5/5 Stars

I loved watching the sunrise over the mountains just before we started. The weather was perfect for PR racing. The aid stations were perfectly spaced and the volunteers were enthusiastic and motivating. The race was well organized and the runners were very very well taken care of. I hoped I would run fast due to the downhill course, and I did, but I found this course to be harder than flatter courses in unique ways. The impact from the descent was hard on my body. I could feel the jarring in my bones, and I had a few muscle spasms that took me by surprise. My toes hate me right now. The altitude was a little noticeable at the start and definitely felt through uphill mile 4. But I made it through and managed all these challenges. I am so proud to have run this race. I feel this was an exercise in pain management for me today. This is what marathons are all about, for me.

I ran close to a 14 minute PR and broke 3 hours for the first time. I ran a 2:56:14. I finished 3rd Female. I am a 40-year-old female runner from NJ (100 feet elevation). I managed to negative split the race by 10 seconds, which I am very happy about.

I think the course is much more challenging than the elevation chart makes it appear. The start is steep, making it hard to control the pace. Trying to break was hard on my muscles. I could feel the descents beating up my muscles, bones, and toes. But, the views made it all worth it. The course is beautiful. I am grateful to have had this opportunity to see the gorgeous landscapes Utah has to offer.

I trained with focus with this race as my Fall goal. I peaked at 95 miles in a week, with a mix of speed work, hill training, long runs, recovery run, strength training, low-intensity plyometrics, and flexibility work. I cleaned up my nutrition and focused on eating to become as lean and healthy I could be by race day. I focused my hill work on HARD DESCENDING and I know this helped. I raced a hilly trail 50k two weeks before this race, which significantly challenged the muscles I would use trying to race this downhill course. Upon recovery from the last long run, I felt I had gotten into really great marathon shape. I tapered and hoped to have prepared enough to run a sub-3.

Practice downhill running, consider adding an appropriate and safe amount of plyometric training to help the bones and muscles learn to tolerate the jarring impact of running a downhill road race.

Took photos, ate pancakes, chatted with friends, met the Mayor :) and then had an adventure trying to find the bus back to the hotel. (It would help SO much to have an information table with volunteers to ask questions ... or a sign explaining where the busses are picking up people). There was a lot of confusion about this.)

5/5 Stars

It was awesome. Well organized, great start area and finish area. You guys run a first class race.

Not a PR, but did get a personal best for this race. Beat my previous best time by 2 minutes.

Wish there was a bit more canyon and less out of canyon running. But for the finish line you have it would be quite difficult

I train for a number of distances and fit the half marathon races into the training

Just do it!

5/5 Stars

Totally and amazingly organized! So grateful for the disposable gloves the hat and Mylar blanket! They saved me from freezing!! Awesome amount of port o potties. Very happy and awesome volunteers at the end. Lady at the end helped me... I felt dizzy and she was so kind and genuine. Loved being able to have my time printed out on a nice postcard!! The medals r so big and beautiful!! Best race ever!!! Loved the pancakes at the end!

Nope

All downhill!! Fun
Beautiful scenery! Saw a moose!! Changing colors of the leaves so beautiful!!

Train downhill but also hills! The hills strengthen ur quads for all the downhill

Make sure u bring disposable warm clothes while u wait for the race to start- burrr

4/5 Stars

This was my second ever half marathon and my first race back since having a baby in April. The canyon was beautiful. I'm so excited to see my photos and feel so empowered by what I have accomplished.

No but I was only 8 minutes behind my or which j ran when I had trained for 4 months vs this time training only 2 months after giving birth.

The canyon views were spectacular. I loved being able to hear the water flowing next to the road and seeing the waterfalls. Once we got out of the canyon I was less impressed. There was a lot of exhaust from passing vehicles and it was so difficult being able to see the finish from so far away.

I've been running with my 5 month old daughter in a stroller and had been doing about 20-25 miles a week. The furthest I'd run in my training leading up the the race was 6 miles.

Definitely do more downhill training. Throughout the race I could tell my calves and glutes were going to pay for the lack of downhill training is done. The start was cold. Bring more layers and maybe even. Throw away long sleeve.

Im local. I stayed for some of the festivities after. Got the free massage and would have done the compression boots but the line was too long.

5/5 Stars

Everything was planned very well. From plenty of parking, shuttling, aid stations and the finish line. My only issue was not enough trash receptacles at the starting area. I did not realize how big this event was until I saw all the people. Well done.

No but I was very close.

The course was nice, plenty of space for the number of runners. I did welcome the flat spots though.

I normally train for triathlons so I didn't train specifically for this race.

Definitely plan on drop bags! Brrrr

Nothing. I live in the area.

5/5 Stars

Absolutely incredible from start to finish. Definitely will be doing this race ever year. Can't wait to start training again--perhaps for the full? :) Amazing everything, hands down best race out there. Volunteers, officials, bibs, race, bling, shirts, food at finish, ambience, aid stations, scenery, everything!!

Yesssss!!!!! I generally get 2:15. Last year 2:07. This year 1:56!!!!!!! First time EVER getting sub 2!!!

Phenomenal start to finish. Beautiful weather, scenery, everything!

I trained every other day. Generally one big run a week. The every other day ones were generally 3-5 miles.

Train a lot and enjoy every second! Get good shoes! Have great music. Just go! Don't think too much.

Drove the course before the race. I live in SLC.

5/5 Stars

PR

Yes

Scenery was fantastic. The miles out of he canyon are hard.

Didn't train as much as usual.

Nothing

4/5 Stars

We were in the porta potties when the gun went off. Mainly because they are so far away which is a huge problem because no one comes over and informs the runners that the gun is about to go off and you can't hear anything because they are so far away. Two years in a row, I have not heard an announcement that the gun is about to go off. If you insist on keeping them so far away then you MUST have someone inform all those still using them! By the time we got to the start the race had already begun and my pacers were long gone.

Yes! I PR'd by almost two minutes.

LOVE the course! SO gorgeous and such a wonderfully fast course! STUNNING views! The volunteers are great! This is the most organized race I have run. The perks are great too.....i.e. space blankets, gloves, free photos, videos, etc. etc.

This was a training run for the St. George Marathon.

Dress warm at the start! It would be so nice if the water and Gatorade cups were only half full or even less. That would really help those of us that try to run while drinking...haha. And those that need more could take two cups. So many of us end up pouring out half so we can drink it.

Nothing. No time. Could you possibly make it so we could pick up our packets the morning of as well. It adds so much to the cost because we always have to get a hotel to stay the night. Otherwise I would just get up really early and drive in the morning. It's very inconvenient to not be able to get them in the a.m. like many other races allow.

5/5 Stars

This was my first big race and I was blown away with how well executed the entire event was!! I had more fun than I ever imagined I would and loved that you guys had everything prepared and covered anything I hadn't thought of!!

5/5 Stars

Absolutely perfect. This was my first time to run this course and I loved it! Very well organized race. Thank you!

No but I'm much older now and I won't ever run that fast again. However this was one of the best times I've ran in recent years! I qualified for Boston by 17 1/2 minutes!!

Great. All of it was good.

I felt undertrained but that might have worked out just fine for me because I had a great race.

The first 5 miles I could really feel the altitude--on any up hills. After that I was fine. I live at 2200 feet above sea level.

Stayed with family. I traveled here from St George.