5/5 Stars

My goal was to finish the half in under 2 hours - I finished in 1:58, which was more than 11 minutes faster than my PR!

5/5 Stars

This was my second time running Big Cottonwood and both times have been incredibly memorable experiences. I remember getting off the bus pre-dawn and marveling at the vivid stars that were still out. And you start just as the sun is coming up over the horizon joined by 2,000 equally excited runners. The course is fantastic to run (it really is stunning) and just a great feeling as you speed down along the mountain. In the end you spill out into the town of Cottonwood Heights amongst the cheering local fans and hopefully a PR.

This race gives you a tremendous opportunity to earn a PR. I achieved a PR at Big Cottonwood in 2014 beating my best previous time by over 2 minutes. I wasn't in as good of shape this year, but I still managed to run my third fastest Half Marathon time (out of 39 halfs).

Big downhill and beautiful. It really is the prettiest course I've ever run. You can't help but take in the vista repeatedly and I distinctly remember uttering "wow" out loud on more than one occasion. The downhill grade varies from mild to fairly steep, so be prepared for a unique running experience (you will naturally go faster than usual). Even though the race starts at 7,400 ft (for the half) the elevation wasn't noticeable during the race. The first 9.5 miles are all coming down the mountain, with the final 3.5 miles run through the town of Cottonwood Heights (which while still downhill has some stretches of flat ground).

You definitely will be working your legs and quads differently than other races, so if you want to avoid really sore quads the day after, you should incorporate hill training (both up and downhill) for several weeks before the race.

The best advice I can give for runners (other than being sure to train for downhill running) is you should plan to run by "effort" as opposed to pace. The downhill will allow you to run faster than you're used to while keeping your effort level the same. Know that the final 3.5 miles run through Cottonwood Heights won't have as much downhill slope so your overall pace will probably slow down a little at the end. In regards to clothing, bring some throwaway clothes for the pre-race wait (which can be anywhere from 60 min- 2 hours). It can get cold on the hill, but you will warm up quite a bit once you start to run so don't dress too warmly. Oh and for those traveling from out of town, you might get a little "elevation" headache when you first arrive in town, so be sure to hydrate and maybe take some Tylenol.

I flew in from Los Angeles for the race. I just enjoyed the scenery and went out to dinner with some of my fellow runners. And since the race is on a football Saturday, I just found a nice sports bar afterward and had a celebratory beer.

5/5 Stars

Marriott Residence Inn was great, breakfast at 3:45, bus right out front and shuttle after race really was nice.

No, but was fastest in last two years and fastest this year by 8 minutes.

First ten miles were great, one of prettiest, nice finish area.

Never enough.

Practice downhill.

Park City after race was great. Then drove back to Denver.

5/5 Stars

Very exciting. This was my first Marathon and it was a really big deal for me. Lots of people running. I didn't know what a pacer was, but soon found some of them and thought... "That is a really great idea!". The water stations were very well organized, and the people were very helpful. The sun coming up over the mountains was beautiful, the run down the canyon felt great. I was not ready for the last 6 miles and it almost killed me, but I made it through. The finish line was a very welcome sight!

It was my first Marathon so yes. My goal was to maintain 6 miles/hour, or a 10 minute/mile and I nailed it. Going down the canyon I thought I was doing much better as I was running with the 4:00 hour marathon pacer, but when I got to Wasatch Blvd and had to start going up hill I could not keep that pace. I probably should have paced with the 4:25 pacer and conserved some energy for those last 6 miles. As it is I have a personal record I want to beat next year! :)

The first 18 miles is beautiful. I loved running down the canyon. It is also very deceptive, I didn't realize what a toll all of that downhill was taking on my legs, but I quickly became aware when I got to Wasatch Blvd and had to start walking and jogging. The last 6 miles was much more difficult than I had anticipated. The sun,the less pretty scenery, the uphill on Wasatch Blvd, and being the end of the race made it my least favorite part.

I had a great group of friends and we did really well getting our long runs in. The longest we did was 20 miles, and we did that 2 weeks before race day. We found a number of really good routes and had a blast running together. My pace during training varied greatly depending on who I was training with. 5-6 mph when running with my wife, and 6-7 when running with my brother. I was aiming for the middle though so I didn't think it would be an issue. Looking back I should have tried to keep my pace more consistent, and I could have done better on my shorter mid week runs.

Chafing hurts, the first aid stations have Vaseline if you need it. I didn't know this, but my wife asked and got some and it helped her. I had pre-greased, but could have used some re-greasing at 20 miles or so.

Also, There were some cold people at the starting line. I think they thought the thermal blankets would work better than they did. I wore some pajama bottoms, and a cotton jacket. Both went into the bag before the race, and when I started running I was fine. I kind of like the cold though.

Having family waiting for me at the end was great. We are all from Salt Lake City, so no one had to travel too far.

A couple of suggestions:
My family was confused by the text messages that were arriving about 30 minutes to an hour late. My sister-in-law said that the GPS tracking on the website seemed quite a bit more accurate. Also, I was hoping to get a massage, but they had packed up and left before I got around to looking for them.

4/5 Stars

The weather perfect. the scenery is amazing!

I did PR, by 1 minute and 1 second

THe course is very fast, down hill and a few small hills.

I did a 12 week training program that I have used before.

Trainon hills

I loved the massage table. The food was great after the race too. It would have been nice to have a little shade for afterwards, but I am not sure that is possbile to do for all the runners.

5/5 Stars

Beautiful day

PR - yes. Took off 15 minutes off total time.

Beautiful and tough. The downhill was great until mile 13. Coming out of the canyon was brutal! Hills that would normally be not too bad we're killer!

Lol training? I definitely did not train enough. It is hard to train for hills in the Midwest.

Don't think that downhill is easier.

The race was so well organized and the volunteers were awesome. It was a great race!

5/5 Stars

This is race is the BEST! Race day began with jitters and excitement! It was so fun seeing everyone getting ready to run! This was my first marathon ever and I was so impressed with how prepared the staff and crew were for the race. The gloves and blanket given in our packages were needed as I was waiting to run! The canyon and the scenery were absolutely beautiful and refreshing as I was running :) I LOVED this race and I felt like a million bucks crossing the finishing line! The after party/events was fun and my family enjoyed cheering on me and everyone else there! THANK YOU REVEL!

Because this was my very first race, I didn't really have a goal time set. But in the end I wanted to finish the race in 2 hours and 30 mins. I completed my time in 2 hrs and 14 mins, which is an awesome time for me! I was actually surprised by me time and couldn't be any happier!

The course was so clean and smooth! I loved the mountains and trees and how refreshing it smelled as I ran! The elevation wasn't too bad for me either.

Training was good for me! I did a 12 week training course and was given advice from a few family and friends who are runners about training. Mentally and emotionally I was in good shape and physically I felt great. Next time I would definitely incorporate more strength training to help my muscles more in the end:)

Anyone can do this race! I have learned to stay hydrated, have really good running shoes, and train the best you can:) THANK YOU REVEL for an awesome experience!

The night before the race my husband took me out for a lovely dinner! After the race my family enjoyed the rest of the events going on at the end and went out to celebrate afterwards! This was a big accomplishment for me! Bucket list checked :)

5/5 Stars

Beautiful course. Amazing support even at the hotel we stayed at. I loved every second.

Yes, by 4 minutes - would have been more if I had trained for the downhill at altitude. Next time!

Fast, fun and beautiful.

All my running was a sea level. No hill training or altitude training.

Make sure to bring warm clothes (layers) at the start, it was freezing!

Came in from San Diego, California. Didn't really do much before the race. After we attended the Tim McGraw concert that evening.

5/5 Stars

Everything was perfect from the weather, the course, the volunteers and aid stations. I PR'd and also qualified for Boston. I couldn't have been more happy and more sore.

Yes, by 11 minutes. I also qualified for Boston.

The absolute best course I have run. The scenery is magnificent. I will be back next year.

I train hard for marathons. I h ave run 11 of them and run year-round. Thankfully I live in a place with hills and mountains. They helped prepare me for this downhill race.

Work hard and enjoy it!

I love driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon. I love walking around Silver Lake. Of course we had to visit some of the local restaurants and my wife goes shopping. We traveled from Vernal, Utah.

5/5 Stars

2 hours on a gorgeous, downhill course...nothing but music in my ears and amazing scenery, love this event!
Really enjoy starting in the dark & cooler temps then feeling it warm up on the way down...stars and moon were spectacular prior to start @ Tanner.

I believe this was a PR for me, I know it was more than 10-minutes ahead of my SLC half back in April.
But I don't do these so much for time as for the event and the course...both here are top notch IMHO.

Gentle downhill with some level areas...surrounded by granite cliffs & trees beginning to change to fall colors, all back lit by rising sun.
After driving this canyon for years to ski, bike, hike, etc...it's so cool to have it basically all to yourself. And hundreds of your closest friends!

Ashamed to say not much. More of a jogger than a "runner", I usually only have time for 1 morning a week, Sat or Sun, usually about 6 miles. Then 2 or 3 times on machines @ gym.

Pace yourself, esp the first 2-3 miles...and depending how you handle the cold, layers.
It's pretty chilly to start (upper 40's low 50's ?) but it warms up fast. If you can go light to start you'll be glad by mile 4-5.

All the way from Murray, Utah! (We live like 3-miles from the finish line)