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Deseret News Classic Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Deseret News Classic Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.8 
Organization 3.3 
Spectators 3.2
Number of comments: 96 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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A. S. from Sikeston, MO
(7/30/2013)
"Tough but beautiful" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Deseret News Classic Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I was a little scared going into this race because of the altitude and negative reviews. I'm a flatlander so I knew it would be a challenge. The race was very well organized but fairly basic (do another race if you expect lots of extras). The course was absolutely beautiful and a quadriceps killer (make sure to train for down hills or prepare to be sore). The turns and intersections were well marked and staffed by volunteers or police. Overall I had a great experience. The only two negatives is that the race website boasts that you will have 100,000 people cheering you along the parade route (maybe for the 10k but not the full marathon). The food was mostly gone by the time I finished in 4:21 (got a banana and water) and the shuttle buses were hard to find. However I'd definitely do this marathon again. | |
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M. S. from Utah
(7/25/2013)
"Race organizaton and support" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Deseret News Classic Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 2 I have run close to 40 marathons and Deseret News 11 times. I really enjoy Deseret News. It is a tough course/race and I believe that is why not too many people choose to run it. I had a few concerns with this years race. The packet pick-up and 'expo' was interesting at Wasatch Running. Traffic was a bit challenging, but worked out ok. The start of the marathon was not too well organized. No sound system, I know you had problems. Water/Gatorade support. It would be nice to have more Gatorade at the water stops. For the marathoners at least it would be nice to have water stops every mile after mile 22. It gets hot and is tough to push through those last 4 miles. The finish was disappointing. Water from a hose being dipped out of a trough in each cup. Not sure how that passes health standards. Water was warm and tasted like a vinyl hose. Oranges, bananas and smoothies were good. The French toast folks closed down before most of the marathoners were in. We really were looking forward to some carbs. Bread, bagels, etc. The massage people did a very good job. I really like this marathon and want to see it succeed and continue. I feel that it is getting very little support and the focus is on the 10K and the half marathon. Please support the marathon and work to make it a better experience for those who may not run it just for the course and the challenge. | |
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k. s. from canada
(7/24/2013)
"race isnt for the first timer - can tell you that" (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Deseret News Classic Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This was my 4th marathon - and also have done 20 or so halfs in last 7 years, and honestly after driving the race before in the car, I figured yes - tough , but doable in a decent time. I did a 430 and was hoping for a sub 4 hr. I train hills. was happy for pre ride up hill, but having to get out of house by 2.45 am to catch bus, wasn't pretty and then the wait for the 5.30 start. and to run out of Gatorade some ways from finish line, not acceptable, and same medal as the 5km finishers ? no biggie - but just saying honestly wouldn't do it again. best part of day was after race massage, free - but I tipped her 20.00. | |
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B. H. from Texas
(10/24/2012)
"Challenging, small race" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Deseret News Classic Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I prefer the small races so I choose wisely with this one. The organization it takes to drive runners to the start of a races miles away and up narrow, winding roads is something to think about. You have to wake up really early to catch a ride to the start. Then you wait at the starting line (in the slightly chilled air). The first portion of the race is on narrow moutain roads. The air is thinner, the downward grade will hurt (even though you think it won't), and you will be dodging bikes and cars. After you come off the mountain, you're running in residential areas, and then along some pretty boring roads. There aren't too many spectators. By this point, it's pretty hot too. That being said, every aid station was stocked and the other runners were very supportive. Any race in July is going to be tough. If you're trying to cross off state and don't have anything going on in July, I recommend this one. | |
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T. T. from US
(8/6/2012)
"Worst marathon to date" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Deseret News Classic Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 This was my 35th marathon and this was by far my least favorite and most miserable. Everything about this marathon lacked energy - from the packet pickup to waiting around for the start to the finish line. There were no fans and even those at the water stops were unenthusiatic. Waiting at the top for 90 minutes was silly. Water stops were too far apart. I couldn't wait to get this one over with. | |
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Jim Daigneau from North York, ON, Canada
(8/4/2012)
"Tough Race If Not Used to Running At Altitude" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Deseret News Classic Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Further to the comments of the marathoners from Maryland and Illinois, to date I've run 23 marathons and found this one to be the toughest one(by far!) in terms of the downhill course, altitude (7500+' down to 4400' in SLC) for anyone used to running closer to sea-level or at lower elevations (along with the heat once you enter SLC) if you're having a tough day. I'm from the Toronto-area and ran my 'personal worst' marathon time at Deseret. That said, this race offers a very scenic course thru Emigration Canyon with views of Salt Lake valley and I found the 'Days of 47' history of Pioneer Day holiday interesting. Logistics weren't great but this is a smaller race. Not a race to run a PR though (unless you're from the Rocky Mountain West) and expect a rough day if you typically run on either the east or west coast. | |
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Lena Lindberg from Schaumburg, IL
(7/29/2012)
"Worst marathon iv ever done" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Deseret News Classic Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I've run 14 marathons in 8 states and 2 countries in Europe so I get around and know what a good race should b like. The course was boring and had no spectators. It was hard on my body because it was a constant down hill, I normally only experience pain after I run....not during but this race I did, and had my worst time ever. When I finished they had run out of water! The shuttle busses going back were a mess and weren't properly marked. I was lucky to get back to my hotel at all....no cabs cuz parade had streets closed off. When I registered at the expo I was given a bib number for the 10k when I clearly wrote full marathon and if I didn't go back and change it I would have been out of luck. I drove in from Las Vegas and the day of packet pick up I tried contacting the race director via e-mails and phone calls and I never got a response! I would advise anyone to skip this run. Worst marathon of my life! | |
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D. L. from Maryland
(7/26/2012)
"Brutal" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Deseret News Classic Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I've run more than a dozen marathons, and found this one to be just brutal. I'd read the comments about this race and prepared well. I took warm clothes and a blanket to the start line. I've practiced running downhill. I was ready for the heat. And none of that mattered. The first ten miles down the mountain were easy and fun. I had to hold myself back from running too fast. By mile 13, the constant downhill was bothering my hamstrings. By mile 18, I was in constant pain in my hamstrings and knees. By mile 20, I had to walk, since it hurt too much to run. Around me, at least 80% of the others were walking too. The weather was hot, and the water stops were only every other mile. As I was walking, that meant 30 minutes between water stops in the hot July Utah heat. I was smart enough to pack some cash, and made my own water stop at a 7-Eleven along the race route. There were very few spectators to cheer us on. The traffic control was minimal, on Emigration Canyon road, there were cars going both ways that ignored the runners. Lots of bicyclists also on the race route whizzing by. I would only recommend this race to those looking for a hardcore mountain marathon experience. | |
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B. J. from Florida
(7/27/2011)
"Challenging course - poor organizational support" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Deseret News Classic Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This race starts at an altitude of 7500 feet and with a significant descent for the first 5 miles of probably between a 7% to 10% grade. Race preparation must include lots of training and practice to condition your legs to that type of stress. Local runners are aware of this but it may not be complete apparent to others. So if you are coming from flatlands and sea level - beware. Likewise, although everyone was very nice and tried to be helpful, there were some very simple things they should have included especially for a race that's been around for over 40 years. Namely, race volunteers or officials at key turns on the course or at a minimum, clear directional signage or road markings. There is a short out and back between miles 9 and 10 where there is just a cone in the road which is supposed to signify a turn around - however it had a sign with an arrow pointing straight ahead. How about a u-turn sign? Or a person posted at the cone to let runners know where to go? Fortunately the runner in front of me had run the race before and knew that this was a turn around, so I followed him. At slightly past mile 24 there was supposed to be a left turn - however, again no signage and no race officials. In fact, police on hand to block traffic for the parade were uninformed about the race route and even sent one runner the opposite direction. I actually ran an extra block and was directed to run down the parade route by a police officer which added over a half mile to the race course. I realize that sounds very negative - but this race is really an adventure and seriously physically challenging to say the least and despite those aforementioned issues, I actually had a pretty good time at this race. It is low key, but the local runners are tight-knit and very supportive of each other both before, during and after the race. | |
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Richard Ostler from Salt Lake City, UT
(10/9/2010)
"Good Marathon" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Deseret News Classic Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I have run this marathon 9 times (first time was back in 1982). It is my local course as I grew up near the mouth of Emigration Canyon. I appreciate Bob Wood and his team's help to organize this race. A few notes to those running this race: 1) There is a lot of down time at the top waiting for the race to start. In 2010 it was pretty cool (close to 40 degrees). In 2009 it was warmer. This year we went to Wal-Mart and bought $5 chairs. We really wanted someplace to sit down versus walking/standing for over an hour waiting for the race to start. We ended up getting the chairs at the bottom since we put our numbers on the back of the chairs. 2) The first 4 miles are the steepest downhill miles I run all year long (even steeper than anything at St. George). Take it easy on these first 4 miles. 3) Enjoy the canyon; it is the best part of the race. You leave the canyon around mile 16. 4) Once you leave the canyon, you get more crowd support. However, the city is more focused on the parade than the marathon. 5) The volunteers are great. 6) The heat (I think near 70-75 at the finish line) hasn't bothered me much. I drink at least 3 cups of water at all aid stations after 13. I also pour 2-3 cups of water on me at each aid station. It is a good race. However, I got smoked by my 18-year-old son and my 48-year-old younger brother. :-) |
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