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!

4/5 Stars

I heard people talk about how fast the course was, but I was more impressed with the beauty of the canyon.

PR by 13 min and BQ by 1 min! (3.04.02)

Remarkable scenery. The downhill is great, but some parts it is almost too much. Knowing that the last 2 miles were downhill was a huge confidence booster.

I attempted a BQ 3 months earlier and missed it. I did some cross training this time and focused on race day nutrition - salt tabs, hydration, etc. That and the downhill really helped.

Train for downhill.

There isn't much room at the start, once the lines to the potties begin, most of the sitting room is overcrowded.

Not many good spots for spectators due to the traffic re-routing. Supporters should plan on either the intersection with Wasatch Blvd or the last half mile.

Lehi!

5/5 Stars

Set a PR of 1:42! Beat my best by three minutes!

Scenic, steep downhill and fast!

I started training 8 weeks out. I do three half marathons a year so this one ends my season. This is my 11th half!

Stay at the Hilton homewood suites. They bus you from the hotel to the start of the race. Stay on the inside of the curves and plan on it being cold at the start and warming up mid race.

3/5 Stars

Great day as far as weather went! I ran the 13.1 course and then went back up the course to get my 20 miler training run in. It was a blast to get up the road and run in some if the first marathoners coming down. It's always nice as a full marathoner to have some support at the end so it was fun to be that person yesterday. That was definitely my best memeory this year!

No. As a matter of fact.....I've had a sever back problem this summer. At mile 7 in the Ut Valley marathon I had to drop out. That would of been my 19th Marathon so mentally it was hard for me to accept a DNF. There were days this summer where I actually wasn't able to even hardly walk. So imagen..... a competive runner hardly walking. After many chiropracticor and Dr visits Cottonwood was my 2nd race I was able to finish this year. I went into it knowing I needed to pull out 20 miles not just 13.1 so I can be prepared for my next marathon in October. I ended up coming in 4 min slower then last year. HOWEVER..... because I knew I NEEDED to hold back I KNOW myself well enough that had things with the race crew at the beginning gone different I would of pushed harder then I did. This is where I today am SO sad about the way things started yesterday. As I was waiting for the race to start (next to the road) I heard NOTHING in a speaker or anybody directing us that we had 5 min until the race started. So I figured, we were all standing around waiting as we did last year. But then as I stated walking up the road I look ahead and BAM......the freaking race had started. 2 MINUTES before. Needless to say I was starting back with a HUGE group of people. People not caring about tripping on each other. People just there to have a good ol time and not be competitive. Had I started WITH my elite crowd I run with in all half and full marathons I would have pushed and would have had a better time for sure. Why no national anthem? Why no big speakers so we can hear you? Why no gun shot? Yes I should be happy, I still took 2nd place in my age group. But IF I would of started out pacing with the Elite runners I mentally would of kicked in because physically IM BACK. NEXT YEAR...... I will run it. But it will be my last if your start is not more organized. And BTW what the heck with the awards this year? No money? My running partner took 2nd overall this year and last. She received $200 flowers and a bunch of stuff last year. This year. We all got cheap placement medals and the top 3 ChapStick?? Hahaha. Looks like you need to get Josh Rotensky back on your team. AF half used him because he's working for IHC and there was MAJOR improvement with them this year. (My son and husband ran AF) and that race is for charity but was still improved. There's lots of competition for races in Utah. I don't always pick a course because of how easy or hard it is. I choose also for organizations and how the elites are awarded. When you work and train hard you want it to "pay" off.

I hope my comments are useful. Please keep in mind.......we ran the day AFTER 9/11. Give us runners the privilege of seeing our national anthem before we start. We don't all go to football and basketball games. This is our sport. In OUR country.

Other minor improvement...... Which I wasn't with the start of the crowd, but please let volunteers know that some if us don't stop. We need them to reach out if it looks like we calling out for it. They are great and we'll appreciated though.

Please know I think with the couple little things I mentioned, I feel like this race and the crew are great. Love it!!!! And I only took it down 2 stars because of the start and awards. I own a salon and see a lot of people a week. This is a must run I tell everyone. Not everyone is there to win something. Lol.

Beautiful. Peaceful. Steep. Fun.

Haha. Run. Run. Run. Run. Cycle. Run. Cycle.
Drink Latte's.
Lift weights.
And do Bikram yoga at 106° with 60% humidity.

Smile.

4/5 Stars

Woke up early, drove to bus pickup (lots of traffic getting there). Bus ride went well, starting area was packed , but I was able to get all my "prep" done. Start of race was good, really fast. Very scenic through the canyon. Each aid station was really well staffed, I called out for what I needed and they provided it right away. The out and back portion was challenging, but a good change in the race. The last three miles were not fun, I did not like running in between traffic in the center of the road and there were practically no people out cheering for that portion. Finish area was fantastic.

Yep, it was my third marathon and I PR'ed by 40 minutes with a time of 3:34:09. Did not BQ, but I hope to in one of my future marathons.

The canyon part was great, lots of downhill (but not too steep), the out and back part was challenging, and the last 3 miles were horrible, I did not like running in the middle of the road in between traffic (push it to the side of the road).

Training went well, longest run was 22 miles with some downhill runs. My advice for others is to fuel properly during training and race day.

Have fun and push yourself to do better. "The greatest danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark" -Michelangelo

I live in Spanish fork, I just drove home and then went to a Bbq.

4/5 Stars

I love the canyon. Love starting up on Guardsman.

No

Love everything about the course except the out an back.

5/5 Stars

This race was amazing in so many ways. I felt like I was flying. It was my first half marathon, and I had several PR's including fastest mile, fastest 5k, fastest 10k, and longest distance! Great race support. Friendly to slower runners like myself. Awesome medal!! I loved the signs letting you know a photographer was coming up! I will be back next year!

I had my fastest mile by over a minute, my fastest 5k by over 3 minutes, and my fastest 10k by over 7 minutes. It was my first half marathon, so finishing the distance was a PR in and of itself.

Course was beautiful, breathtaking. I enjoyed the downhill nature of the course. The last 3 miles were tough, because the temp was hot, and the sun was out, and we were out of the canyon.

I did all of my training on a treadmill. I used the decline function, and I feel that served me well.

Make sure you train for downhill. Enjoy it! Bring the Mylar blanket and gloves given in your packet. You'll need them before the race.

I came in from Wisconsin. Didn't have time for sightseeing, though. Next year I hope to bring my husband and do a little sightseeing.

5/5 Stars

I hated the course. It was beautiful and scenic but the downhills did me in. I did not do enough downhills on pavement as my quads got a great workout. I will train better for my next race.

No, it was super slow.

Excellent, just too many downhills.

I need to improve my aspects of training.

Do pavment downhills. I did trail running downhills.

Ran in Wasatch state park and camped for eleven days there.

5/5 Stars

A perfect day for a run on a perfect course for my first half. Starting from the buses being there to pick us up to the finish line. Revel Big Cottonwood was very organized and prepared very well for the amount of runners involved. I do wish I had trained harder than I did so that I could get a better time, but my goal was to cross the finish line...and I did that. I loved running along side my cousin the entire way and also meeting a few new friends. This was an overall great, unforgettable experience. Thanks!!

This was my first half, so yes, my first PR, and SLOW at that with 3 stupid potty breaks and line waiting, but again, my goal was to cross the finish line still happy, and that I did!

Absolutely breathtaking and beautiful. A nice steady downhill that just keeps you coasting along! Loved the course!! Fall leaves changing, creeks running, mountainous pine smells. Perfect!!!

I'm ashamed about my training. I had decided to withdraw from the race 3 weeks prior to the date because of no training during the summer except an occasional bike ride. My husband and cousin kept me in, and I'm so glad I did. So yes, only 3 weeks of training, and no down hill training only level dirt trails. The furthest distance I trained was 6 miles of a mixed run/walk and 21 miles of bike riding. I should have trained more in advance to be better prepared, but it was still fine for me. I could have easily pushed myself harder for a better time, but I also enjoyed taking in the scenery and visiting with my cousin all along the way.

Take it all in, train with some downhill runs as well as the flats. The elevation was not a problem at all, so don't let that scare you off. Dress warm with clothes you won't miss leaving behind.

I would have liked to have taken in more of the local sites, but family commitments kept us from touring around. We traveled from central Utah and had our own children's ball games to attend, so we didn't get much extra playing in. The massages at the end of the race sure looked tempting. The volunteers were great and earned a big pat on the back for their efforts in making sure the runners were taken care of. Thank You!!!