3/5 Stars

I felt like everything pre-race was well organized - I had an easy time getting to and on the buses, finding my way around the starting line, etc. Although it was difficult to hear the announcements before the race, and I wish there would have been a starting gun or something - all the sudden people we just going. I stuck with some pacers for a lot of the race and they were great! The 4:25 pacers - thank you for all your support and encouragement! I didn't end up running the race I wanted to, but I did beat my goal time by a few minutes and I'll never complain about simply finishing!

Yep! By about thirty minutes. My last full marathon was four years ago so I guess I've gotten a little faster since then. I also ran by myself so I could "run my own race" and I think that helped me.

Everyone told me the course was fast and for the first 18 or so miles, I agree. In fact it was almost too fast for me - the downhill in the canyon was so steep at some places it really took a toll on my knees and quads. It was more painful for me to keep the slower starting pace I wanted, so I ended up giving in and running a little faster - which I regretted later. The last six or so miles were KILLER. Really miserable for me. Seriously that out and back is so, so terrible. It was also getting hotter, the uphill was unreal, and the wind on the last couple miles took it out of me. So I actually didn't love the course, but I know a lot of other people do! I also think I would have liked the half marathon course a lot better. No out and back. :)

I felt so great in my training. I was running lots of hilly courses, and had a great experience on my last long run. I set up little aid stations for myself around my small town because I have a hard time running with water/fuel. I don't live very close to the course so this probably wouldn't have been possible for me, but I heard of a lot of people who trained ON the course and I thought that was a great idea. That would have helped me and my expectations a ton.

Start out slow - even if it's tough, pace yourself on this one! If you need to book a hotel, book it right when you register for the race. We kept putting it off and ended up in a terrible motel. I was actually great clothing wise - with long sleeves and long pants at the starting line, in addition to the blanket and gloves provided in the packets.

5/5 Stars

I had a good day, although I did slow a lot miles 19 to 23. The race and the setting were great. I stayed with 2 packers, Edgar Garcia and Natalie Garcia for 19 miles. They were super people and we talked quite a bit. I will always remember them. Although I did slow down, I still had a BQ. This race was fun, nice, and organized.

N0

Fast, but tough

Not enough downhill. No mountains close.

Enjoy a great race

Scenic drives in the mountains

2/5 Stars

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful course. It was however marred by the lack of Porto potties. When you have 3000runners who are not allowed to go in the bushes you need a lot more than 106 johns. What I will never forget because I have never ever seen it occur before is some older guy running the course with crap streaming down his hind leg and falling out on the road. The smell was awful. Next time have more potties or fewer people!

No. I ran well for my age group.

Almost all downhill with about 1/4 mile of mild uphill and about two miles of level

I did some long runs downhill including Mt Whitney four weeks prior. I did not do enough, and my quads and calves especially the latter were quite sore.

Go to the bathroom before you run.

We went to Zion. We came from LA area.

5/5 Stars

Waiting for 90 minutes for the race to begin was a pain, but hey, that's racing. THANK YOU! for the mylar blankets and gloves! Potty section was a bit dark. This was a destination 1/2 for us from San Diego, so it was different, beautiful, unique. Not sure what to expect. I'm glad we drove the course the night before. Loved all the volunteers and ample potties along the course!!! It's the little things, right? I hit the wall at mile 11. I managed to finish with a respectable time (for myself). loved that some of the community came or to cheer us along the canyon. I liked that there were signs notifying of photographers. At least I knew when to look up and smile. Finish was fine, my name was called. Water could have been in more places at finish. I do wish for Food allergy friendly grub. It was different and fun!

No, almost did. I hit the wall at mile 11. That means I need to train a bit more and come back!

Challenging (I've never run down hill for 13.1 miles) Fast (Ego boost for my pace!). Road a bit pitchey, you need to watch where you are going. Really nice scenery. There was a waterfall coming out of the rocks.

Run 3-4 times a week, long run on weekends. I need more hill and speed work.

Strengthen your legs, hill work, speed, distance. Have fun with this race. Dress accordingly, we read reviews that 2016 was COLD. I'm glad we had the blankets. Once you got running, it warmed up. Don't start the race like a bear is hot on your trail, ease into it. Drive the course the night before.

We flew in the day before, so no real sight seeing. Sat in the hot tub at the hotel after and walked to get lunch/dinner. Too tired to go any where. The hotel had an okay Bar and eats to stay close by. Flew out morning after race. Close get away race from San Diego.

5/5 Stars

Beautiful course down the canyon!

No.

Scenery was beautiful, the grade was doable.

Almost all training was downhill.

Find hills, run down!

4/5 Stars

Well organized.

Yes, 30 minutes! BQ, blew my expectations out of the water. I ran a smart, paced race and felt great at the finish. 3:27 :) this is a must pace course, use smart pacing for the course and run your own race with what you know works for you.

Scenic, fast and downhill. Smart pacing wins the race you want.
Painful recovery but worth it.

Consistent, log the long runs 20-22 milers at a slower than goal pace. Do the speedwork, the hills UP and down. Train slow to race fast :)

Smart pacing! Know what works for you and follow it thoughout the race. You will naturally run faster with the downhills, so don't go faster at the beginning because it's downhill and you feel good. Without even trying you will bank minutes the first 15 miles. Bank those minutes and save it for the out and back and finish. Use a pacing band and follow it even if you're off on each mile. Use it as a guideline for each mile.

Trio restaurant Cottonwood and Current restaurant downtown!

I loved everything except the start of the half where it was jammed pack to run up and turn I averaged 7:40 minutwe miles and the first mile took me over 9 minutes due to only having access to half the road.. very frustrating start...

5/5 Stars

This was my first marathon and I was 13 minutes off a BQ. I'm coming back next year to get it!

Gorgeous scenery with super fun downhills that make the miles fly by!

5/5 Stars

Awesome!

Yes, I finished one minute faster then last year :)

Beautiful I love the downhill courses.

Make sure to run downhill

Wasn't as cold this year but be prepared for cold weather

I traveled from Sandy Utah. We went to breakfast at The Original Pancake House after the race :)

4/5 Stars

Loved the mountain canyon run. Organizers and support staff were great. Didn't enjoy The 4 mile out and back loop. .

Yes. 9 minutes faster.

Great. Except the 4 mile out and back loop. Hard after coming out of the mountains.