About the Race

From start to end the route descends and incredible 3,200 feet, most of it in the stunning first 16 miles, as you run through Emigration Canyon. Some love this; others find it exceptionally tough on the knees. The first 6 meandering miles are entirely downhill. There’s a climb after that, before another 7 or so miles of downhill ends outside the canyon near the Hogle Zoo, at Mile 15.5. You’ll have a couple out-and-back stretches as you tour through the East side [of Salt Lake City], then at Mile 18 you’ll encounter the course’s most challenging hill. It’s not the grade that makes it difficult, simply its placement: by this point in the race your legs are probably toast. You then continue through the heart of downtown Salt Lake and across South Temple, briefly running along the Pioneer Day parade route before cruising to the finish line.

All the miles are clearly marked, and there’s one official clock at the halfway point. Aid stations with portable toilets appear every other mile starting with Mile 3. Gel is usually available at Miles 7, 13 and 19. Energy drinks appear at aid stations beginning at Mile 5 and are available at every other station after that. Aid stations are will stocked, but as race temperatures soar, you might want to hydrate more often than every other mile. Consider carrying water. The course closes after six hours; a marathon vehicle will pick p anyone unable to complete the race. –From The Traveling Marathoner by Elise Allen, 2006