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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 131 to 141]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 12 13 14 15 16 .. 22 > ]

 

J. C. from Broomfield, CO (10/21/2006)
"A Great Marathon" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 St. George Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Ran St. George for the second time in 2006, and have to say that it is an impressive marathon. Scenery was breathtaking, organization was meticulous, and the whole community seemed to open up and support the event. I would recommend it to anyone.
 

R. N. from Atlanta (10/19/2006)
"One of the best: Great course and views." (about: 2006)

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


I had come to the race having heard plenty about it. The experience exceeded expectations. Organization was meticulous, buses to the start were well planned, and the finishing area was great. The course itself definitely sets up for a PR if you know what to expect. I did manage to set a new PR and go sub-3 hours, which was pleasing. I trained hard for the declines and expected the inclines as well (which was welcomed relief from the significant declines!). This was my 4th marathon after New York, Chicago and Nashville. St. George, as a city, you have done well. Full praise for a terrific marathon. I hope to be back.
 

A. W. from Sedona, AZ USA (10/14/2006)
"Splendid course! Amazing first marathon experience" (about: 2006)

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


This was my first full marathon and my wonderful experience motivates me to do more! The course was peaceful and beautiful. The organization and support were fantastic. The expo had lots of fun stuff and good deals. The size of the event was very nice and at no point overcrowded on the course. I felt the course was not very difficult. Just include some long mellow hills in your training. The bus ride up and the warming fires were a fun way to meet fellow runners. I liked starting without a crowd up in the mountains under a full moon. Lovely!
 

M. J. from Southern California (10/12/2006)
"Better than I expected!!!" (about: 2006)

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


To be honest, I was a bit nervous going to Utah - not nervous for my life, but being an African-American, I was nervous how I would be accepted.

I know some reading this will say, "Give me a break!!"

But I know in states such as Utah, Idaho, N./S. Dakotas, etc. we (African-Americans) are few and far between. When I do travel to these places, the looks I receive are sometimes odd, maybe just because they don't see many Africans-Americans unless they are on T.V.

But with that said, I couldn't have been accepted any better; the people, race, and the scenery were incredible. I would and hope to go back next year.

Setting a PR was icing on the cake, after two years of trying to go under four hours at the Los Angeles, San Diego, and Long Beach Marathons. I ran a 3:57 at this race.

The finish line food and goodies were excellent and the shirt is my new favorite. Great medal also.

I love the city and people of St. George!! Hope to see you next year. :)
 

C. F. from Salt Lake City, Utah (10/10/2006)
"1st Marathon and LOVING IT!!" (about: 2006)

1 previous marathon | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I've always wanted to run a marathon and everyone strongly suggested St. George. It was fabulous! The people were great, it was organized and what a party afterwards! I can't wait until next year!! :)
 

H. O. from Oregon (10/9/2006)
"Not all downhill, but a good race" (about: 2006)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 St. George Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


Even though I set a PR by almost 14 minutes, I wouldn't classify this as an "easy" marathon. The hills in the first half can really do you in if you go out too fast. But if you pace yourself, you can get up some speed on the declines in the second half. Also remember that it starts at about one mile in elevation, so if you only train at sea level, you might feel like you are running with weights on your ankles. I was fortunate to fall in with a Clif Shot pace team that kept me from going out too fast. Even though I lost them at about mile 18, it was still great to be with the group for that long.

The weather was very nice for this year's race - nippy at the start but very pleasant for most of the way. Full moon setting to our right and the sun rising to our left. Really beautiful. The aid stations were well stocked and the volunteers very nice.

Would have liked more selection of 30th anniversary wear at the expo - I have enough cotton t-shirts! Was looking for Polartec or Tyvec - didn't see either. Would like to say that reading the race comments in MarathonGuide.com helped me train for this race. However would guess that those who complain about the hills at St. George have never run Big Sur or Lake Tahoe! It was obvious to me from the elevation map that this race has significant inclines, so I wasn't surprised.

I would definitely recommend this race if you can get in and find a place to stay. Get your hotel before you enter the lottery! What with the Columbus Day holiday and the World Senior Games starting the week after the marathon, St. George is bursting at the seams!
 

H. S. from Sawpit, CO (10/9/2006)
"One of the Best!!" (about: 2006)

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


This would be a great 1st marathon - big but not too big. The road is closed and you get both lanes of a state highway through the desert. The surface is nice. Despite what anyone says, this is a fast course. It's got some hills, but it's fast. I'm sure there are faster courses, but this is a fast one. You run by old volcanoes and red rock. The support is great along the way. I really appreciated the Clif Bar Pace team guy, he helped a lot. I PR'd. Everyone needs to do this race at least once. It's a classic, with great finish line goodies, a polished red rock medal, and a great dry-tech shirt. It's a classic desert race. If there is any negative, it is getting to St. George. It's in the middle of nowhere....
 

D. C. from Utah (10/8/2006)
"Best overall marathon in the nation" (about: 2006)

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


Everything about this marathon is top-notch. I've run big-city marathons in major cities and they can't come close to this one. The scenery is stunning, the course hard but reasonable, and there is great community support. The main challenge is getting through the lottery selection process (they only take 6,700 runners to maintain the quality of the experience) to be able to participate. If you are lucky enough to get in, don't miss this race.
 

D. W. from Atlanta GA (10/8/2006)
"One of the Best" (about: 2006)

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


This race gets 5 stars all round. The organization, the course and the people of St. George were fantastic. If you train for the declines you can take full advantage of this breathtaking course. I have run 14 marathons, including Boston three times, London, New York and Chicago twice. This is at the top of my list. I put in a lot of work to prepare and ran a sub three-hour (2:58). This is definitely a PR course.

Thank you to the wonderful organizers. See you next year!!

-The Aussie from ATL
 

B. J. from West Hollywood, CA (10/8/2006)
"Fantastic Race" (about: 2006)

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


This is definitely a PR course if you train for hills. Don't listen too much to the naysayers that complain about the climb at mile 7 - it's not that significant when compared to the race overall. This course is FAST! I wish I'd trained more for the declines because I could take the gentler grade declines much faster than some of steeper 6% and 8% downhill grades that are on the course. Ultimately, though, I ended up with a 20-minute PR and qualified for Boston with 10 minutes to spare.

The weather on race day was perfect - it's cold where they bus you up into the hills. Be prepared with extra clothing to discard before you start. The scenery as you run is stunning - especially the red rock gorge at mile 15.

The race organization, aid stations, and finish line were all stellar. Everyone should do this marathon at least once!
 

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