5/5 Stars

I had a tough day.I had done Pocatello marathon the week before and this was my eight marathin this year. I ran keeping in mind that next week I will do Top of Utah. My motivation was not to PR.

No. I have three more in the next month. I tried to pace myself accordingly.

Severly down hill and brutal after leavingmthe canyon.

I run 10 to 12 a year.

Practice down hill running if you want to PR here.

Got to bed early the night before and rested and watched football after. I live in Magna.

3/5 Stars

I was optimistic about the race from the race packet pickup on. Until... the start (or lack there of). There were some announcements, but never a clear statement about exactly what what was going to happen. I recall something said about "would the pace runners please start making their way to the start and line up?" sometime after 6:30 and "would you please take your warmup bags to the truck?" in a very casual way. Suddenly, after waiting in line at the truck I realized that that people were starting the course! What happened was essentially a "rolling" start. Every other race I've been in has had a CLEAR start with much less confusion, this was very "whatever", "just have a good time", sloppy and lackadaisical. For such a big production like this I was especially disappointed in really just the start. Everything else was well run.

As I understand it, BQ times are based on a gun start and not a chip start. So I'm already starting now at a disadvantage without any idea of when the race had actually started. There was no big announcement, no gun, no shouting, nothing to indicate that the race had begun other than people were slowly starting to move downhill.

My plan had been to stay with a pace runner who would get me to the finish line with 0:05 to spare to BQ. Ha, I spent at least the first 6 miles running much faster than I should have trying to catch up with my goal pace runner. I never did even though I passed 11 other slower pacers in my "sprint" start. My guess as to what happened in the last half of the race is that because of my fast catch up pace that I began with, I developed pain in my hips and right calf which made it only possible to endure the flat miles of out and back section after reaching the mouth of the canyon. People were passing me left and right.

The last two downhill miles should have been easy... pour on the finishing speed, but I was I in too much pain and couldn't push through it. I was pretty disappointed and wonder if I should give up on trying to BQ. I'm in my early 50s and this was only my 8th marathon so I guess I shouldn't compare myself to others who have been doing this for decades with dozens of races experience. I must ask myself though what I'm doing wrong?

I take responsibility for running the race poorly, but I attribute much of the reason for making those bad running choices to the disorganized start. If I had been able to start and stay with my goal pace runner I believe my finish would have been a much different story.

No. I was off my pr by 0:25 which was set earlier this year in miserable conditions in the Ogden marathon's cold, heavy rain. I also missed a BQ time by 0:30. I was in just too much pain the last 7 miles and didn't care at that point about the people I had passed earlier who were now passing me.

It's very pretty, but deceptive. If you're not at your best you can kind of "coast" down the canyon. Things will start to fall apart though in the following flat section and gradual inclines. I saw this in many other runners at this point too.

I run on trails at 6500' to 9000' elevation and followed the Nike running app's "coach" marathon training regimen. I also swim laps for 1 mile a session four or five times a week. I've done two other big races this year and feel I'm in the best shape I've ever been in. It's not the stamina to endure the distance that I lack or the speed to achieve a BQ time (I've run some 6:30 miles in training), it's starting too fast and the pain that develops in the later parts of the race that prevents me from making a BQ time for me.

Be prepared for warm temperatures in races and make sure that there's no confusion at the start. Try to be prepared for the unexpected.

I had to drive four hours one way to get here and only spent a little time afterwards dining and shopping before I had to return home. I live in east central Nevada in a small town called Ely which is hours from most everywhere.

5/5 Stars

I refer to this race as the friendly race. Everyone is so helpful. The staff, volunteers, emergency personnel, participants are fun and happy. The course is BEAUTIFUL!!! I will probably participate in this race every year. I think it is great that there are so many different skill levels and that the walkers are just as welcome as the runners by the participants and staff. This race is very organized and has a lot of extras that make it stand out from other races. I HIGHLY recommend this race.

Although my pace is quite slow, I was pleasantly surprised that I finished faster than last year, especially considering my lack of training and health issues.

Beautiful!!! I wish the ENTIRE race could take place in the canyon. If the entire race or all but one or two miles took place in the canyon I would be in heaven! I hope REVEL can find a way to make that happen.... maybe next year? =0) The shade, light breeze, and breathtaking scenery made me want to turn around and go back up the canyon. But the rest of the course is okay, minus the traffic. The exhaust fumes and people smoking in their vehicles with their windows down wasn't great. It is a great course though, even with the few minor things I mentioned. I love the canyon portion!

My training was pathetic! I did what I could, when I could. I would have liked to train more, but health issues and other major events didn't allow me to train as I would have liked to. I'm just happy to be able to participate in this event and enjoy the exercising, fall colors, great people, and beautiful views.

Prepare for the hills by training on hills, up and down. If you have knee, quad, or calf problems (especially if you haven't trained much on the hills) I suggest wearing support gear. I also found walking backwards uphill on a treadmill to be helpful. Start out slow and go at a comfortable pace.

Enjoyed the area and seeing the start of the beautiful fall colors. I highly recommend The Bohemian Brewery (7200 South and slightly east of State Street) for an enjoyable dining experience. Whether you enjoy their wide variety of beer (you can sample them for 50 cents each to find out which one(s) you prefer) or just want a good meal that is made fresh or both, this is the place to go.

4/5 Stars

sunrise at guardsman just before the race.
warm enough to not need a jacket or long pants.
beautiful 18 or so miles in the canyon.
Brutal out and back in the heat!
Ok downhill to finish.

Starts TOO Late, needs to start earlier to avoid heat at the end of the race.
Eliminate the out and back!!!!!!

NO!!!!
Ran previous years BCM in 4:01, ran this years in 4:26. No where near BQ.

Beautiful. Canyon is steep!
The out and back on Wasatch needs to be eliminated!!!!!!

I trained less downhill than years prior. That caught up to me after running the canyon at a fairly fast pace for me. Train more downhill so your legs are ready for this course.
I would train in steeper canyons like Millcreek more, rather than Emigration all the time.

Canyon can be steep. Get some downhill training in and don't run too fast down the canyon.
Be ready for sun exposure and heat outside the canyon as there is little shade and it tends to be hot!

Came from sugarhouse. Came straight to the race and then went home!

5/5 Stars

THE BOMB!! I love the course, love the finish chute, signs along the course, the volunteers at aid station around 20ish miles all said complimentary things and called me by name because names were printed on bibs - it gave me just the boost I needed!!

There's only 1 suggestion I can make, I wish the Revel shirts were brighter. Personally, I prefer to run in neon running clothes; makes me feel safer! the color scheme of this year and last years shirt was a little bland for my taste, but other than that I seriously loved everything about this race!

I enjoyed how thorough your email communication was ore race. I loved the expo, smoothness of bus loading, ample start line porta potties, headbands and race gmday gloves

First time doing a full :)

PERFECT!!! Please don't change it at all. There isn't a better full course in the state of Utah!

I did every other long run down the canyon, and tons of training runs on the out and back + 3.7 to the finish. It helped so much to be familiar with the course!

The BEST thing about the finish chute was the ice cold towels and having chairs to sit on so I could chat with friends!!

5/5 Stars

The best half a ever run, the view is priceles I just enjoy every single mille in the woods, I will run it again next year for sure!
It will be great to run the 13.1 in the canyon and avoid the city.

5/5 Stars

I am very grateful for the good organization of this great event. I had an awesome day. The AID stations were exceptional. Thank you very much for all the volunteers that work very hard.It

It was my first half marathon. I

I enjoyed The scenery while running.I did not need my headphones to make the time more placent. I really enjoy running in this area.

I worked two times a week with my trainer. She was really good. Because of hard pain in my shins I couldn't run for two months so She trained me in the swimming pool for several weeks. I was worried that I was not running as I wanted. Once the time came she said now you can run and I did. It was amazing no more pain and running in this event was a great accomplishment for me.

Work with a trainer to avoid injuries. Ask questions to people that have had experience running. read tips from different magazines, see videos from youtube it also help, go to the running store and ask for good shoes, socks etc, etc, etc.

Take pictures, eat, have a massage,

5/5 Stars

I love this race. I did the full marathon with my sister last year and this year we did the half together. We love the course and the race is super organized

I set a pr and almost made it.

Beautiful course. The weather this year was perfect.

Practice , practice, practice. It makes the difference

I spend all weekend at snowbird at the cliff lodge. I love that place!!

5/5 Stars

The bus driver who got us up to Guardsmans pass is a superhero, there were people running down the canyon with headlamps, the roads were narrow, it was 4:30am and she still had such a positive attitude! The emergency blanket and gloves in the drop bag were amazing while waiting! I will always remember running down wasatch blvd in the heat, everyone around me walking and chanting to myself to "just keep going, don't throw up." Finding out that I had qualified for Boston is one of the best things that has happened in my life in a long time. I picked up my results card and couldn't hold back crying tears of joy.

I PR'ed and qualified for the Boston Marathon! I beat my previous record of 4hrs 0 min with a time of 3hrs 33 mins. My qualifying time for age and gender is 3hrs 35 mins.

The energy you get from the breathtaking fall scenery is comparable to the energy the spectators give you in Boston. It's a great downhill marathon. However, the wasatch blvd stretch takes some "will power" after coming down out of the canyon.

I didn't do as much downhill training as I had in previous downhill marathons and it prevented me from an overuse injury. I would advise others to do lots of eccentric muscle training. I swapped between 3 different (but similar) pairs of shoes, prevented injury as well. I recommend lighter shoes (for less weight to push uphill and lighter creates less downward momentum to fight) with appropriate stability for your foot and slightly more cushioning than you're used to.

I live in cottonwood heights, so that was easy. Use the bathroom right before you start, the downhill will get your bladder going more than usual. The porcupine grill is an awesome place to eat. Don't drop your clothes too soon, the shade can make it go from cool to hot in the canyon. I bought a new pair of shoes identical to the ones I was training in and only ran a few miles in them prior to marathon day to save the cushioning for the downhill impact.

I live in cottonwood heights. I just went home after the race and showered.

5/5 Stars

The race was well organized. So many porta-potties. I mean SO many. The course is picturesque, and lined with signs that humor you evough to take your mind off the temporary pain. All-around great event.

Yes. First half marathon - averaged 6 min 41 sec miles.

Never ran a more beautiful course.

I hardly trained for this one.

Train for downhill running. I finished with bloody and blistered toes. But worth it!

Nothing like eating a slice of pepperoni pizza at 8:30 am!