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St. George Marathon Runner Comments

Back to St. George Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.8 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.8 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.3 
 
 
Number of comments: 216 [displaying comments 61 to 71]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 5 6 7 8 9 .. 22 > ]

 

Gary Davis from Camarillo, California (11/27/2010)
"Good scenery, nice people, great marathon" (about: 2010)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


After looking at the elevation profile, I thought all of the downhill would be a piece of cake, but I have never been so sore after a marathon. I loved every minute of this race, though. The course and scenery were spectacular. Race organization was top-notch all the way from the expo to the after-race festivities. They had all the details down to a science; aid stations, mile markers, wet towels at the ~25 mile mark, even a marker at the 25.2-mile point telling us we had 1 mile to go. Everything was just right.

I had the pleasure of meeting several St. George residents during my brief stay in this city and also had pleasant dealings with some of the many volunteers at this event. I came away with the distinct impression that St. George is populated by really nice people. Everyone was so helpful and upbeat. As an example, after the race I went to pick up my sweats that were transported from the starting line. One of the volunteers spotted me walking toward the pickup area from 50 yards out. She read my bib number from a distance and by the time I arrived at her station, she had my bag in hand with all of my stuff ready to go. What great service!! It's no wonder this event is so popular.

 

J. P. from Atlanta, Georgia (11/25/2010)
"Like a fine symphony..." (about: 2010)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


With all the positive hype about St. George, I was prepared to be disappointed. Even my already-lofty expectations were blown away. The course could not have been more majestic - it was stunning! While the spectator areas were few and far between, the people were fantastic and unbelievably kind (some families were handing out ice pops near the end, and another had oranges). The volunteers were among the best (and most energetic) I've seen at my 12 marathons. The expo was great (big thanks to Terry Tucker for giving a course overview - along with a lot of laughs), the medals was spectacular (and unique), and the post-race area had great food/drinks. Everything came together like a fine symphony. Do prepare for the Veyo hills - they were much steeper than I had anticipated. Also make sure to coordinate pick-up if you rely on a hotel shuttle at the finish line, as I had to wait in 80+ degree heat for nearly an hour. Thanks to everyone for a wonderful race!

 

L. K. from St. Louis, Mo. (11/10/2010)
"LOVED IT!" (about: 2010)

6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I am so glad I finally got to run this race. Everything was well organized and the people in St. George were so friendly. We flew into Las Vegas and drove over to STG the day before. Great, scenic run... the crowds and support were great once we got close to STG - about mile 20, I think. Nice showing of people at Veyo as we prepared for the climb there. I sure wish it had been a little cooler. It got above 80 near the end. Enjoyed the water mister and the COLD face cloths near the finish. I loved this one so much that I may go back again!

 

J. N. from Chicago (10/27/2010)
"The heat killed the day." (about: 2010)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I was really excited about running St.George as I was hoping for a PR and maybe a BQ but 2010 ended up being the warmest in SGM history. The heat was the story du jour!! Miles 8-12 are uphill, but if you can get to the last 6, you are looking good. Beautiful scenery but unfortunately the heat killed 2010... the only thing that can't be controlled.

 

r. w. from midwest (10/19/2010)
"VERY SCENIC COURSE" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Some of the views along the course were just stunning. It is still a challenging course with plenty of uphill along the way. Being from the flatlands it seemed like the first 7 miles downhill were not as easy as anticipated with the elevation. I trained a fair amount doing downhills but this course pounds your quads. Mine were literally numb for the last 3-4 miles into St. George. The weather was warm; according to the host at the start, it was the warmest temp at the race start in 34 years. Water at the stops was somewhat of a problem in my opinion. Since I tried to at least double up fluid at each, it required stopping to get multiple cups, which usually were less than half-filled. The water stops should have been spread out with the volunteers so as to allow getting multiple cups if needed without stopping. That may be nitpicking, but hey, this race is billed as the most organized, and when you are racing the clock, an extra 10 seconds at each stop adds minutes. To me, Twin Cities Marathon is the most organized, but this course definitely is scenic, and on a good-weather day it is a PR course!

 

J. L. from Colorado (10/14/2010)
"Must Run this Race!" (about: 2010)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Though everyone claims this is an all-downhill race, they are quite wrong with miles 7-12, which are all uphill. However, that's early in the race, and if you can handle that, you've got smooth sailing ahead with wonderful downhills (except mile 18) that keep you flying to the finish. I PR'd by over 3 minutes despite the heat of the day, which was unusually hot (finished in the mid 70's). The organization is fantastic - no waiting in lines at the expo, at the bus lines, etc. This is the first of 10 marathons where I actually noticed the scenery as it was so gorgeous. I would absolutely run this marathon again.

 

D. C. from Idaho (10/13/2010)
"Crazy Good!" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 6+ St. George Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Utah has some great marathons, but St. George is the best overall. They've done this for 34 years and have everything down to a science. Unless they can figure out a way for me to run faster, there is nothing they can improve on.

Perfect organization!

Terrific volunteers.

Great support.

Fantastic finish area!

Highly scenic course.

Take it from someone who has run this race a number of times: Be prepared for uphills from miles 7-12. This course is overall downhill, but watch out for those miles!

Great job, St. George!

 

J. J. from Riverton, Utah (10/11/2010)
"Best Marathon Experience - Thanks, St. George!" (about: 2010)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Since I live in Utah, I am very aware of this Marathon's reputation. But the reality was much better than anything I expected. The expo was great, the volunteers were awesome, and the starting line was flawless (loved the Elite section). The course is the best I have run. I have done 6 previous marathons, but this course takes the cake. It is not all downhill, but the placement and distribution of the uphill is perfect.

Spectators were awesome at Veyo, Snow Canyon and in town. The scenery was awesome. The support on the course was great(thanks for the misters). The organization was flawless.

I BQ'ed for the first time this year, so this one will hold a special place in my memories. I will be sure to try to get into next year's race.

 

J. B. from Austin, TX (10/11/2010)
"Great course...on the right day" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


I really looked forward to this race after "getting in" via lottery. The course was exactly what I expected (big net drop with some climbing from 7.5 to 12ish). I would really like to run this one again when the weather is better. The organization (packet pickup, transportation, water stops, finish area) was first-class all the way. Great job, St. George!!

 

Pearly Van Niekerk from I live in Lake Forest IL, from Zimbabwe (10/10/2010)
"The Perfect Race to Do!" (about: 2010)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


I was not so prepared for the altitude and how it would affect me when I had to run up Veyo. I live in Chicago and we have no hills and altitude like that.

I heard about the St. George Marathon and was so excited to get accepted into the lottery. I trained the best I could. I was so amazed by the beauty of the volcanic rocks and how far I cold see: perfect blue sky and beautiful white fluffy clouds. I had to walk up Veyo, the KILLER beautiful HILL... which is worse than Heartbreak Hill in Boston. I loved the race and have told many of my runner friends to sign up for it and do it. I was also amazed how the altitude opened my lungs and made me run faster only downhill and slow uphill.

Thanks to all of the volunteers - you each deserve a medal for the service you have done for all the runners to make our race day wonderful. Thanks to the Bengay men and ladies.... If it weren't for the Bengay volunteers, my quads would have given up on me. I even went dancing in 3-inch heels later that night. Thank you so much; this is a race I'll never forget!

 

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