4/5 Stars

Race organization 5 stars. Race pacers, 2 stars. My pacer (3:15) was right on time and running with a group of us at mile 19 and I was feeling good, then at around mile 21 he fell back at an aid station and I thought he'd catch up. Since he was behind me I felt pretty good about my pace and just kept it steady. However, at some point near mile 24 I realized that I had fallen off pace and probably couldn't make it up and there was no sign of our 3:15 pacer. Even at the finish I didn't see him. I was shooting for a 3:15 BQ, but I ended up coming in at 3:21. This is not to say that the pacer was responsible for my time, but it would be nice if there was a contingency plan for a pacer falling off. I was counting on him and it was a real disappointment to find that I fell off pace and could make up the time at the end.

Nonetheless, I had a great experience and I think the race was managed very well otherwise. The good news is that I did PR by at least 10 minutes. Thanks!

Yes, by at least 10 minutes. Unfortunately, I did not qualify for Boston.

Fun, beautiful, painful.

3/5 Stars

Yes! 5 minutes away from BQ!

Awesome!

5/5 Stars

Set a new PR by about 7 minutes. Also placed 2nd in my age group.

Yes set a new Half PR by almost 7 minutes and placed 2nd in my age group.

Course was awesome!! It was cool at the top - 15 degrees difference than what was at the hotel down in the valley. Throwaway sweats i brought and the emergency blanket provided by Revel helped me stay warm until race started. Was at start for almost 2 hours before the race based on when buses from the hotels brought us to start line. MOST port a potties I had seen at the start of a race ever. Course was beautiful. Creek running along the side of the road most of the way down the mountain with geourgous canyon views. Last three miles emerged into sunshine and flatter to slight hills of course had to push through that. Great finish line. Well organized. The decent was NOT as steep as I was afriad of. More gradual vs. vertical. I would recommend LARGER medals for those you place in their age group. Age group awards paled in size to finisher medal.

Run this race if you want to PR but train for hills. Wear throway clothes to stay warm at the top of the mountain. Go a day early and get used to the thinner air.

Had to leave right after the race.

5/5 Stars

Fantastic.....the course was the most memorable...well, besides running with my bestie that makes me belly laugh every few miles, laughing so hard I double over, tears and everything....
Also doing a heel click in the air for one of the photographers, and peeing my pants a little, (can I say that on the internet)
And..... running down Fort Union, in our own lane, right in the middle of traffic, straight shot into the finish...So much fun!

yup, despite all the laughter... PR'd by 10 minutes, not even trying.. I know thats not much but I wasn't in it to win it...just run, laugh and have a fantastic day.

Perfect course!!! BCC is so beautiful, being at the top of Guardsman as the sun comes up, so magical... the leaves are just starting to change..amazing. Running on Wasatch, not bad, I loved running down Fort Union (well as much as one can love mile 23-26) for the big finish...nice job guys.

I believe in only one long 17-19 mile training run, because I do believe it is hard on the body...but I also cycle long distances 100+ miles, that helps me train as well.
Give yourself credit for whatever you do...and REST days are essential!

HAVE FUN...whatever it is you choose to do. Only do what you love. Laugh at yourself. Don't take anything too seriously. Pick fun courses for instance... Maui Marathon, or Revel Big Cottonwood ;)
Love Love Love my Hoka's! Simple carbs, no black beans night before...you know what I'm saying.
Don't stress about it...you can always walk :)

I am so blessed and fortunate I live right at the mouth of Big, so I enjoy the canyon year round in all ways...its a good one to bike up!

5/5 Stars

What an amazing experience! Everything was well organized.

I did set a PR, trimming 8 minutes off my previous PR.

The most beautiful course I have run yet. This is the perfect time of year to run this race as the trees are just starting to change colors, and the temperature was perfect.

I have never really used a training program, but next year I am going to get a coach.

Enjoy the day.

5/5 Stars

Yes.

Excellent

Train downhill

4/5 Stars

Race day could have been better. Nothing like warm water and gatorade when you get to the aid stations. How hard is it to keep fresh ice on hand for the aid stations. Nothing like having to look in each cup to see if its water or power aid...how hard would be it to have two different colored cups? or have water in the front and power aid in the back. I dont want to slow down and look in the cups each time...I want to run and grab a drink in stride. Are you guys supporting all the runners?? or just the first 500 across the finish line. Pizza was gone, massages were gone. Surprised you ordered enough finishers medals at that rate. I was impressed that they had "Picture ahead" signs. That is good attention to detail. I wish the Aid Stations had at least a basic mileage marker, if not a big fancy once. Its always nice to know where you are. Not everyone has a GPS watch.

Other than it was pretty good.

5/5 Stars

Flawless race execution. This was my first marathon and was an amazing experience!

Yes, first marathon so automatic PR

Watching the sun rise at the start was amazing. Beautiful scenery down the canyon. The out and back on Wasatch was tough due to the heat and the exhaust from cars on Fort Union was not pleasant

I did three long runs down the canyon during my training and the timp half marathon a month before which was great preparation.

Train long downhills!

5/5 Stars

This was one of the most supported races I have ever done! I loved that you gave us mylar blankets and gloves for our wait before the race, and that we had an entire lane closed off for our whole run down the canyon, and there were police absolutely everywhere! I felt safe and protected from traffic all day.

No, because the last 8 miles were really hot, and hilly :(

I loved the run down the canyon very much. I did stop to take several pictures :) I hated the course after the canyon, it was ugly, running along a highway, too hilly for that far into a marathon, and hot with no shade :( Would have liked to have stayed longer in the canyon, couldn't we have started farther in? Not sure if we were already at the top?

I guess I thought of it as a downhill race, so I didn't train with uphill, which I should have. The race advice was all about running down :(

I loved staying at the Homewood Suites, they were very friendly and helpful, and so close to the start/finish. Make sure you have sweats for the hour plus wait at the top.

I came from Colorado, the race was my "fun thing" :)

5/5 Stars

My plan was to do 8 minute miles the whole way but after the first mile I came in at 7 minutes and continued at that pace the rest of the way. One of my most favorite race experience out of 100 races plus.

I had my fastest time in years, I qualified for New York Marathon running the half.

Course was awesome.

2 canyon runs, run 30 miles a week, do a lot of cross training with biking and swimming

Do this RUN! I WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR.

went home and did yard work and attended concert in Sandy that night.