Utah Valley Marathon Reviews

  Beautiful run!

By CJM about 2024

Review

The expo was average. The course was amazing! The landscape was beautiful and worth "looking up".

Race Tips

There is more than one hill around mile 8.5. There are rolling hills for a few miles, so plan for it.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

The Marriott was perfect! The location and the rooms were great.

  Best race out there

By RD about 2023

Review

Best course ever. Scenery through the canyon is amazing. Horses, waterfalls and more. Fast course and easy on the body. Very well organized and managed. Definitely a course I would do again and again.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Finishline, expo and several nice hotels so convenient and walkable. Busses to start. Many amazing results both traditional and unique. Downtown Provo has alot to enjoy!

  Great scenery fast marathon.

By TC about 2023

Review

Marathon is very scenic. Race is well managed. Good stations throughout the race with water, snacks, etc. The best is that overall, it's a downhill race, which means I got my PR on this race!

Race Tips

Course is mostly down hill, gradual.

  Beautiful Well Run Downhill Course

By Mark about 2023

Review

Beautiful scenic downhill course. Great for downhill assist without being the steep "revel quad trasher". Great well organized expo, start area and aid stations had great volunteers, finish area is the best of any race. Plenty of food and great hang out post race atmosphere. Absolutely love this race. It's an annual tradition.

Race Tips

Even though it's not super steep, incorporate some downhill training and quad strengthening into your program and you'll benefit enormously

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I always like to get on the early race buses. Your not sleeping anyway, great to enjoy the pre race vibe

  Rolling hills course, not so much downhill

By Ryan about 2021

Review

Scenery is good. Race staff is excellent. High altitude, rolling hills and heat will slow you down. Also, the water stations should do a more consistent job of handing out water first, and Nuun second. Lastly, the start line setup fell behind, forcing the race to begin 10 minutes late.

Race Tips

I finished this marathon in 3:12, 14 minutes off from my goal. Although this is a net downhill course, don't let that fool you. There are plenty of long rolling hills that the course elevation chart doesn't show. You will also be running at elevation and in the heat.

Be sure to control your pace early, especially in the first 6 miles,or else you will pay for it later. I would recommend this race more for the runner who is just looking to enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace. It's not the best course for a BQ or PR unless you are acclimated to the high elevation and do well in heat. Be sure to hydrate well in the days leading up to race day, and train on lots of hills. I did, and it was still tough.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

The Provo Marriott is a good hotel, and is very conveniently located to the finish line. You can get a good rate through the Utah Valley Marathon website when registering.

  Scenic race

By Scott Wardle about 2019

Review

This entire course runs down scenic Provo canyon. The elevation loss provides for a fast time. Definitely a PR course. Half of the canyon highway is shut down for the race so there is plenty of room to run. This marathon is for sure a must do.

Race Tips

This course is mostly down hill with only a couple small up hills. The down hill is still very gentle and it is easy to get moving faster than your pace. Between this and the scenery it is an absolutely fun course.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Take time to pick up your bag. They have sponsors at the expo that hand out freebees, so it is a good place to stock up on those gel packs. The bus ride up in the morning is a bit early, but they have a garbage bag that you can drop off any warm clothes at the start. They take great care of the runners along the course. And the must have at the finish is creamy! Enjoy the course!

  My PR, and quick recovery

By bd about 2017

Review

I ran my best time ever, and still managed to recover quicker than on any other marathon. Many of the other marathons I have run are either flat, hilly, or have too much downhill. This course unlike others, had the perfect gentle downhill that helped me to keep moving with ease, but not pound my legs. The course was well supported, and beautiful (especially Bridal Veil Falls). This is a must do marathon!

Race Tips

Make sure that you don't go out too hard. I know that can be said of any course, but if you are not use to downhill it is even easier to go out too hard. If you don't overdo it in the beginning this course will help you to a strong finish.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Get a cheap hoodie at D.I. or Salvation Army that you can just dispose of on the side after the first few miles. The start is very chilly. They have fire pits at the starting area, but then after you start running the first couple of miles you will be a bit cold. You can shed a hoodie you don't care about on the course. They consider clothing on the course to be a donation to charity, so don't shed anything you care about.

  Amazing Race- My #1

By LCS about 2017

Review

I love this race. I have ran 100's of events and this by far is my favorite.

Race Tips

I have set my PR on a couple of distances.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Eat Local! there is a ton of good places to eat right downtown.

  They go the extra mile

By ra about 2017

Review

I like the PR bell in the finish (I was able to ring that bell by setting my personal record). I also liked that they had mist machines the last few miles to cool us off. The race was not super hot, but it was nice to have mist a few places in the last miles.

Race Tips

Take the last buses (they start busing super early... probably to beat the heat).

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

I love the Black Sheep in Provo. That place has a Navajo Taco Burger that is to die for, and it is only a block or two from the finish!

  Best Race in Utah!!!

By jw about 2017

Review

I have participated in most marathons and half marathons in Utah, and I can honestly say this is by far and away the best one. The scenery can't be beat with Bridal Veil Falls, Provo River, and Deer Creek. I love that this race doesn't take you out of the canyon until mile 21! Many other marathons in Utah have half, or sometimes even more than half of the race winding through ugly parts of town. This race is not too steep downhill. There are some races that kill your quads, but I was able to run Ragnar the week after this race without any problems.

Race Tips

Don't go too hard on the first half (that is true of any race). Also get a cheap hoodie you don't care to lose that you can shed on course after the first few miles. That starting line is cold.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Make sure that you stay at the Provo Marriott. This hotel is right next to the expo, and only one block from the finish.

  

By jw about 2015

Review

They race was well organized. I loved the otter pops in the last miles. Provo Canyon was beautiful, and this course gave me my pr.

Race Tips

This course is very fast, but be careful not to overdo it in the first half.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

The Provo Marriott is best as it is only one block from the finish.

  

By Anonymous about 2014

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

The Marriott is the place to stay, expo next door, busses to the start across the street, finish line a block away, the staff is very welcoming and they have everything including a bar if you want to indulge in a post race toast. However, I had a room on the South tower and a band played in the parking lot until probably 10 right below my window…not cool when your alarm is set for 3am.

  

By jlarson about 2013

Review

This was my second marathon, and after my first marathon I knew the experience would be hard to beat....Someone dropped the ball and they had NO PORTA_POTTIES during the entire 26 miles. They had them at the beginning and the end. It was awful, people just started finding weeds, or rocks to go behind. That made the entire experience unbearable!!!!!

Race Tips

A useful tip, always make sure the race describes where the bathrooms are. PS immodium AD will be your best friend. Don't forget to train with shot blocks, gu, or some snack to give you calories to burn, and don't forget to drink water when you train!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  

By Fred D. about 2013

Review

Reasonably well-run marathon with a very (!) scenic course. Expo pretty much a dud, but with small group that is to be expected.

Buses leave very early to take people to the starting line as there is no parking and no drop-off at the start. I caught a bus at 3am, so I had relatively little sleep the night before. Arrived at the start at 4am, so I had 2 hours to kill prior to the start! Temps were in the 40’s, but there were a number of campfires going in a nearby field to keep everyone warm, which was nice. Water and Power Aid at the start, but no food, so I did not have anything to eat prior to the race (big mistake). It would be great if they provided some food at the start, particularly since the wait is so long.

Starts off on an asphalt surface with a lot of gentle downhill. Sounds easy enough, but don’t be fooled. This race has a lot of downhill which is hard on the knees and quads. Added to that, the surface turns to concrete at about mile 7 for the rest of the race, which is also very hard on the knees and quads. My legs were screaming at mile 20 and the last six miles were painful. Fortunately, the last 6 miles are on a flat stretch, so I was able to keep running despite the pain. Nonetheless, I was not prepared for the extent of the downhill elevation profile, and my legs were really beat up by the finish. Hard to walk at all for the rest of the day. My Garmin showed an elevation gain of 780 ft, with an elevation loss of 2,450 ft.

Also, this run is at a high elevation (starts at 6250 feet), especially for those training close to sea level. I flew in the evening of June 6 and ran the race on June 8. Don’t know what impact that had. On the positive side, temps at the start were in the 40’s, rising to the 70’s at the end of the race. Humidity is low, so keep well hydrated.

Almost zero crowd support, as one would expect. Not a big deal considering how awesomely scenic the race was. Some support along the last 6 miles, but big crowd shows up at the finish line. Food at the finish was not plentiful. I ate bananas and some power aid to recover. Not much else available that I could see. Nice park to lay down in, relax, and enjoy the sun and satisfaction of having just finished the race. Medal was good, large, with the now popular spinning portion in the middle.

Overall, a good experience, but I think in the future I will be more wary of the races with a large downhill profile. Despite some of the difficulties, I was still able to PR.

Race Tips

Bring something to eat while waiting at the start. Drinks are provided but no food. Also, bring something to sit on, like a piece of cardboard. The field is loaded with burrs and is uncomfortable for sitting. Two hours is a long time to stand!

You may be tempted to start fast given the gentle downhill for the first 7 miles. Be cautious. Do some of your training an downhill course if possible. Some weight or resistance training for your legs, especially your quads, is highly recommended. Do not underestimate the difficulties of a downhill course!

With low humidity, you my be tempted to drink less. Stay well-hydrated.

Otherwise, enjoy the scenic course!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stayed at the Provo Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Hotel offers marathon discount and is only a block from the Conference Center (Expo) and the finish line. Provo is about a 40 minute ride from the SLC airport.

Provo is mostly Mormon, so not many coffee shops or bars. Many restaurants don\'t serve alcohol. Not a problem pre-race, but if you want a drink the night after the race, you may have to look around a bit. Get tips from hotel concierge. Salt Lake City is about 40 minutes away, but has a lot of good restaurants and it is much easier to get a cup of good coffee and a drink. Great place to go after the race.

Marriott is also only a couple of blocks from where the buses pick you up to go to the starting line. No parking or drop-off at the starting line. You have to take the bus.

Race is at altitude. What can I say. Not many can come 2 weeks early to adjust, so I suggest getting there only a day or two prior to the start. If you know ahead of time that you have difficulty adjusting to higher altitudes, then this may not be the race for you. However, the race is below 6500\', so it is not a big problem for most.