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Salt Lake City Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Salt Lake City Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.1 
Spectators 3.9
Number of comments: 162 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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R. S. from Texas
(4/26/2012)
"Nice venue, but a little disjointed" (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Salt Lake City is a great host city and this marathon had a lot going for it in it's favor. The main issue for 2012 was the transition from Devine race direction to the new owners of the race and the uneasiness that it gave us 'out of towners' that would fly in to the race, not knowing if the event was actually going to go off. The race did go off and although communication of the details was limited, it actually went very smoothly. No race goodie bag and no information sheet telling you how to get a drop bag, where the drop would be, what train to take to the start, etc., which created some unnecessary worry. The race overall was very scenic once you get off the main hwy thru town and although the temperatures were high, no water station I encountered ran out of fluids. Course is downhill and flat, but there was a significant incline from about mile 11.5 to past the half marathon point and one of about three blocks leading up to the temple at the end before turning left and providing a nice downhill to the Union Pacific train station (little over 1/4mile). Hopefully the race direction ownership is settled and this race can provide a more secure feeling in the future for those of us that had to travel to the event and were told that even if it is cancelled, there will be no refund. In addition to providing more information, the race directors need to detail the course map better, as very few streets were labeled and previewing the course was difficult. Kudos to the police department for blocking every cross street on the course. From my experience in many marathons, I have to say that this race had the best police protection of any event I have entered, and logistically, there were a lot of cross streets encountered. The small but enthusiastic crowds were also appreciated as well as the volunteers at all the aid stations. We stayed at a Hampton Inn downtown and it was very convenient to the expo, to catch the TRAX to the start and about a 4block walk back from the finish as well as an indoor pool and hot tub that came in handy before and after the race. The location is also convenient to the airport. For a Saturday race with an early start, I would think this would be a good choice for those wanting to do a double in one weekend. | |
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M. W. from Fort Collins, CO
(4/22/2012)
"Great race" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Salt Lake City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 It was my first visit to Salt Lake City and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I was a bit worried about the change of organization so close to the race date, but it was probably one of the better organized marathons that I have run. Pros: Great city, easy course Well staffed aid stations and plenty of police support at all road crossings Beautiful medal Small expo (which I personally prefer) Cons: So-so t-shirt A race held on Saturday morning. This made it extremely difficult for out of towners to get to the Friday expo before 7pm. Overall, great race. Thank you SLC! | |
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J. R. from Virginia
(6/24/2011)
"Important things done right, but..." (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Salt Lake City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 To a great degree, the Salt Lake City marathon was a positive experience. The important things (those related to the race itself) were done right, but there were too many smaller (and admittedly less important) things that Devine got wrong, suggesting a lack of customer focus and doing things on the cheap. First the good news: 1. The scenery at the beginning of the course was beautiful. Running with the Wasatch Mountains in the background was a real treat for this flatlander from the east. 2. TRAXX ran at increased frequency, making it easier to get to the start line. It was crowded, but nothing out of the ordinary for a Metro rider from Washington, DC. 3. Packet pick up was a breeze and the volunteers were helpful and friendly. 4. Plenty of sports drink and water handed out by friendly volunteers. 5. Gear pick up was great-the handlers saw me coming and had my bag ready when I arrived. They were also very friendly (seems to be a pattern). Now the not so good news. 1. It took me 3 emails (which were never responded to) and 3 phone calls to get Devine to send my 'age group award' What was it? A generic finisher's medal-not a special age group award medal, but the common garden variety finisher's medal. In each of the 6 communications, I clearly stated that I was looking for my age group award. This was quite disappointing and has left a sour taste in my mouth about the race as a whole. 2. No pace groups. In an event of this size, pace groups are the norm. Why not this one? 3. The goody bags were about what you'd expect from a neighborhood 5k, not from a race of this size. The bags contained a few fliers hawking goods and services-nothing else. What's the point? 4. The goody bags were supposed to be used as the gear drop bags, according to the event web site, but the bags were flimsy plastic shopping bags. Mine was already ripping when I left the expo. To its credit, Devine did offer sturdy gear bags and permanent markers at the gear drop off point, but there was no way that we would know this in advance. 5. The finisher's medal was a nice design, but exceedingly generic. The medal did not specify the year or date of the race-but there was '2011' on the neck ribbon. Nothing really wrong with this, but it gave the sense of medals on the cheap-they could reuse the same medal next year and just substitute a new ribbon. It sent the wrong message. | |
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R. M. from Draper, Utah
(4/20/2011)
"2011 Nice Work!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Salt Lake City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Ran the 1/2 marathon this year, and I have to say that the race organizers stepped it up this year. The one area that needed attention, the clothing bag pick up, was organized and handled much better than in the prior two years - and that makes a huge difference. Course was well marked. Aid station at mile 8 for the 1/2 marathoners needs a little attention spacing-wise and help with both water and PowerAde distribution. Post-race support was very good. A great early-season event. All in all, very good. Volunteer effort was excellent and spectators were great, as always. | |
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James Patterson from Idaho Falls, ID
(4/18/2011)
"Fun course, need more options at aid stations" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Salt Lake City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was my third half marathon. I made it to Ogden and Pocatello in 2010. This one ranked right in the middle of those two. The Good: the course was entertaining and beautiful for someone who doesn't know Salt Lake all that well. It was a nice representation of all that SLC seems to be about. Started up at the University of Utah, wound its way through quaint neighborhoods, the Sugarhouse area and ended appropriately downtown with a jaunt past Temple Square and the Gateway Plaza. As far as organization goes, it was pretty well done. TRAX was easy to use (if you got on early enough) and post-race bag pickup was efficient as well. The Not So Good: Even the Pocatello Half Marathon I ran in offered Gu, bananas and orange slices at aid stations. For an event of this size, I really was appalled there was no more than just water and Powerade along the course. Especially since there was so much food at the end. Shift some money and resources to the aid stations rather than having so much food at the end. The spectatorship was a little underwhelming as well. Not much better than at Pocatello, and that's saying a lot considering the contrast in population. Also, the shirt this year was absolutely hideous. I would be embarrassed to use it as a car-washing rag, let alone run in it. Awful mustard yellow color with a huge sticker on the front. A huge disappointment. | |
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G. S. from SLC
(4/18/2011)
"Nothing spectacular, but a good race" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a good race, but I'm not sure I'd do it again, especially considering how expensive it is. The course is nice, although a little boring at certain points. The weather is perfect this time of year, and the volunteers and spectators are great. My only complaints are that there are no gels or other type of fuel besides PowerAde at the aid stations (for the price of the marathon, there should've been SOMETHING else available), and that the marathoners have to weave around the walkers and half marathoners for the first part of the run. Different start times for the half and full marathon would help alleviate that. It's hard to find your groove when you're weaving around other runners/walkers. Overall, a good, well-organized run, though. | |
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D. L. from Utah
(4/16/2011)
"Not worth the cost; poorly organized." (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 4 Devine appears to care about running the race on a shoestring budget. This could be a great race, but under the current race management I doubt the future. I will forward my comments to the mayor; we need change in 2012 - a new race director is in order. No potholes were marked on the course. I saw two people twist ankles. Not enough porta-potties. Long lines at every aid station and the beginning. No food or GU on the race course (except provided by spectators). For 90 bucks I would expect more. But Devine has had 8 years to run this race, and I see little improvement in that time. I will not run this race again, and advise other to skip this one next year. | |
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B. H. from Salt Lake City, UT
(4/16/2011)
"Decent marathon" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Salt Lake City Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is the second year I have run this marathon. I will summarize pluses and minuses. Pluses: Numerous port-a-potties Great volunteers Decent course Minuses: Can be expensive if you sign up late Aid stations only have Gatorade and water (just be aware) Fan support is kind of weak, in my opinion Weak schwag Poor t-shirt design Overall, it was an okay marathon. I wrote a much stronger positive review last year, but after doing other marathons in Utah and elsewhere, I see that you pay a lot for not much in return. I am just not sure where all the money goes. I spent $95 and signed up over two months in advance. I almost would rather just pay the great volunteers out of my own pocket. The schwag was nothing compared to what I have received at cheaper marathons and the shirt this year looked like a bib painted on a t-shirt. We didn't even receive safety pins in our grab bag. The medal was pretty cool, I have to admit. I am from Salt Lake City and some of the fans were great, but others just kind of stared at you while you passed. At the end in the Gateway, I could have heard a pin drop as I came across the finish line. Kind of disappointing. There were some great people who were handing out oranges, bananas and other things, and I am so thankful to those people. There was an ice cream stand at mile 8 and I had a beer at mile 21 at the "temptation station," which really hit the spot. My complaints are probably nit-picky, but I just think this marathon is very close to being great if they just stretched your dollar a little more and the fans could be a little more supportive of the runners and this race. Course: The course is beautiful just because of the mountains in the background, but there are not many turns and in several areas you end up just going straight down the same road for quite a while. Didn't bother me, but it might be more interesting if we did a few more turns. First half is pretty much gradually downhill. The last 13 are pretty much flat, with a bit of an uphill at the end as you come up State Street, where many people were forced to walk. I would advise signing up super early if you want to do this marathon. I only spent $65 last year and felt like it was worth every penny. Maybe I am just bitter that I signed up too late.... | |
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R. G. from Layton, Utah
(5/27/2010)
"Another good job!" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Salt Lake City Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my second SLC Marathon. I really like this event and will be back again. Aid stations were top notch. Police did a phenomenal job keeping us safe. My only complaint is that full marathoners make a loop through a park and merge with slower half-marathoners who fill the street. It is hard to navigate that section and find your groove. Yes, the hill in mile 24 is hard - but it's more mentally hard than physically hard. Finish is great! Good shirt again. Pretty good medal. While I prefer the Ogden Marathon, this one is definitely worth it. | |
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Scott Palmer from Montana
(5/13/2010)
"Good Marathon" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The course elevation chart may be a little off. That two-mile hill at the end was gradual, but I'm sure it gained more elevation than the marathon website showed. (If not, it sure appeared that way). There was a special aid station for quitters somewhere around mile 17 - I think. It was hilarious. The sign read, "you know you want to quit," and they were handing out shots of what looked like Whiskey in dixie cups to anyone who would simply give up. That was so funny that I laughed for about 2 miles. Salt Lake is clean, and since they hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002, it is really a beautiful city to run. |
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