5/5 Stars

Ran miles 3-19 with a new friend, a professional triathlete who had just signed up for the race on Tuesday! Had a blast cruising down the mountain and just chatting, on pace to run a sub-2:50. Hit the wall hard at mile 19/20 and dragged myself in at 2:57:46. Most memorable thing about race day though was seeing my girlfriend finally BQ after almost 9 months of training, injuries, one previous injured marathon, recovery, more training, and many hard workouts.

Yep! A 3-minute PR: 2:57:46, and to my surprise, 3rd in my age group! Added some cushion to my previous BQ time of 3:00:44 at California International Marathon this past December.

The first 19 miles were beautiful and easy. Miles 19-20 were very tough physical, and the last 4 were probably the hardest of any race I've run previously. My calves and quads just had nothing left.

Didn't have as much time to properly train for this marathon between work and travel. Ran a couple of fast half marathon PRs in June and July and managed one 20-mile training run while traveling. Definitely not optimal in that I wish I had gotten in 2 more long runs and actually had time to follow a training plan. I think if I were to run this course again, I'd do a few workouts where I run downhill for a little bit, then switch to running marathon pace uphill.

Definitely get in Friday morning. And definitely eat at Red Iguana after the race. Ask for the mole sampler.

We flew in Friday morning from San Jose, CA, worked from the Marriott Residence Inn where we were staying in the morning, and dropped by the expo in the afternoon after a short shakeout run by Old MIll Park. We made pasta for dinner and hung out at the hot tub/pool with other runners.

After the race, we really enjoyed a late lunch at Red Iguana (Ask for the mole sampler!), and had fun hobbling around Liberty Park. Sunday, instead of a recovery walk, we went tubing down the Weber River! Highly recommended— you'll inevitably fall out of your tube at least once, and the river is a nice ice bath for your sore legs =)

5/5 Stars

My mom and I woke up at our hotel at 4am, drove to the buses, hopped on the bus, warmed up and stretched before the race, had an amazing run, enjoyed the expo, went back to the hotel, ate lunch, drove back to the airport, and flew back to my home in San Diego, and my mom flew back home, which is Chicago.

Yes I did, and it was my first half in three months, as I was recovering from a shin splint. I set my PR by two two minutes.

Very scenic, fast downhill race

My training consisted of two runs a week, two bootcamp classes, and weight lifting twice a week.

Train before you run, and make sure you run at least a ten mile run, dress for the weather, but not anything too warm, as you'll get warm quickly. Don't eat anything too heavy the night before or the morning of.

Flew in the day before from San Diego, went to the expo, and went to the Porcupine Restaurant for dinner

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!