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☰
Big Cottonwood Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Big Cottonwood Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.5 
Spectators 3.8
Number of comments: 155 [displaying comments 141 to 151]
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S. C. from NY
(9/16/2013)
 "HARD" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Big Cottonwood Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 DO NOT run this race unless you have ample training on downhills....and I mean ample...a lot...!!! I knew it was 17 miles of downhill, I knew my quads would take the brunt of that ...what I didnt know was that by mile 5, my quads were done, finished, kaput!!! I really dont know how anyone can train for this race and prepare your body for this...I was shocked by what I had to go through. By mile 10, I was teary-eyed, by mile 17 I wanted to quit, bail out,....The ONLY thing that kept me pushing forward was my brain telling me to and my tenacious spirit that wont let me quit! My legs were shot....I could barely lift them... That said, everything else was fine...There was a small glitch in the beginning with a stuck bus on a hairpin turn going up the canyon, however this was swiftly dealt with. The race started 30 minutes late as a result BUT everyone understood...Course support was great, aid stations a-plenty, there was even a 'fixer-uppper' station mile 18...Since I struggled so much on the course, I got to 'enjoy' a sudden downpour complete with lightening and thunder...scary moments...I was never so happy to see the finish and crossed with some time to spare...Next day, my time wasnt in the official results...Again, swiftly dealt with by the timing folks and my, and many others, results are now listed on the official...Big Cottonwood is a very special race for runners who can run 17 miles of a 5,000ft descent. I found out the hard way, I am not one of them! | |
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E. S. from Western USA
(9/16/2013)
 "Too much downhill, is that even possible? YES!" (about: 2013)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Big Cottonwood Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Amazing race organization, fabulous shirts, awesome swag especially the mylar blankets and gloves, fantastic plentiful aid stations, great medals. The delayed start due to the high centered bus was handled well. I won't run this one again though because of the steep grade. For those questioning the elevation chart, may you consider that there is such a thing as too much downhill in a marathon course. Net downhill of 5300 ft = serious post race pain no matter how awesome you think you are. I found it difficult to focus on the gorgeous canyon because I was so focused on the road camber. I heard many complain about the steep downhill trashing their quads. My quads were fine, my calves were not. The marathon group that came from our area is a group of well trained downhill runners. We all agreed that this was excessive downhill. This was just beyond brutal after mile 21 even though it was quite flat. Running in traffic for those difficult miles was the low point. Get your downhill thrill at St. George or Ogden. | |
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J. V. from Santa Barbara, CA
(9/14/2013)
"This is going to be very popular" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Big Cottonwood Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Scenic, fast, great volunteers and race management. Probably one of the fastest courses. Will become a sellout. | |
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A. V. from Utah
(4/5/2013)
 "VERY fast course, but not a big city marathon" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Big Cottonwood Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon. I moved from IN (very flat area at sea level) 4 months prior to this marathon. I was lucky to train on the same course or same hills this marathon was set up on. Points to consider: - it is a very fast marathon for the first 14 miles (they changed the course for 2013, so it's going to be 17 miles in the canyon for 2013). - if you don't train downhill and uphill, you will suffer a lot after. - The 2012 had considerable elevation gain. If you're not from Utah or a mountain area or don't train on hills, you will have a big surprise. What I considered hills in IN are a joke in UT. - This was a VERY well organized marathon for being inaugural and not only. It has a great potential for becoming a great long term marathon.The organizers are very social media involved and also engaged with the runners, actively trying to improve the runner's experience. As far as I know, this marathon is organized by other runners. So runners that understand what runners need! That is very important. I've ran big marathons and was not as impressed as this one. - There is no expo. I don't care about the expo, so that was fine by me. - This is not a big city marathon. The canyon is closed so the first 14/17 miles are ran in solitude with the nature. I personally LOVED this. It was a bliss for me. I ran Chicago right after and I felt claustrophobic while running with other 45K runners and people shouting for the entire length of the race. If you need support and engagement with the spectators, you might want to reconsider this marathon - The canyon is absolutely gorgeous during fall. One of the most beautiful views and runs I've ever had (I also trained the entire summer in this canyon and I still did not get tired of the views). - This marathon starts at 6-6.30. It is dark up on the mountain at that time. You have to be on the bus at 5 am the latest. It is a bit of a hurdle, you can't just drive up the canyon on your own. If you're not used to this sort of start up, well... - The finish line lacked a little in food and goodies, but I expect the organization to take the runners comments seriously into account and I am sure this will improve. - I personally PR'ed by 26 minutes on this marathon and qualified for Boston. It is , once again, A FAST marathon. But it is very different than your typical big city marathon... I loved it and will run it again for as long as I will live in SLC and not get injured. | |
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C. H. from Sandy, UT
(2/27/2013)
 "Loved this Half Marathon" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Big Cottonwood Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the most organized, beautiful Half Marathon I have ever run. It was my favorite race last year and I am already registered for this year! | |
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B. W. from Salt Lake City, UT
(2/25/2013)
"Loved it !" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Big Cottonwood Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Awesome course! I was worried about the down hill but it really wasn't all that bad. I went ahead and registered for 2013 just as soon as I could. I can't wait to do it again. Oh, support people were awesome too. I was hurt but they took care of me, they helped me finish! | |
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C. P. from South Jordan, utah
(2/25/2013)
"My favorite race ever!" (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Big Cottonwood Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The big cottonwood 1/2 marathon was amazing. I have ran 3 other halfs, and this was by far my favorite. Running down the canyon was breathtaking. I felt so amazing, strong and free. Ths is one race I will run every year. | |
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M. S. from South Jordan, UT
(2/25/2013)
"Beautiful Course! Great organization!" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Big Cottonwood Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Even though this course is hard on your body, it is a beauty to run and fast! I set a PR by 6 minutes. The race was well organized and started right on time. I loved the medals at the end. I would definitely run this race again! | |
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Kelly-Anne Cozzati from Pembroke Pines, Florida
(2/25/2013)
"Awesome!" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Big Cottonwood Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the 1/2 marathon and had an unbelievable experience! The course was beautiful with the turning of fall leaves surrounding us. The aid stations were one of the best I've had the experience of dealing with. | |
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R. M. from SLC - Utah
(10/15/2012)
"Beautiful Mountain Course" (about: 2012)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Big Cottonwood Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very nice addition to Wasstch Front Marathons. Very pleasing course, superb organization. |
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