5/5 Stars

This was my first marathon. It was the culmination of months of preparation. As race day approached, I found myself more excited than I would have guessed. The race lived up to expectations. It was very well-run. It was very satisfying to run & to finish my first marathon.

This was my first marathon. So, yes, it was a PR. (But, as my daughter would say, it was also my worst-ever marathon time!)

This course is one where the majesty and beauty of God's creations are on full display. Breath-taking!

Six or eight months of training. I followed a program that incorporates "easy" mileage three days per week with a weekly speed run, a weekly tempo run and a weekly long run. Total weekly mileage during training: 40-45 miles per week.

Train at altitude, if possible. Run some miles every week or every other week at a downhill 4 or 5 percent grade. Make a training plan and stick with it.

I visited Temple Square. Two of my sons and one of my nephews and I visited Gilgal Garden and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (where we watched some "Meet the Mormons" movie segments in the theater.

4/5 Stars

The colors changing

No

Easy

Don't read the signs on the side of the road stating that 99% of the people in this world "can't" do what you're doing. Yes. Most can. Most won't. Inspire someone. Don't tell them about that horribly thought up sign.

5/5 Stars

It was a perfect race, weather, energy, and so well organized along with friendly volunteers! Loved it!
usually run with family and friends but ran alone this year. I did meet and hung out with some new great people on the bus and before the race.

I did not PR but I was not as well trained for it! I missed my PR by about 6 minutes! I did qualify for Boston by almost 40 minutes!

Beautiful and very fun! Did not love the out and back but then we do get spoiled in the canyon. I did love the three miles to the finish!

I started biking a lot this year so did not get in as many running miles as I usually do. I did get some 40 mile weeks in thiugh before. I also do a fair amount of hill training both up and down!

Felt like some weight training would have been helpful to get through the last 8 miles! My quads were mush at the finish!

Pretty much spent it with family in Farmington! Did go to the Expo and ate at Rumbies along with 100 other runners!

5/5 Stars

I felt I did everything right except the pacing. Big mistake. In any event, the setting is truly stunning. The people are enthusiastic. When I hit the wall at the end, the spectators were very encouraging.

I set a PR for the half marathon, unfortunately I was racing the full marathon. At the half I was on pace for a 3:15, I finished at 3:45. Probably, if I had been more restrained in the beginning I could have qualified for Boston with a respectable 3:25.

Beautiful and steep. The first mile is as steep as any part of the course. It is hard to run an ordinary pace without feeling like you are putting on the breaks. The first 19 miles were generally downhill and in the shade. At that point the course goes uphill in the full sun. A rude awakening.

I trained on hills but they were not steep enough to prepare me for this.

It is really cold at the start of the race. Bring plenty of layers and the space blanket they give you. Before you start take off the layers and put them in your race bag. (they are very efficient getting your bag after the race). This course is faster in theory than reality. Using previous races, my training times and an online calculator at findmymarathon.com, I estimated I could run this course in 3:15, in reality, 3:25 was probably the pace I should have targeted. Obviously, this is a fast course, just not that fast. The hills are too steep to take full advantage of. Crystal Inn was nice place to stay, it is only 1 mile from finis-/ so I walked back after the race.

After the race, I got a massage at Massage Envy, and it helped with the soreness.

5/5 Stars

Amazing from start to finish! From waterfalls to autumn color, this is by far one of my most favorite!

No PR but definitely a unique run!

Breathtaking views, awesome course support!

I jot injured about halfway through training. I'm grateful for past marathon experiences that gave me the "grit" to run this marathon and finish. My calves and quads are definitely sore from all the downhill but that's to be expected.

If you are questioning doing a marathon, this one would be a great one to get an awesome experience. Beware that it can be super cold at start time. It was 29 degrees and there was no heaters or fire pits.

Explores Little Cottonwood Canyon!

5/5 Stars

5/5 Stars

First, it was a first of any kind of marathon/race I have ever done. I ran it with my sons. It was a fun course. The excitement in the air was awesome. It was a great experience.

My personal record, this being my first ever marathon of any sort, was to just do it. See how I did. And, just to experience it. However, I could have done better, but one of my sons pulled a muscle and asked if I could just slow down a little bit for him so he / we / I could buoy him up in finishing the race . Little did I know he decided to book it the last 300 yds to the Finish Line. I could have done better than what I did.

The course was perfect. Scenery was fine. The grade was definitely down hill. Elevation was fine. I had no problems.

I have been going to the gym for the past 4 years. I have been running the treadmill every day. Sometimes I'd be an hour on the treadmill, others a half hour. I would always run on an incline. Sometimes trying different speeds, seeing how fast and how far I could go. I knew it was endurance for running marathons. That I have. I say, working on endurance.

I would tell them to dress warm. The course is great.

We're local, West Jordan. It was fun just being with my sons. Talking about 'our first' marathon we were running. After the race? Feeling the pain and walking with jello legs. It was hilarious! Went out and had Sushi! Just fun in sharing with each other our experience. And it was all great! Thank you!

4/5 Stars

The best part was the downhill scenic run through forests between miles 13 and 18.

You bet I did. The first marathon is always a PR. I did not qualify for Boston. I was really slow because I cramped up all over both of my legs and had to walk/jog the last 4 miles.

It was nice, except for the out and back. That was dirty and would have been okay at the beginning of the race (ie Brighton loop) but not at the end.

I started the training well, but then got discourgaed by long runs. I advise running more than 6 miles in the 2 weeks before race day. Also run long runs every saturday so that 10 is not the longest you have run before race day.

Bundle up because you're going to be freezing waiting at the start line. Also talk to people on the route. Talk to pacers, they're fun.

Before, I just froze and stood in line for the porter potties. After, I couldn't walk but I did enjoy a cool towel, water, and pizza.

5/5 Stars

I have run and paced this race several times and it continues to be one of the top marathons out there not only in Utah but overall. Thank you for doing such a great job

I did not PR because I was pacing but it is a great course and we did have a good number of runners who ran with us through most of the course who did get their PR

The course is great. Beautiful scenery well marked

I like to keep in marathon shape most of the time so I am always out training

For sure train some downhill

5/5 Stars

It was AMAZING! The course was gorgeous. The signs at mile markers with encouraging/funny things were welcome. Very well organized. The volunteers were great. I specially loved having the PTs doing taping at the beginning of the race. Everything was perfect, even the weather was perfect. Cold at the start but amazing at the end. I ran the whole thing battling either ITBS or runner's knee. Not sure which one, so I felt it the whole time, but either way I finished.

Yes! By 13 minutes! I went from 1:53 to 1:40!!

Gorgeous, fast course. I had heard it was really downhill but it was not as radical as people kept telling me. The hardest part is getting out of the canyon at mile 10 and running the last 3 miles relatively flat. It's so hard on the calves!

Great training until the last 2 weeks before the race when I started having ITBS/knee issues. I stopped running completely and my longest training run was a 10 miler. Hopefully next time I won't be dealing with an injury but it just makes it all the more impressive that I finished.

It's better to be cold at the beginning of the race than having to haul your layers down, so dress light. And the best one for this training cycle was, "Stop thinking about it. Just do it."

I'm from Riverton, so I just went home. :)