5/5 Stars

I bonked but you ran a great race

Not even close

Beautiful. I like the start at Guardian Pass. Out and back was still tough but it can't all be down hill. Need to get it to freeze in the canyon before the next race so the leaves can change colors like they were in the first few years of the race.

I have been training on the hills of the St. George marathon course and that helped.

Train on Hills, Hills and more Hills or find a treadmill than can do more than the standard slope. Hoka Clifton's are great for the course.

None

5/5 Stars

I've run my fair share of them through out the state and this one was one of the best put together of them all! You all did a great job from all the pre race notifications, the pamphlet and directions, I loved the tracking system and was happy to send it out to family so they could follow my progress. The only thing that seemed to have some bugs was the text messages, people seemed to get them much later than "real time". All of the volunteers (civilians and police) truly made this event come together. The amount of aid stations, the size of the finish area, all the wonderful vendors and music were truly awesome. Thank you, I'll be back for more!

This was my first full marathon.. I attempted one a few years ago but due to a pulled ACL I did not complete it so yes I did PR with a 3:22!!! And I am more than happy about the results.

Fast, painful (after wards) and tougher than I thought it would be!

Trained for approx. 6 months. Did not train with anyone or any guides, I simply ran and made sure I was confident I would be able to get to the coveted 26.2 mile distance. During the summer I competed and completed a few half marathons (Timp, South Jordan), and a couple triathlons to ensure I was hitting the mark and was as fast as I could be. I cut out things such as pizza, sweets, as many saturated fats as possible and upped my protein intake before rides or runs.

I completed my longest run of 22 miles 3 weeks ago, intended to get one more long run in but was hit by a car while I was cycling a week and a half ago. I held off so my swollen knees and ankles would have some time to rest prior to race day. Make sure you are ready to run downhill, don't procrastinate or think "its downhill, it will be easy."

RUN DOWN HILL!! Pick a half or a full that may not have such the elevation change and challenge your body to that. Downhill is perceived as easy but it can be brutal on your body.

Laid down on the lawn! Ate pizza (oh my god it was good as it was the first slice I've had in about a year. But Hey! I earned it). listened to the great live music and congratulated many of my fellow competitors. I especially congratulated the older among us, they are a true inspiration to the rest of us!

5/5 Stars

The course is amazing and Big Cottonwood is one of the most organized races I have ran. I race with my brother and Big Cottonwood is one that we both enjoy. I had a great experience. I loved every second!

No I didn't PR,but I am happy with my time.

Beautiful, fun, and fast. I love feeling the breeze on my back and seeing such beautiful country. So blessed to be able to enjoy such a wonderful run.

My advice would be to train on down hills.

Eat lots of protein the night before. Relax and have fun.

I .....use the honey buckets hahaha. I loved the cold towels that was nice to have available. I am from layton.

5/5 Stars

Yes. 25 minutes faster than the RnR Denver

Amazing. Beautiful

5/5 Stars

The beautiful canyon certainly made everything about the run special. It was a great first half for me - the course was challenging but made room for my lung capacity which is that of an infant.

It was my first half - so naturally I PR'd the heck out of it.

Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! Everything was Perfect!

I would train more on downhill courses.

Train downhill and pace yourself.

SLC, UT.

5/5 Stars

I had a crap start with a delayed flight that got in at 12:00am and then didn't get to my hotel until about 1:30am. Woke up around 3:50am to go to the packet pickup. After all that this was still the best "fast" course I have run. I had a blast every moment. It was beautiful especially when the sun started hitting the peaks. I didn't want the half to end!

No - I didn't race it but will come back for sure and go for a PR

Fantastic downhill that isn't so steep you blow out your legs - the perfect amount of effortlessness.

Didn't train for it but I run a lot of trails so that helped.

BRING A THROWAWAY HUGE SWEATSHIRT and the emergency blanket in the morning - it's freezing at the top!
Come ready to race.

I came from Oklahoma and am in Cedar City tonight ready to see Zion and Bryce tomorrow morning.

5/5 Stars

Everything was so well run! They provided heat blankets and gloves for the wait at the start line, the race started on time, and the course was absolutely gorgeous. I started getting some chafing around mile 8 (not enough Glide!) but the aid stations came immediately to my rescue with vasoline at every single stop. The volunteers were so friendly and helpful and encouraging. The only complaint I have about the course was that it was hot, but they can't control the temperature!! When I got to the finish line, I was severely dehydrated and the first aid tent staff were so responsive and nice. The medals were huge! This was a fabulous marathon experience for me.

Yes, by 4 minutes.

The first 18 miles in the canyon are simply stunning. The temperature is perfect, very shaded, and almost all downhill. The out-and-back loop from miles 18-23 were a rough rolling hill section in the glaring sun. The final 3.2 miles were also very hot but downhill, which made them more bearable.

My training was perfect for this race. My longest training run was 20 miles - I don't think I needed more to complete the marathon. I also did a rigorous weight training plan with a personal trainer once a week to build solid quads and hamstrings. I think that made a huge difference in my marathon experience.

I arrived 2 days early to acclimate to the altitude. I definitely recommend that. Also I can't emphasize enough how important weight training for my legs was. It made all the difference. Don't go out too fast on the downhills or you'll burn your legs out before you get to the out and back section.

Ate at Red Iguana for lunch after the race - such delicious Mexican food - try the moles

4/5 Stars

The course is beautiful- but very difficult. I would have like to seen water- aid stops at every mile. Especially after we exited the canyon and was out in that hot sun.

I did set a personal record- two minutes! And I did qualify for Boston for the 2nd time.. The other time was in Fargo N.Dakota.

Scenery was gorgeous- the grade was very difficult, elevation was no problem for me.

I live in southeast Texas - our summers are brutally hot!! Most of my training indoor- even the big mile runs.. I got to Salt Lake a week before the Marathon to incorporate some downhill training- but I needed a month or more!!

If doing this race- run A lot of downhill!!!

We spent a lot of time touring the beautiful mountain range!! We traveled from Beaumont Texas.

4/5 Stars

The start of the half marathon was very unorganized. Most runners didn't know the race was starting. I wasn't able to run with a pacer because the pacers weren't ready at the starting line. None of the pacers were around when the race started.

The finish area was AMAZING! Awesome food, lots of fun. I liked my official finish time card.

Yes I PR'd! My previous half marathon personal record was 2:05. I finish in 1:35

Awesome course. So fast and very pretty.

I'm local so I was able to train on the course and also down Little Cottonwood. I did lots of training downhill which helped a lot.

Have fun!

I'm local so I didn't do anything special. Awesome finish area with great food.

5/5 Stars

My favorite things from last year (beautiful course, the best volunteers ever, superior organization and communication, running super fast, post race fuel/result cards/pictures/massage) were at the top of my list again this year. You have successfully replicated the magic from last year. And it was even warmer at the start line! This is one of the more expensive races in the state, but it's also one of the premier races we have and brings in a lot of nice people from out of town.

Last year I ran a PR (1:38) in the half and this year, despite an early season injury and hiking the grand canyon rim to rim 5 days earlier, I ran a 1:39. Nothing makes a runner happier than blowing away their own expectations (except maybe watching their running friends do the same).

Perfect. Steep enough to let gravity work for me without worrying about hurting my knees, and the scenery is so beautiful it distracted me from how hard I was working. Elevation wasn't an issue at all. All the supporting police officers were incredible positive and smiling - one near the finish line was even high-fiving the runners going past him (when there weren't any cars around of course...)

I train here in Salt Lake so I am used to a little altitude. I run about 30 miles a week (35 if I'm really fortunate) and include at least one run of hill repeats and one tempo run per week. My long runs always have some serious hills in them. I also cross train by mountain biking, weight lifting, and using the elliptical or stair mill. My longest runs are only 13 miles - I should probably work up to 14 or 15 miles if I want to finish stronger since mile 10 on this course is just plain mean. The only advice I can give is to train hilly, do quad and glute strengthening exercises, and hold back a little for the first 8 miles (even though it's tempting to fly down those hills) because you will need your strength for the last five miles.

Plan to do something fun post-race (shop at City Creek, use your race packet coupon and ride the gondola at the ski resort, find some live music with good food nearby etc) because Utah is AWESOME. Trim your toenails quite a bit before running so much downhill (gross but important if you like keeping your toenails post-race).

I live in South Jordan. I showed up for the half marathon bus at 4:40 and got right on to a bus to the start line. Thank you for having a ton of restrooms at the start. I didn't do anything fun at the start - just got my gear set up and put on my (happy) race face.