4/5 Stars

To start things off: The Intermoutain Health guy at the top of the marathon was so pleasant and helpful to everyone. I had a nagging left hamstring ( from last July 4, 15, when I climbed Mt Olympus then ran down.
The health care provider taped me up perfectly.
I hugged him after the race and thanked him.
The goo packs could have been more accessible but thank you for consistent nutrition.

One thing I would change is have creamy's and more chocolate milk for the marathoners and whole grain bread even if your sponsors have to pay for it and maybe get rid of the band if that's a big cost
Pizza and Coke is not a good way to finish the race

Yes. My best prior was Ogden 2014 3:40
9/12/15 BC 3:19:45. BQ

It's tough but great.

I incorporated Bart Yasso 800's and one mile repeats. Last fall 2014, I have been running 6 days a week. Mon, Wed and Fri 6-9 miles 8:30-9:00 min mile paces. Tuesday's 1 1/2 mile warm up then 6 -800s thurs 1 mile repeats at 7:00 min miles

Never quit.
Get on a program. Run 10ks and half marathon races as part of your training
You're not going to qualify for Boston the first time

We live in bountiful

3/5 Stars

Running down the canyon was great and it was nice to run a race so close to home, I just would like to sign up sooner so that I don't have to pay so much money.
A couple words of advice, I thought the race was one of the better races I have run but sadly I was spoiled with running the St George marathon first. Where this race could improve is the aid stations on the course. It wasn't until mile 13 or 15 that I saw oranges and bananas and the oranges weren't even cut. I would like earlier on in the race to have those items to eat at the event. I would even pay a extra ten dollars on my sign up fee if I knew that would happen. Then the medical aid stations didn't do a very good job advertising what they could do for me. The St. George marathon you have multiple spots were volunteers offer vasoline and ice/hot and they announce it at the edge of the road. The vasoline is on a stick that you take and apply yourself but the ice/hot they will massage it on for you. Here at this race I had to ask if they had anything and then you gave it to me to put on myself.

No I didn't PR at mile 12 my knee gave out on me and I did my best to get into the finish. But I finished and that is what matters.

I believe what felt like the first 17 miles was all down hill and that was a little rough. Also having two main locations were the course loops back into each other that was a little depressing to see the runners ahead of you that you have been passed by.

I had trained okay, my big down fall was I ran a 50 mile race two weeks before and my injuries this race were in result from that race. So I would make sure to not run that 50 mile race again. Training advice to others would be to make sure that you put in the miles and not to skip leg day.

Have a good pair of shoes, and socks. Bring something warm for the pre run up in the canyon

I loved the papa johns and milk, but wished there was more. by the time I had got there, there wasn't much of it left and I saw way to many little kids eating all the pizza and these are kids that didn't run. I don't mean for this to come off mean, I love kids but this is food that some of the runners are looking forward to when they finish and if little kids that didn't run are eating all of the food that is brought, that just doesn't sit well with me. Now if there is enough pizza then sure I have no problem.

5/5 Stars

Running with my friends and bonding over our love for the sport is my most favorite thing. I didn't PR, but I cheered and reveled in the joy of watching a friend complete her first half marathon. I'm so glad it was the Big Cottonwood...it's my most favorite half ever. Plus, the Diet Coke at the finish is awesome!!!

Sadly, no. I didn't PR. I had high hopes that I would, but it wasn't to be. I don't know what the qualifications for Boston are, but I highly doubt it.

Beautiful! Elevation doesn't affect me, I've lived and played here all my life. It's a steep canyon and I'm paying dearly for it today, but I grow stronger with each passing year and I'm able to really take in the beauty of the canyon and really appreciate it.

I would definitely spend more time downhill training. I think it's worth the effort.

You always get really warm, so don't be afraid to dress lightly. Even though it's freezing at the top of the canyon. The provided gloves really do the trick as well as the Mylar blankets. Thank you!

I go home shower and nap to my heart's content!

5/5 Stars

This was my first marathon and it was fantastic! The whole event was very professional and would highly recommend it to anyone. The two pacers for 3:35 were amazing and made the event light hearted and spirited! I am still in shock I conquered a marathon and I am so proud to say it was Big Cottonwood!

This was my first, so the longest I had ever run before yesterday was 20 Miles. I now have a PR and I did qualify for Boston! So pumped and proud!

The course was beautiful and all the aid stations came at just the right times.

More downhill training!

Love that pictures are free! I also got a massage which felt incredible!! The whole atmosphere was perfect! Thank you for making my first so fantatstic!!

4/5 Stars

It was a beautiful day, the shuttle to the start line was well arranged.

Unfortunately no

I thought the course was beautiful. The out and back was disappointing after the beautiful course through the canyon. It would have been awesome the have the course start farther back and be able to go straight down to the finish. There should have been more water stations.

Trained down a local ski hill

Make sure you train on downhills and in the heat. Once you hit the out and back you are exposed and the heat quickly saps your energy

I was disappointed in the expo and the after race festivities.

5/5 Stars

i was so nervous at first because it was my first full but it was awesome and so worth the nerves!!!!

I would say I did even tho it was my first.

awesome!! I loved the view and it was very easy to follow. the aid stations were in the perfect spots!

I trained perfectly! I only went as high as 20 miles and that didn't hurt me at all. I also only ran as high as 5 miles during the week and left the long runs for the weekend.

in the morning if your worried about what to wear...it is chilly, make sure you wear pants over your shorts and a long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt. you can always put them in the penskye trucks for retrieval at the end. that is what I did.

I came from riverton, wy and we didn't do much. I make sure and save my legs for the race!!

5/5 Stars

The race was challenging but the atmosphere and volunteers made it fun the whole way. The canyon was absolutely beautiful.

This was my first marathon, so technically it was my fastest also. I hope to improve my times as I do more.

The course was absolutely beautiful. The steepness of the canyon was a lot more tough on my muscles than I expected. My training included hills but not near as steep as the course had.

My training consisted of 2 short runs per week, 2 medium length runs per week, and a long distance run on Saturdays. I tried to train on downhill areas for longer runs. I would definitely suggest training for steep downhill sections better for this race.

This race was a blast. Be sure to train well prior and get used to the elevation a little bit but really just have fun with it.

I am from Alaska, but I go to university in the area and stayed at my in-laws house the night prior. So for fun I just spent time with family and relaxed.

5/5 Stars

I love this half. It's my favorite of all I've done because of the adrenaline rush and extra excitement of the beauty of the mountains, the sound of the river, and the downhill slope. :) It's a well-organized and professionally run event... you can feel that in every aspect.

No PR here this time, but it was my 2nd best.

The course is mostly a good downhill... a few spots of more intense slope make it helpful to have trained and learned how to effectively run a steep downward slope. Taking time to recognize the beauty of your surroundings and the sounds of the river and the peaceful miles of running down a canyon with very few vehicles is a rare opportunity and one I appreciated so much. I had run half of the course the previous weeks, and the high traffic was noticeable, so the difference of race day was even more gratifying.

I recently had a baby and wanted to prep for this in order to get back in better physical shape. My husband opted to join for his first half. Our time was limited quite a bit for training because of taking care of our baby and both running a longer 10 to 11 minute pace, so we were only able to run three times each (we took turns running on the other's off day). We simply each did two 3-4 mile runs a week and one long run. Ideally, more mileage would be better, but this is what worked for us and it worked well... We felt great on race day and beat our expected times and enjoyed it thoroughly, from beginning to end.

Do some downhill runs to prep, stretch well afterwards, use a foam roller after the run, and keep walking throughout the day. I did these things better this time around and, though I'm sore, I'm noticeably less sore than previous times running this course.

Carb loading at CousCous.

5/5 Stars

Beautiful course , perfectly run!! As I'm getting older (in my 60s), I was a little nervous about doing this one again. So glad that I did though. I have run either the half or the full every year since it began and can honestly say that it just keeps getting better and better!! So well run, awesome shirts, and runners are given exactly what is needed - both in the swag bags & at the finish

LOVE the course!! Can help even slow, old ladies like me get a fast time!

5/5 Stars

This is such a well organized and professionally managed race on what has to be the most beautiful course in the country! Everything went so smoothly and could not have been more enjoyable!

Yes - although my only previous half marathon was 2 1/2 years ago - and I only started running seriously a little over 10 months ago. I beat my previous PR by a little over 56 minutes!

The scenery and downhill nature make it a really special race... Almost pain free!

I started training about 10 months ago with the ultimate goal of finishing a marathon. Running this race was one of the intermediate goals that I set. I have done quite a few downhill runs this past summer, with several in the last month of about 10 miles. The only thing I would do differently is to be more consistent in my training... (might have to quit my job to make that work??)... and I would be more careful about diet and would mix in some other cross-training.

Love my Hokas. Haven't had any of the nagging injuries since I switched. The bag drop conducted by Revel made dressing in layers for the cold starting line very easy and pickup was convenient at the end.

This race was fun from packet pickup to after party! VERY WELL DONE and I will be back to run it again. I am local (South Jordan) but was surprised by the number of out-of-town and out-of-state runners that I met while participating. This race is definitely building a reputation outside the area.