLC or Park City for better sight seeing). We tried to find a restaurant with good reviews nearby, but it was truly terrible. The host hotel was just ok, but they allowed a noon checkout and free parking so i cant complain. I would do this race again!

This race takes the cake. I have never seen more beautiful country. I loved the pr bell. The course is faster than some of these reviews stated, because that bell was ringing constantly from people setting their pr.... myself included.

Great day to run my 136th marathon. There is a safety issue at the finish line. People, particularly small children, dart out to run with a runner through the finish line. This is sometimes done without looking. The finish line should be reserved for runners only so runners and/or kids are not hurt Family should meet afterwards. I almost ran into one kid who wasn't looking.

This marathon looked like a beautiful and fast course. It is beautiful, but it is a really tough marathon. Much of it is downhill, but this can be tough on the legs. The uphills were a shock to me and the altitude, though not great, caused much decline in my performance. I was 30 minutes slower than a marathon run 3 wk before. The wind was unwelcome for this year, but nothing can be done about that. It is a wonderful experience, but this is a really tough marathon. Just remember that. The course is beautiful if tough, the organization was great, and the people were fantastic. But for a low lander, this marathon kicked my ___.

This race is well worth doing. It's well organized. The staging area with the fire pits created a great place to talk to other runners before the start. The course is great. Mostly down hill with extended ups, but nothing two steep to bother me to much. (maybe because I live in Denver and am no stranger to hills) But it is a stunning course for a road race. Not much crowd support in the canyon, but that is to be expected. (not many places to park) But more support once you get into Provo. We got lucky on the temp, it was by far the coolest day of that week. But it was a bit windy in the canyon. A not that weather in the mountain west varies to a huge amount so some years you might be snow at the start of the race or other years it could be in the mid to upper 80s by the end of the race. But all in all a great race.

I PR'd by 5+ minutes and broke 3 hours for the first time. Does that mean this race is too easy, given the downhill point-to-point course? Sorta. Running downhill does wreck the quads, the altitude is high, a headwind hit us leaving the canyon, and it was very warm. I say that to make myself feel better about the accomplishment, given that it felt like 70% of the time we were running downhill. That noted, this was a very well done midsized marathon. My thoughts: Pros: + Efficient transportation to start, good staging area organization + Beautiful scenery + Very kind volunteers + BQ t-shirt, PR bell, nice medal + Fast course + Cheap hotels, transportation, etc. Con: + Very little crowd support All-in-all, I would recommend this to anyone, but especially those interested in checking off Utah

I read so many reviews on this race before I decided to jump into running this race. Just like what the reviews said, it is a very beautiful course. You see beautiful countryside, fields of grass with horses running around in spectacular mountain backdrops. You can even see snow on top of the mountains in mid June. I love the camp fire setup with music playing before the race. A lot of runners gather around the fire to keep warm. It was early enough u can still see the stars and moon. It was this experience itself worth signing up this race. But it is not an easy course. Majority of the time was downhill, but the high attitude and the long stretch uphills from mile 7-9 and another smaller uphill on mile 16 can be a killer with the combination of the high attitude and trying to keep up the pace. I come from sea level Los Angeles, it took me around 5-6 miles to get used to the thinner air. But as I ran to the lower attitude, more oxygen kicked in, then the high attitude became not a factor. This race is very well organized, they planned everything so well. I did the Big Cottonwood last Sept near SLC, comparing these two I would have picked Big Cottonwood as my first choice. BCW doesn't have any uphill but instead, it has steeper downhills. UVM's downhills are not as steep. UVM's last few miles are all gentle downhills whereas BCW's last 10 miles are flat. SLC has more things to do afterward or before the race whereas Provo has not much to do. If I will do this race again, I would focus on enjoying the scenery and the surroundings more.

The course is beautiful. The aid stations in the middle of the downhill was a difficult place. Aid stations at the top of the uphill would be a much better place for a runner. Also more bathrooms would be helpful.

This race is probably has a more scenic course than any other race I have ever done. The first half goes down Provo Canyon with towering cliffs on both sides. Nice job on course selection!

This race is phenomenal. The course is fast and beautiful. I love the way how this race doesn't wind you up and down random city streets to kill off the last few miles. It is a straight shot from Provo canyon to the finish line at the middle of Provo City. The volunteers were awesome and you don't get better views than Provo Canyon. The temperature was fantastic and the food was great. They have one of the best pre-race expos that I've seen. I absolutely loved this race, and I'll do it again for sure!

I picked this race mostly to visit an ex-boss in SLC and was hoping that the 'fast, easy' course would offset the altitude which my home in Ohio doesn't have. It didn't happen; this course was net downhill alright but also contained several inclines that were long although not really steep. The veterans talked about a breeze from around 7 to 20 but it didn't materialize on this sunny, above average temperature day. Heard locals' talking about a screw-up on the porta-john delivery so it seemed like that problem was accidental and not poor design. A significant portion of the course was a wide divided highway with half of it reserved for runners so you really have to be disciplined about the taper or you'll run 26.6 like I did (or more). I switched my reservation late to the Marriott near the finish upon discovering that the host hotel advertised as near the start was not only NOT near the start but there was also no return transportation to it post-race. There is a metro-rail but I didn't attempt to figure out if it would be possible to manage this trip without a rental car. The Expo was pretty good (and convenient to the Marriott). I don't generally choose point-to-point races but the bus transportation to the (three miles past the middle of nowhere) start was plentiful and well organized. Not a lot of crowd support until you got down into the Valley near the end. There were more water stops toward the end but I was glad I carried extra. Nice shirt, solid medal and the views were nice but there are gobs of marathons in Utah and while this one wasn't bad, I came away nonplussed and feeling like I might have found a better one had I looked harder.

Favorite parts: *being driven up the mountain in the dark *waiting under the stars by the bonfires before the start *frequent, well-staffed water stops *oranges at 3-4 stops! not just bananas! *finishing Challenges: *waking up for the 3 AM bus *every incline *altitude (I live close to sea level) *last six miles (true of every marathon) Suggestions: Post map at expo with bus pick-up place clearly marked Supply every water stop with course map & amenities clearly marked (e.g. vaseline, oranges, porta-potties) Other: The PR bell is a great idea. I didn't see it at the end of the course, but I didn't PR either. Expo was small but nice. People were wonderful. Kudos to Hyrum Oaks and all of his volunteers!

OK, so no porta potties but the race organizers sent an apology email and the company will not be used again. The expo was nice for a small run, packet pickup was easy, course was challenging but the uphills were welcome with the downhill grades for most miles. The Marriott was a great host hotel, they shuttled the half marathoners to their buses before the start, this saved runners from driving and leaving a car, full marathoners only had to cross the street for their buses, special pasta dinner the night before,great job all the way around Marriott. If you are a 50 stater and need Utah I recommend this run.

Negitives: 1. Lack of Porta Potties. As luck would have it, this was one of only 3 of my 15 marathons completed where I had serious GI issues- starting about mile 5. At each aid station I was told there would be porta potties in 2 more miles. Finally at mile 12.5 there was a construction site with 1 porta pottie and had to wait in line 20 minuted to use it, only to find out that the half start was only a half mile further with ample facilities. Oh well, I got my slowest time ever but just took it easy and tried to enjoy the rest of the course. 2. The bag pick up at the end. Our clothing bags were just out in the open on the edge of the street with no apparent supervision and anyone could come off the street and grab a bag. My cell phone and wallet was in my bag and I found the lack of security there completely unacceptable. Positives: 1. A very scenic course. 2. Really cool tech tee-shirt.

I live in Littleton, CO so I am pretty accustomed to hills and definitely the altitude. This course is advertised as 'downhill' and 'fast' and I beg to differ. This was my 2nd marathon; my first was the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon (which is another net downhill BQ course). Milwaukee was hands-down MUCH better than UVM. While there is quite a bit of downhill, the uphill comes in long stretches (from mile 7.5-9.5 is a long stretch to keep a pace with a grade). I don't like how the course is advertised as 'pretty much all down hill'. It's not. If you look at the scale on the altitude graph it goes up by 500ft (when usually graphs go up by about 50ft). If you take it and actually stretch it vertically, you would see the altitude changes are much more drastic than it appears. While the course was definitely pretty, I would take a run in Denver over this in a heart-beat. Even with my disappointment in the course, the organization was phenomenal. The aide stations were plentiful and the volunteers were exceptional. I really liked how there was a banner at mile 19 that said 'conquer the wall'- that was a very cute touch. I guess I wouldn't have been as upset with the uphills if I had known to prepare for them more. Obviously, living in Denver I have plenty of hills around me, but after looking at reviews and the course profile, I stuck to mostly flat training and even downhill training to get the right muscles in shape. I could have read the chart better, however this was the first time I've seen that happen. If you are a serious runner and trying to BQ there are much better/faster courses that offer just as nice scenery. I HIGHLY recommend doing the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon. It is just as small with the same organization (or better if possible), with more spectators and a MUCH faster course.

Here is the info on the 'portable bathrooms' straight from the events email.' Portable bathrooms will be located at the start, finish, and every two miles along the full and half-marathon course (beginning at mile 3 for the marathon)'. There were only portable bathrooms at the start and half point. Please don't charge premium $$ for a sub par event.

I am a Marathon Maniac and ran this marathon because it was a reunion for our group- I had a wonderful visit to Utah and spent a few days sightseeing, and highly recommend the marathon as a part of a vacation- However, I was disappointed with the actual race- What was tough for me: -altitude challenging for someone like me who lives at sea level -running on a concrete highway (rumble strips and all) with a 30+mph headwind with car emissions emanating next to me was not fun -start area has lots of bonfires to keep us warm but there was no way to avoid the smoke and it was tough to inhale so much smoke before the race (plus the terrain was grass and mud) -it was tough for me to get my bag to the baggage truck due its placement; they had to get a 2nd truck b/c the first one filled to capacity -most of the food/beverages gone by the time I finished (just under 6 hours) On the bright side: -treated the Marathon Maniacs like kings and queens; thank you!!! -gorgeous scenery! -Marriott staff did the best they could during the renovation to help direct us and help us -nice expo -helpful pre-race information I wish I could say I loved this marathon- I *did* love the Maniacs reunion though!! I'm doing the 50 states so won't run another marathon in Utah but if I did I think I'd look at other ones.

The course is totally stunning. Mountains, waterfalls, streams and rivers, lakes, snow on the mountain, lots of downhill, some significant uphill. The organization is flawless and the volunteers at the aid stations are terrific. There are quite a few spectators in the last six miles but not many good spectating spots before that. My only suggestion for improvement would be to completely shut down traffic by the runners during the section down Provo Canyon. Even though the running lane is sectioned off very well, it's a bit distracting to have cars on the same road. Great event, great course! I'll be back again.

Well organized event and beautiful course. Fantastic volunteers from start to finish. Few if any spectators along the marathon route. However, the large crowd alongside the finishing chute had great energy and were very supportive. Well worth the drive from Seattle!

Otter pops at mile 23. Cold, sweet and so great. Nothing else needs to be said: great marathon.

My husband and I ran this race for our anniversary and had a fabulous time visiting Utah and running the race. Thanks to the comments from previous years, I brought an old sleeping bag with us to the start so we took the earliest bus and then relaxed in a field, near a fire, under the stars as we watched the sun rise and anticipated our race. The organization of getting all those folks to the start was incredible. From the packet pick up, to the bus loading, the bag check, to the aide stations - it was clockwork - with happy knowledgeable volunteers excited to share their beautiful canyon. The course is breathtaking and should have been fast  you will see from comparing the average finish times over the years that Mother Nature was not with us in 2012. A strong south wind took any advantage the downhill grade gave and the warm temperatures may have kept PRs at bay. Oh well&more time to enjoy the waterfalls and wildlife. This finishers medal was really cool, the tech shirt was great quality and fit. They had a really neat timing system with touch screen computers and little receipt printers that gave you a summary of your time within minutes of finishing. These finish time printouts also provided proof to pick up a really nice long sleeve Boston qualifier tech shirt. There were photographers along the way to capture the beauty and excitement and the photos were online very soon after the race. This is a 5 star race!

The Marriott did a fine job given they are under major renovation and the packet pick-up was simple and quick.Volunteers on the course were great but given the heat more water stops in the later miles would be great. The bus trip to the start was easy and on time and there were a sufficient amount of potties. Bag check was easy, just throw it in the truck. My issue was the course and many people had the same complaint. The advertising for the course slants it to an easy Boston qualifier, that is not the case unless you are used to mountains and altitude. While it is downhill there is so much uphill that flatlanders will find it very difficult. My husband said it was harder than Boston which he has run twice. It is however a beautiful course, one of the prettiest I have run. As long as you are not trying to BQ, this is a great race. Police support for traffic was excellent and everyone was very nice. It was tough to find water at the finish line, it should be on both sides after the medals. I couldn't find it through the volunteers giving out the medals and it was very hot. I found chocolate milk, fruit, popsicles but nothing else. Pizza would be great. There was a vendor area but I didn't go that far, maybe I missed stuff? Aid tent was great. The medal is nice but a long sleeve shirt would have been nice rather than the short sleeve.I am a 50 stater so I won't return but it is a very nice marathon. By all means, make a dinner reservation at Communal, 1 block from the finish. Liked it so much I ate there two nights. Fit for foodies with fresh local meats and vegetables.

This is one of the most beautiful marathon courses I've ran (and I've ran 22 marathons). Being from Minnesota, I was concerned about the elevation but it did not seem to be a factor for me, although I heard some people from Arizona complaining about it during the first few miles. This course had many more uphills than I would have thought, but it was nice to change things up with some uphills and downhills. For those that are looking for a lot of crowd support along the course, this race may not be for you. I really liked being able to see the finish line for the last couple miles...this way there was no being fooled by 'helpful' spectators or volunteers telling you the finish is 'just around that corner.' The organization was great, from the expo, through the race, all the way to the finish. One area for improvement would be the shuttle buses prior to the race. So many bus drivers got lost on the way to the start (which actually ended up working out a little since it gave us more time in the warmth of the bus). The organizers did their best to try to keep us warm with bonfires in the starting area, but I didn't want to smell bonfire for the next several hours so I avoided the warmth of the fires. Finishers medals were nice and the t-shirts were ok. The t-shirts were sized a little funny though, there was a huge difference between the small and medium. I am trying to do as many states as I can so I won't be back to run this one again...but I would definitely recommend it!

Love the course ! I traveled from Mississippi to run this race in my 50 state quest. This was Marathon 51 and one of my favorites ever! The course was amazing and a true joy to run. I initially had one complaint - no photographers! Ugh, a beautiful course and I ended up with only one picture of me running, and it was a half a mile from finish line - in front of a bank. BUT, I got a nice update from the race director who was extremely disappointed with their photo service and has changed to another service. So, I guess my one complaint has been addressed. I do plan to return and run this race again with my wife and daughter. Its gorgeous. (Note: For 50 state runners, this race is usually on a Saturday. The Bear Lake Idaho marathon is on Friday, and Wyoming has a marathon in June on a Sunday. If you time it right, you can run three states in three days, all within a few hours drive.)

I enjoyed the actual race very much but I have some problems with the 'details'. For starters I chose this race as my birthday race but couldn't find a single thing pertaining to the race with the date on it. I know this is a minor detail but I run a lot of races & like to make collages or boards with the memorabilia so this missed detail was pretty annoying. My major complaint has to do with the hours leading up to the start. Yes, it's a long (26 mile) drive on a winding road but the busses that we were encouraged (forced) to take dropped us off soooooo early. It was dark (to be expected) & very cold (less expected) with only fire rings in the road for light & warmth. No where to sit, see or stay warm. After a while, no where to breathe since the wood fuel ran out about an hour too early folks were just grabbing anything (boxes w/tape on them, plants ripped out of the ground) that might burn. Standing on pavement in the cold for 2hrs breathing toxic fumes was not the best start to an endurance race. A simple fix? Advise runners to bring WARM clothes & something to sit/lay on for hours. Or at the start, or expo, hand out the foil blankets that other races give you when you finish. Once we got going it was wonderful!

An almost perfect marathon. I won't repeat the course description, except to agree it is mostly gorgeous. Every detail was taken care of from start to finish. I'll add: wonderful RD and volunteers, small expo in host hotel with good rates and buses 1 block away, and 2 blocks from finish, with some good Italian and other restaurants within walking distance. Special shout out to the KT tape guy who taped my ankle and to Margies(?) Italian on the corner of Main Street, perfect size in field and separate start for half so it's just marathoners (rare these days) flat last 10K, wonderful finishing area in middle of street and 2 parks on either side. Kudos for the giant ice bath in the whirlpool jacuzzi, I'd never seen that before, and the instant times, and the BQ l.s. shirts upon proof of BQ time (a first for that too). lots of food, etc. etc. All round, a wonderful marathon that I'd highly recommend and run again if I weren't the 50 states.

In the last couple years I have run Barcelona, Vienna and Milan. The race organization was just a good if not better as these big city races. Great variety of water, sports drinks, fruit and GU at the stops. Loved the stops at mile 25,24 & 23 as I tend to get a bit dehydrated at the end. You substitute great scenery for city crowds for the first 20 miles of the race but it was a nice change of pace. I trained in the Middle East but altitude not much of a factor since I recorded a Marathon PB. This is probably the best small Marathon going and an excellent Boston Qualifier.