5/5 Stars

I have never done this race before. I have done other halves. I loved it and thought it really was a perfect half marathon. Everything was so well organized, volunteers were so happy and cheerful. I do mean all of them from the packet pick up (asking if it was my first race, be sure to kill it, etc.) volunteers at water stations, and after party. The course was just gorgeous and I like how once you get out of the canyon there are only 3.1 miles. left. I loved how the last 3 miles were just a straight road to the finish line!!!! Totally doable. Picking up my drop off bag was such a cinch and quick. There were a couple races that part took forever. Yesterday I had my bag in less than 30 seconds. I really was impressed with it all. Thank you so much!

Yes! By 7 minutes! my other PR was with the Salt Lake Half at 2:21

Gorgeous! Absolutely no complaints. I think it will become one of my favorites. Leaves were just starting to change. In the shade for 95% of the race. Could hear the water of the canyon......

Training went well. Just increased long runs each week by one mie stopping at 10 miles two weeks before race and then just leaving that last week to do small 5 to 6 mile runs. I trained both up and down hills

5/5 Stars

I enjoyed the bus ride up because I was able to make friend with those around me on the bus and share their stories. At the top I used the bathrooms and then sat with everyone wrapped in my silver blanket. I was rushed between trying to get to the bathroom one last time and drop my bag and had about 1 minute to get into the corral. The start went well and I enjoyed the views during the race and was holding my BQ pace effortlessly. I was having a great race until my IT band acted up and I had to drop at the half.

I DNF-Ed because a prior IT injury acted up, but prior to that I was on pace to BQ and finish with a huge PR that felt effortless because of the hills.

I loved the downhill, although the steep uphill at 3 after so much steep downhill completely knocked the wind out of me and I had to walk a bit to catch my breath. After that the downhill allowed me to catch all the way up to my BQ pace and continue on easily. I enjoyed the scenery the whole way.

I practiced downhill running (to the extent I could being from Ohio) and I did a lot of leg press, squats, and planks to strengthen my quads and knees for the downhill. When we went uphill at 3 and again around 9, I completely felt like I could not breathe because of the lack of oxygen. After talking to my friends from Utah, they too had this happen but were used to it so they did not hyperventilate like I did which made it worse. I would tell others to expect this and to relax and push through it. I would also say, don't hurt your IT band two weeks before the race because you'll only make it halfway (kidding, sort of).

Any stretch of flat after downhill is going to feel rough and any slight uphill it going to feel impossible, so train your brain to handle that and practice downhill to flat or rolling hills. Don't throw your gloves at 3, you will want them later. Additionally, dress warm, it doesn't get sunny until about 16/17 miles in and even then it's still very cool. On the downhills, don't fight it and hold back, that trashes your quads, just let gravity pull you. Relax your breathing on any uphill and don't push too hard up the hill like you would at lower altitude.

Visited the Olympic park, visited the homestead crater, horseback riding, visited park city, drove both sides of Big Cottonwood Canyon, outlet shopping, met up with runner friends from Instagram. I am from Cleveland Ohio.

5/5 Stars

Overall, a fantastic experience!! Very well organized and put together perfectly! I've done plenty of races, and this one is by far, my favorite!

Yes I did PR, by 2 minutes! Was hoping for more, but I'll take it!

Fantastic and beautiful!

Since having two hip surgeries a year ago, I've had to really cut down on running. In fact my doctor told me not to run anymore, but I can't stop!

Do it! Freezing at the waiting point, but is perfect after that! Don't layer up too much.

The booths at the end of the course are fantastic. Such a fun atmosphere! I'm sad it's over.

4/5 Stars

Super fun!

No, I really wanted to but the lines for the port o Potts completely threw off my game.

Absolutely stunning..

I should have trained much more for the downhill aspect.

Bring a throw away/donatable sweatshirt for the beginning. Take it all in and enjoy, it's stunning..

Lots...

3/5 Stars

You've made many improvements over your first two years and organization of the event. However, it's unacceptable for an event of this size that features a point-to-point course to not have porta Johns at the bus loading site. Ridiculous. You also need more at the first four aid stations. Lines of 20 deep impact race times and keep you from being an elite option

No. Did not train at all for this event

Scenic and serene until out of the canyon. Wish you could close traffic altogether on Ft Union. Also your downhill vehicles in the canyon were especially reckless in their speeds while driving next to runners. Safety was impacted.

None at all this year

Train with downhill courses

I live here

5/5 Stars

So organized and the most amazing volunteers ever!! I was so grateful for each aid station and the encouragement I received at each one. I loved the course (except for Wasatch

Yes. I ran St. George last year at 4:46 and finished this in 4:22.

Beautiful!

We spent each Saturday running a canyon here in the Salt Lake Valley. Big Cotonwood, Emigration, Milcreek. All that downhill training helped a ton!!

Train downhill, but also give Wasatch a try before the big day. It's a killer!

3/5 Stars

Morning bus shuttle was good. Start was not. Looked very unorganized. Porta potties were aligned terribly. Huge delays on the start. I start at the end. Gun went off and I was just getting out of restroom. Took 30mins to finally reach rest room. Started 3mins after the starters. I ran a 2:48 and would have competed for a faster time if I had the opportunity.
Course was fast and easy just like it said it was going to be, awesome.
Post race. No beer garden? Wtf. That is a huuuuuuuuge disappointment.

No, but i wanna run this again so I can.

Downhill downhill. Save your quads.

80% in shape. I am a sea level runner and ranapproximately 25miles at 7,500ft or above in prep. Was good. I would get my base up. Need more 18-22mile runs. Only did 3-16milers.

Expect a delayed start. Very cold to start. Bring old clothes to discard during first few miles.

Before. Nothing.
After. Nothing. No beer garden. The post race band was awesome though.
Had In-N-Out burger. Best thing todo in SLC.

4/5 Stars

I loved the race. The views are amazing and the finish line was so fun!

The course was great except for the part where you had to go down to old mill and back. Going down and back was mentally exhausting for me and was where I ended up slowing down quite a bit. I wish we could have just gone farther down fort Union boulevard.

I followed the Nike 18 week training plan. It made me feel very confident going into the race.

5/5 Stars

The start was cold but I had planned on that and brought warm clothes to put into my drop bag. The first couple of miles were chilly but the rest of the race was the perfect temperature for running. I felt good the whole race and enjoyed it from the start to the finish line!

No, I didn't but I wasn't planning on a PR for this race. I've been battling planter fasciitis this past year and I was hoping to be able to finish the race with a good time and not in too much pain. I did just that!

It is the most beautiful course out there. I love Big Cottonwood Canyon and train there regularly. There weren't too many runners crowding the course, either - Just perfect!

I've been training for this race specifically for the past two months. I run three times per week with one longer run in the canyon to get my body used to the downhill grade. I think that doing canyon runs as part of your training helps get your body ready for this type of course. I also cross train three times per week with weights.

Dress very warm at the start and trust that your drop bag will be there at the finish and be sure to look around you and enjoy the view as your run your race!

My husband and I both ran the race and enjoyed hugging to keep warm at the start and visiting with other friends who ran the race at the finish. We are from Salt Lake City and have run this race all five years it's been around. We are "Legacy" Runners and keep signing up for it year after year and are never disappointed!

5/5 Stars

Unfortunately, no. I had trouble regulating my body temperature from extreme cold to warm out of the canyon.

Love the course, the beauty of the canyon. The two loops were actually fun as I got to see friends that were ahead of and behind me and cheer them on.

I trained for everything, downhill, loops, no soreness. Just have to figure out how to personally manage changes in weather on long runs so I don't get sick and puke 3 times on the course.

Sorry, don't see the question:
Things I wish were different on this race?
Chocolate milk at the finish line. And it would have been nice if the last miles were closed to traffic. There was a lot and they all had their windows down and it was weird and distracting.