5/5 Stars

I'm so glad this was my first half as the course was beautiful, the volunteers were so positive and supportive, and instructions to runners prior to the race were clear. I was very nervous at first because I felt I had undertrained with overall running mileage. The bus ride up the canyon seemed so slow and then I thought "I have to run all of this way BACK???" It was cold at the top so I'm glad I brought a sweatshirt and hat plus the gloves/space blanket in the goodie bag. The start was a little confusing with long lines at the porta potty and no announcements to get in line, etc. I didn't hear the gun go off. But once I was running, the runner's high immediately kicked in and I let myself enjoy every part of it. At mile 10, I knew I was going to be able to finish it so I was overcome with emotion, especially when I saw my pacing stats. When the volunteer placed the surprisingly heavy metal over my head, I was a feeling like none other!

This was my first half so I don't have anything for comparison. My usual pace is between 10:30-11:30 min/mil and I finished with an overall pace of 9:11 min/mil! I was anticipating to finish between 2 hrs 20 min to 2 hrs 30 min and was shocked to finish at 2:00:20:71.

I live in the area and am familiar with the windy turns and steepness of the canyon. It's very different experiencing it on foot rather than in a car. The first 9-10 miles were almost magical - seeing a moose shortly after the start, the sound of the babbling creek, the beauty of trees with colors already changing, etc.! It made it easy to forget about the work going into the race. After exiting the canyon, it became more challenging as the course became more flat and the shade of the canyon was replaced with direct sun. Since I had never done a run longer than 9 miles, I knew it was going to be a challenge for me. I was fighting physical exhaustion and didn't enjoy the narrower running lane with traffic on both sides. I was motivated by friendly police monitoring traffic and countless volunteers and people cheering us on. I had been given advice to push myself hard at the end so I would "run the gas out of the tank" by the finish. I feel like I accomplished that goal and felt physically spent after crossing the finish line.

Most of my training was cross training with Pilates and Orange Theory Fitness 3-4 times per week so my actual running mileage per week was only about 20-25 miles (longest training run was only slightly over 9 miles because it was so hot this summer). My running was usually on local hilly trails/courses which was a HUGE help to train both uphill and downhill. Twice a month I'd run up and then down City Creek Canyon so the steep downhill of Big Cottonwood wasn't a problem.

Train both uphill and downhill at least twice a week. I did the REVEL online coaching and found it to be very helpful. Run as close to the yellow line in the middle of the road so you aren't dealing with both the steepness of the route and sharp banking of the curves of the road (avoid IT band issues that way). Drink lots of Powerade or do gels early at aid stations to give fuel for the last half which will be much harder when it is flatter and hotter in the direct sun.,

Went home and took a nap!

5/5 Stars

Fun! Beautiful run!

Yes, set a personal record - this was my second half and my only real goal was to finish, but I made it under 3hours!

Beautiful. All downhill, some steeper than others and I had a hard time with the steeper parts, but most of it was a pretty easy coast.

I'm afraid I'm not an avid runner so my training generally consists of walking and hiking.

5/5 Stars

The first 19 fantastic. 19-22, death run. Appreciated the 3:40 pacer who I had made promise me there weren't anymore rolling hills. He was great. Just enough encouragement to help me refocus my mind.

Love the sunrise at the top.

No

Loved the canyon. The there and back section was a little bit long and not in the most gorgeous setting!

I enjoyed some years ago when it went through the town or paved paths and neighborhood.

To run a descent I need to practice descent. Note: need more descent in my training.

Keep your throwaway gloves until you are near the bottom of the canyon and can feel the sun.

Hmmm. Liked the Hyatt they were incredibly accommodating.

Bend, Oregon

5/5 Stars

This was my first half marathon - I did not train at all for it, I think I did a 2-miler once in the preceding 2 months before the race. I think of myself as more of a sprinter. I knew it was going to be cold up in the canyon before the race started, but it was really, really cold! Beautiful scenery though. I've ridden Big Cottonwood on my motorbike many times but I think running through it really allows for one to take in the scenery. I felt really good up until mile 10, where I started cramping in both thighs and my feet were really feeling the pavement. I walked most of the last 3 miles, but it was a really great feeling crossing that finish line.

I did PR! Since this was my first half marathon, I guess I had to. Haha.

The course was absolutely beautiful. Mostly downhill with some flat sections, especially out of the canyon and onto the road. Downhill training is a must for this course. For my first half marathon, I think this course was perfect.

Zero training. My advice would be to train.

Dress warm before the race starts. I was freezing. Other than that, make sure you have gone to the bathroom because the lines can get long.

I live in the area so I just showed up and did the race. After the race they have a lot of fun stuff to see and check out.

5/5 Stars

This was my fifth half and first big cottonwood half. It has become my favorite. It was so gorgeous and VERY well organized. Thank you.

I did PR. I ran the Ogden half in 2:29 and that was my fastest until big cottonwood. I ran 2:11!!

The course was fast and gorgeous. Breathtaking in spots. The "S" curve was my favorite.

I trained three days a week and tried to incorporate down hill training.

Train down hill as well as strength training.

I drove from Tooele Utah that morning. Left my house at 3:30am. The canyon didn't feel that cold and it was a nice area. The finish area was the best I have seen. So organized and thought through. I loved the cold towel to clean up a bit. Very nice touch.

5/5 Stars

Very tough course. Good running surface but extreme steep(for me) at times.
Well run event. Had a never forget day- thanx

No but, my 3:53:01 was my fastest marathon in almost 4 years and 4 th fastest of 16.

More difficult then I thought. I train on mostly flat so I'm having difficulty walking today(day after)
More steep AND highest altitude I ever saw for an event. Challenging and stunningly beautiful.

About 40 miles/wk. track WO with repeats and long runs on weekends. Did dome hill trading but not nearly enough.

Train running repeats downhill

Drove course- wow- scenery

5/5 Stars

Had a great race despite an injury. Had a PR for this race and I'm already looking forward to next year!

Not my fastest half PR but my fastest "Go Big" PR. Nine minutes but missed my goal by six minutes.

It is the best course I have ever run, love it.

Training was right on track but three weeks before the race my right It band started to kill me. I had to rest for a week then I rolled twice a day and stretched it multiple times a day. I have never taped before but I had my knee taped free by Alta View Hospital the day before at the Expo and I feel like it really helped. Had no pain during the race just tightness.

sign up!!!!!!

local, I'm one of the lucky ones that has a home up the canyon, so I didn't even have to ride the bus.

5/5 Stars

I have raced in 20 1/2 marathons since starting to run three years ago (at age 56). This is one of the best run races I have participated in, the the top race in Utah. This was my third Big Cottonwood and will continue to run this race in the future. Great job!!

No. Ran a race two weeks ago, so just took this one easy, but finished in under 2:00.

Beautiful!

I run 8 half marathons per year, so I am always in training.

Run this race! Be prepared for the downhill.

Live in Sandy, so headed to the race and back home!

5/5 Stars

Only complaint is the Wasatch out and back but not a lot you can do about that when trying to chart 26.2 mules

No

Above.

Would have trained on Wasatch vs my normal courses

5/5 Stars

Was a good experience, very well organized event. Aid stations were well stocked and had all the right items. Only thing I could have seen that would better improve, is a the very start at the top. Maybe have some fire pits. Nebo and Bryce Canyon 1/2's had this and it was well appreciated. Other than that great race!!!!!!

No, not enough training.

Very beautiful course, made the trip down so much nicer having all the scenery.

Not much, really need to do some so that the ending part, the flats are much smoother. Have completed about 7 half's this year but no prep other than a few small practice runs on the treadmill.

Train more, know the course, prepare for the downhill, its much different than other courses.

We live here in SLC area (Hooper, UT), so we just stayed in a hotel near the race because of the early rise but really just nothing special...