Big Cottonwood Marathon - Race Reviews

This was my first marathon and the worst bits were the training (in Austin TX in a lot of heat and humidity) and the early start in race day. I thought the organisation of the event was impeccable and have no idea how they can do and give so much for so little money. The shirt/cup/medal/photos alone seem just about worth the entry fee and everything went incredibly smoothly. I got REALLY lucky in that I picked up my bib as Coach Paul was starting his talk about how to run the races. He was about my age and a really good communicator. He's run a gazillion marathons and is the Coach for this and other Revel races. I strongly recommend using him, particularly if you train in TX or other hot places. Anyway, I don't think I would have come close to running the time I did without the excellent prep that he enabled for us, just in a one hour session. It meant the course held no surprises for me and I was able to keep spirits up the whole way (well at least until torrential rain made my shirt and shoes/socks weight 5lb more!). He did say to run at a 7/10 effort and unfortunately I only committed to 5/10 for most of the course, but knew exactly when to hit 7 on a couple of uphills. He showed us how much variation there was in his times (a minute and half delta between the fast and slow miles) and that helped me tremendously. I didn't love the early start or darkness and cold in the staging area, but once we began, time really flew. I didn't spend as much time enjoying the scenery as id assumed I would, but there were some special moments. The "out and back" wasn't half as bad as Paul had prepped us for and probably the steeper downhill sections challenged me more than the very few uphills. I finished WAY too fresh (as a result of just not trying hard enough) but as I write this on day 3, I feel 80% recovered (massage yesterday helped). Quads are less sore than they would be after a days water skiing (or after a PT session if I haven't been for a while). I can't think of no reason not to run the BCC and lots of reasons to run it. Yes, I guess the time flatters me as I'm sure I wouldn't do that on the flat, but it was a really nice ease-in to running. I'd never run more than 6 miles pre-Covid and intend to stop when/if it receded, but I'm really glad I did this marathon and would encourage you to consider it - and maybe make a weekend of it by staying in Park City.

I loved the canyon for the scenery but not so much for the running. I felt like the downhill was a little to steep. By mile 16 my legs were really starting to hurt when usually that happens much later in the race. I actually found the out-and-back section with rolling hills to be helpful in saving my legs from going completely out on me. The downhill sections in the last few miles just hurt when usually I would find them helpful. It took my legs forever to recover. I can see why many love this race but I don't think I would run it again out of love for my body. The weather was perfect though!

My experience at the Big Cottonwood Marathon echoes many other reviews here. The pros: really well organized  top notch on all accounts. The cons  'fast' course not all it's cracked up to be. The first 18 miles are beautiful and screaming downhill. Once I hit 19, the wheels fell off. Part of this was my training was inconsistent over the summer, but that change to rollers/uphill was brutal. Moreover, the out and back is not a pleasant, scenic run, and the last three miles (running into town) put us running down the middle turn lane, with traffic moving on either side. Demoralizing is the best word for it. I know a lot of people PR/BQ here, but a lot more seem to fall apart. I have run Top of Utah, Ogden, and Utah Valley twice each. I have BQ'd in the latter two. For my money, Utah Valley has the most run-able net downhill course. I wouldn't run this one again.

Be warned, if you do not have the ability to train on 1,000 foot drops, this is not the race for you. Everyone's like 'you'll be fine if you're trained.' Um, no. My legs took a beating and I am a trained avid marathoner. The course is REALLY STEEP. The course is STUNNING... up until mile 18. At mile 18, you do an out and back near the quarry, and it was the absolute worst. You're running along a busy highway in cones, it's getting hot, it's slightly up hill, you're running along traffic, it's getting hot...you get the idea. It really was awful. The organization of this race was top-notch. The aid stations and volunteers were top notch. The ratio of water stations was top notch. REVEL really knows how to put on a marathon. Besides the course, it was a quality race. I will never do that elevation drop again (east-coaster), but a quality event.

It's the tale of two races; the first 19, then the last 7. Expect screaming downhill with a hill at mile 3 in the first 19. After that, it's 2-3 miles uphill in a stark urban area (with cars), then somewhat of more downhill right down the middle of a street with traffic on both sides to the endmade no sense. Finish area is stark. Pluses: efficient buses to the start, on-time start, VERY FRIENDLY volunteers, spectacular scenery, cool temps to start, sun at your back until mile 21, nice medal and shirt, updated emails/Facebook all week long, fast results, free photos, tons of gels/fruit on the course. Need to rethink: Last 7 miles - way too much traffic, very few water stops, lifeless and teeny expo, no clocks, no energy at the finish line. Be prepared for tons of downhill - they warned you and they're right - you'll have pain in spots you didn't know you had as well in the spots you're expecting. A lot of BQs but more that missed their goals.

My second Big Cottonwood and didn't expect the second half had been changed to the terrible out and back. Last year was so much better ! Everything was wonderful, great first course and just absolutely beautiful but the 18-23 miles out and back uphills after 16 miles of steep downhill just pure awful... Hope they will change it back, otherwise they will lose a lot of runners who came here to run a downhill course, PR or BQ.

I came to run this race to try to PR with it's downhill course.That PR would have been possible were it not for the brutal out and back that involved a lengthy climb up after getting spoiled going down the canyon. The out and back felt like a separate race being hot and brutal vs chilly and fast at the start. Good luck on setting a PR if you come at low elevation. The medal, swag and post race massage were top notch. Great folks volunteering too.

This marathon touts itself as a BQ, but the 15 miles of steep downhill through the canyon will beat up your body and then you run a tough out & back 8 miles that is pretty much flat. The last 3 miles is flat/downhill but you run along a road that is partially blocked off with cars stuck in traffic, idling. There are hardly any spectators along the course. Yes, the run down the canyon is scenic, but don't be fooled that it's a fast course. The start was delayed by 25 minutes (which caused us to run in hotter weather at the end) because they ran out of buses to get people to the start. It was delayed the year before also. Again, I've never run a marathon that was more than a couple minutes late in starting. The medal was great and the shirt was nice. Just be aware what you're getting yourself into when you sign up for this race. Doesn't always believe all the hype!

The canyon was amazing! It is a fast downhill course, but Wasatch Blvd. was horrible. They had a problem with the buses so we started 26 min. late which meant the Wasatch Blvd. portion was really hot. The volunteers were awesome and the shirts, medals and finish of race were really good. The expo was well run as well. Starting on time and possibly earlier like 6:30 and changing the Wasatch Blvd. Would make this race perfect. Overall I was very impressed and did PR.

The course last year, IMO was way better - the out-n-back was brutal. The aid stations where the 1/2 marathoners and full overlapped were too busy and they couldn't keep up with demand. One of the aid stations was actually on the opposite side of the road and there was a lot of traffic coming that direction. I really do like this race but there have been changes to the course every year. I wish they would keep the 2nd year course. Also, a 6:30 start time to stay out of the heat a bit more would be awesome. This race has grown a ton over the 3 years and they have had growing pains especially with busing, hopefully those will be worked out. Everyone was really nice and friendly. The finish line was great! Medals and swag are top notch.

Running down the canyon was awesome. Really pretty and fast. But then the out and back portion of the run was the worst! Hated it...it was so demoralizing seeing mile markers on the other side of the road at which you were not even close to arriving, and then turning around to see the exact same scenery for the next 5 miles was no fun either. I would think twice about running this just because of that portion of the marathon. It is that bad!

I loved the run through the canyon. The aid stations were well-stocked, and the volunteers were enthusiastic. I did not love the run along Wastach Blvd, and there were some kinks with the later buses going to the start. Overall, I liked this race and will most likely run it again in the future.

Great marathon, my 3rd one and I PR'd! The start was half an hour late, which made for the last part of the race (and the uphill) to be in some hot sun. Otherwise, the course was wonderfully downhill and incredibly scenic in the cool morning shadows of the canyon. The spectators were only from around mile 16 to the finish, which I thought was wonderful, as no crowd support was needed in the canyon as it was so gorgeous and peaceful. It was so fantastic to have the crowd support during the tougher part of the race (Shoutout to Darth Vader, the Admiral and the stormtrooper!) The organization was great and whoever thought of handing out cold towels at the finish was a lifesaver! I've heard comments of this race being too expensive and too crowded, but I have to say that was not my experience. There were a lot of runners, but I never felt like I was not able to pass people or move to the side if I needed to. Revel does give you your race photos and videos free, which I thought was awesome, and I loved the swag bag (gloves and emergency blankets for the start were great!).I thought it was a fair price for the quality of the race and will definitely be registering for next year.

No one was present between parking and buses to direct half and full participants to their respective (distinct) bus areas. If you count on buses making round tips pick people up, you will start late; if you start late, it will be hotter; when its hotter, times are slower and medical issues are more prevalent. There were not enough aid stations or large enough aid station to service all the runners.

Loved the course & the views through the canyon. But once out of the canyon, running along highland dr was blah

Very fun marathon, needs a new start location

Awesome course! Nice, fast downhill course without being too steep. The race organizers did a great job with shirts and swag. I'll run this one every year.

Wish they'd keep a limit on how many people can enter. Used to be a fun small race but now it's become all about making money. Wish the price would stop going up every year too. Motivates me to consider other races in the future.

The race was amazing. It is such a gorgeous run and the time of year to run this is perfect. The race is very well organized and the people are very helpful. Such a great experience.

The canyon was my favorite part of the race. Wasn't too steep and made me feel great. After heading out of the canyon, I really disliked the last portion of the marathon. So long and flat. I'm looking forward to the half this year.

This was a fantastic race. I loved it and would do it again in a heartbeat. So well organized, beautiful course, great finish line. Even with the little hiccup with the bus at the start line and a bit of a late start you held everything together so well. Thanks for the experience!!

Beautiful. Friendly. Fast

I had a wonderful experience participating in the Big Cottonwood Marathon. I loved the shirts and the medal. It was super organized. I would have liked to have more of the race in the canyon. Nevertheless, I will surely do it again!

I've done the marathon both years and loved it so much I don't want to miss a year. The organizers do a wonderful job and you won't find another race with this much downhill. I'll Go Big Forever!

Running down the last 6 miles on busy city street is horrible. The canyon is amazing and the trail is good too. Too much on a 6 lane highway though.

This is a great race if you are trained - but you better come prepared for downhill. I love downhill but I underestimated it - even the second time. I was tired going into it so I knew it wouldn't be my best but I am going back to conquer this beast in 2014 and hopefully BQ!

Atop the canyon, you can enjoy the sunrise as you prepare your fast pace descent to the flat part of the course. However, beware if you are not used to steep hills, you could run out of steam for the later part of the race. I enjoyed the challenge and will be back, as the organizing committee put on a great race, with a great team of volunteers who helped along the course.

This was my first marathon. The bus ahead of us tried to take a sharp left instead of going all the way to Brighton Ski Resort to turn around and go up Guardsman Way. It was stuck and we had to walk to the starting line. The course was nice but the down hill pounding got to me. A couple of miles out of the canyon (mile 21-25 maybe)the canyon run is over and the course isn't as interesting. Probably not much that can be done about it. Running on Highland drive is no fun. Other than that the staff was very professional, and it was a fun race. I am looking forward to next year and getting a PR.

Loved this run, oh except the late start.

I'm not a super experienced marathon runner, but I think this one is fantastic. It is well organized. Aid stations are fabulous. If you like downhill runs, you'll love this course.

I have run the BC marathon the past 2 years, got my PR this last year and I love the race! Cold at the top but gorgeous course with great aid stations and fun spectators.

Loved this marathon!

Outstanding marathon from start to finish! I had no idea how hammered my legs would be for a week after..Having said this, I definitely will run this one again, but train for the downhills. I want to BQ for next year! :-) This is a great marathon to use as training for St George too, I nearly BQ'd at St George this year in part because I ran this a month before. This race will be a mainstay in my yearly marathon achievements.

I loved this marathon as it was my first. But the city part of the course was very long and traffic was significant on the busy streets. The buses got stuck delaying the race, which made those of us waiting at the top in the cold significantly longer then others.

I think it's better than TOU and competitive with St George. I love the downhill and the scenery is awesome. I'd prefer starting at Guardman Pass though.

Even though there was some delays in getting to the Start, Everything worked out great. I was in the last bus and still had plenty of time to get ready when we got to the start.

I have run 33 marathons. This was by far the fastest course. The downhills were manageable, and the scenery in the first 16-17 miles was terrific. No spectator crowds like Boston, but it was nice to run in the silent canyon.