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. :)

3/5 Stars

Very stimulating to be apart of in general. Too many pushy people at starting point,there should be better organization to start the race. other racers were fun to be around during the race. Couple laughs along the way. Finish line outcome was a joke. I crossed the line and could barely control my legs, (they started locking up on me) thought I was going to fall on my face. No one helped me with anything no water, no wet towel, no support so I would fall over. But I did get a lady in my face telling me to get out of the way. For other runners coming in. As soon as I was able to safely move forward trying to fight off the seizing of my legs, I searched for my self for 10 minutes trying to get everything to finally settle my system down as well as my marathon award which was in a box. Then they came to me again telling me that I needed to get out of the way in a different location. I notice every one else was getting star treatment when they finished the race. I left the race early in discuss that the beginning and middle were devalued by the end treatment. Way to long of lines for massage and other physical treatment opportunities. I left regretting my decision for my first marathon. Maybe I should just stick to salt lake marathon or the half in Yellowstone.

Yes, I finally completed a marathon of any kind. Big deal and very emotional for me.

Beautiful, breathe taking, peaceful.

I don't train well, but I have completed this course before.

Training as much as you can and don't wear too much clothing, it will get warm enough half way through course.

Nothing. There is no fun before the race with waiting to start but cold and dark. Everyone is for themselves at the end. The best fun is to go home away from the circus and create my own fun.

5/5 Stars

Fun, surreal

First marathon so yes

Fantastic

30 day training...mile 20 did me in

Train longer than 30 days

Millcreek, UT

5/5 Stars

Mile 19-23 was really tough because of the 18 mile downhill prior to that.

Yes.

Beautiful but Tough because of 5500 ft downhill and thin air at 9700 ft for runners from lower altitude.

Trained for downhill but difficult to train for so much downhill. Didn't train in high altitude. To run in this course runners definitely need to train for downhill and train at high altitude.

It's cold out there in the start line. So, runners need to wear warm clothes and also wear caps n globes and warm T-shirt while running for the 1st hour.

Didn't have much time before and after the race.