big cottonwood marathon

Utah Marathons to Add to Your Bucket List

utah marathons

Wait a second! A running post? Aren’t you just about travel on the Minivan Bucket list? Yes, you’ve got that right about my love for Utah travel. But while I love discovering our beloved state in the minivan with my cute family, I am also an avid distance runner. With that said, I am always down for adding a new race and a PR to the Utah Bucket List. If running a marathon is on your bucket list, consider one of these Utah marathons.

WHY RUN RACES IN UTAH? Short answer: It is beautiful but will also make you a better runner.
I grew up running Utah’s terrain with my dad—a 2:47 marathoner. His daily run consisted of steep up and down the canyon runs and he dragged me along. It was brutal but prepared me for sea level races like Boston and Santa Barbara.

For example, at Boston I dreaded Heartbreak Hill, until I found myself at the top of it asking a guy next to me “When do we hit Heartbreak?” His response was “You just ran it.” Now, I’m not diminishing Heartbreak–it’s a tough spot on the course. But compared to the Rocky Mountains, it felt pretty small. Life in Utah is elevated: High altitude and intense steep terrain are reasons elite athletes come here to train. Don’t believe me? Shalane Flanagan often came to Park City, UT for intense training before her Olympic games.

You will improve your performance at other races by racing or training in Utah.

WHY ADD THESE SPECIFIC MARATHONS TO MY BUCKET LIST? Mostly because they are fast and beautiful courses. Next, they are close to many things to do in Utah with my loved ones. Finally, for me they are nostalgic since I a native Utahan. My goal is to accomplish what my dad did: Run a Sub 3 marathon on one of these courses. I want to have my kids witness me accomplish my running bucket list.

There are a few factors to choosing a good marathon:

  1. Location/Things to do
  2. Course
  3. Environment
  4. Logistics
  5. Boston Qualifier

3. Utah Marathons – Huntsville Marathon

  • Most Affordable
  • Ogden, Utah
  • September
  • Location: Beautiful, Scenic, Greater Ogden/Outdoors
  • Course: Beautiful, downhill, PR
  • Environment: healthy competition
  • Logistics: Inexpensive Well managed, running photos
  • BQ: Yes, about 21% qualify
  • Registration site

The Huntsville Marathon has gained popularity over the years and for a good reason. I’ve wanted to add it to the bucket list because the gradual downhill drop of 3500 feet for 26 miles is a marathoner’s dream. In addition, the fall colors and views of Pineview reservoir would be a breathtaking view for 3 hours. This course also has a PR score of 104.


This race is also fairly inexpensive with an $85 registration fee compared to the average $129 of other Utah marathons.

utah marathons

I also am drawn to Huntsville because of how small the field size is. About 350 runners take to the course each year but there is $15,000 worth of cash prizes awarded to those who participate. So, you’re likely to get something. I once won a half marathon and was rewarded a $3 pumpkin pie at a fairly large race. Do I appreciate any prize? Sure. But I do like to see race organizations try harder than a pie. Yes. To most, cash is king–Huntsville knows what’s up.

utah marathons - huntsville

MY MUST HAVE RACE DAY ITEMS FOR A DOWNHILL COURSE

I’m excited to add this race to the bucket list because there are so many things to do in the beautiful Ogden area. One of our favorite places to go as a family is paddle boarding at Pineview Reservoir because it is one of Utah’s best sandy beaches.

WHERE TO STAY: Marriott Courtyard Ogden
THINGS TO CHECK OFF THE UTAH BUCKET LIST BEFORE OR AFTER THE RACE:

  • Visit Antelope Island
  • Go to Lagoon
  • Splash at Cherry Hill Waterpark
  • Ride the tram at Snowbasin for fall leaves
  • Visit Powder Mountain
  • Hike Ogden Valley Lookout
  • Hike Wheeler Canyon
  • Hike waterfall canyon trail
  • Boat at Pineview Reservoir
  • Play in the sand, kayak, paddleboard at Anderson Cove–Pineview Reservoir
  • Cliff jump and paddleboard at Causey Reservoir
  • Golf at Wolf Creek Resort
  • Check out Halo the Lunar Observatory

WHERE TO CARBO-LOAD OR EAT AFTER THE RACE

  • Saddlebag Saloon
  • Carlos and Harley’s
  • Chris’
  • IDK BBQ
  • Eats of Eden

DESSERT

  • The Cupcake Shoppe and Bakery
  • Sapori Italian Bakery and Cafe
  • Cannery Creamery
  • Topper Bakery

2. Utah Marathons – Revel Big Cottonwood

  • Most Scenic and Rewarding
  • Salt Lake City, Utah
  • September
  • Location: Beautiful, Scenic, Close to Salt Lake/Outdoors
  • Course: Challenging, beautiful, downhill, PR (If you train right)
  • Environment: High Energy, good competition
  • Logistics: Well managed, running photos and videos
  • BQ: Yes, about 23% qualify

Runners outside of Utah often give races a bad rap because of our downhill courses. So this is my response: It’s a totally different type of racing.

I truly love the variety of topography the marathon world has to offer. However, Utah marathons have my heart because they are unique. I’ve run the course a dozen times and plenty of Utah downhill half marathons. I finally officially ran this race in 2021 and finished in 3 hours and 7 minutes.

utah marathons big cottonwood

Revel Big Cottonwood is not for the faint of heart. Despite the 5200 elevation drop, there’s something especially challenging yet invigorating about starting at 10,000 foot elevation where the oxygen is limited. Learning to pace yourself on a steep downhill is also tough and preparing for the infamous “out and back”– a 116 foot climb at mile 18 after pounding your calves and quads into the ground for hours isn’t easy. Not to mention, the course is quiet until about the last 6 miles which is a major mental game.

However, This marathon is considered one of the most scenic and fastest marathons in the US. Moreover, the breathtaking scenery, high energy crowds and downhill advantage is hard to beat. This course has a PR score of 107 and a BQ score of 23%.


Revel’s website states: “If your quads and lungs can survive, this course can be fast.”

utah marathons

MY MUST HAVE RACE DAY ITEMS FOR A DOWNHILL COURSE

WHERE TO STAY: Cottonwood Marriott

THINGS TO CHECK OFF THE UTAH BUCKET LIST BEFORE OR AFTER THE RACE:

  • Visit Temple Square
  • Walk Silver Lake
  • Walk Red Butte Gardens
  • Visit Liberty Park
  • Visit the Tracy Aviary
  • Shop at City Creek
  • Hike Donut Falls, Lake Blanche, Lake Mary Catherine
  • Camp at The Spruces Campground
  • Ride the chairlift at Solitude Mountain Resort
  • Ride the Alpine slide and Mountain Coaster at Snowbird

WHERE TO CARBO-LOAD OR EAT AFTER THE RACE

  • Porcupine Grill
  • The Pie Pizzeria
  • Lonestar Taqueria
  • The Dodo
  • Tuscany
  • The Cotton Bottom
  • The Copper Kitchen
  • Celeste Ristorante
  • The Gulch Pub

DESSERT

  • Auntie Rae’s Dessert Island
  • Leslie’s French Pastries
  • Banbury Cross Donuts
  • Gormandise
  • Dolcetti Gelato

1. The Iconic Saint George Marathon

  • Most Iconic
  • St. George, Utah
  • October
  • Location: Breathtaking, red rocks, exotic, close to lakes, National Parks, golf, bike riding, casinos (40 min. to Mesquite)
  • Course: Beautiful, hilly, downhill, PR
  • Environment: High Energy, good competition
  • Logistics: 44 years experience, running photos and videos
  • BQ: Yes, about 16% qualify
utah marathons - st george

The St. George marathon snags the #1 spot on my Utah running bucket list. Not only is it an iconic classic with a competitive field and 44 years running, but it is incredibly fast (with an overall elevation drop of 2600 feet), scenic and close to so much to do with the family. If you’re not soaking in the energy from the 7500 runners and 100,000 spectators that line the course, you’re taking in the breathtaking views of gorgeous red rocks in Snow Canyon, the volcano of Veyo and the historic charm of downtown St. George.

While you’re in town, try some of the fun & inexpensive things to do in St. George Utah!

However, training for this course must be done with the hopes of getting a negative split. If you fail to train downhill, your quads will be trashed. The first half is a gradual with a climb at Veyo while the last half is nothing but flying down a giant mountain. If you do it right, a negative split is inevitable.

It is also special to me because my dad got his 2:47 on this course and my ancestors settled Saint George. In fact, the finish line is at Vernon Worthen Park which was named after my great, great uncle. I’ve got some big shoes to fill for sure! For now, whenever my husband and I go down to St. George, we run Snow Canyon to get a feel of that last half of the race.

WHERE TO STAY:

THINGS TO CHECK OFF THE UTAH BUCKET LIST BEFORE OR AFTER THE RACE:

  • Scavenge for crystals at Glitter Mountain
  • Ride a UTV on Sand Mountain (Sand Hollow State Park)
  • Take in the scenery at Zion National Park
  • Squeeze through the St. George Narrows at Pioneer Park
  • Paddleboarding or boating at Sand Hollow or Quail Creek
  • Go off-roading to Toquerville Falls
  • Explore slot canyons and climb the ladder at Kanarra Falls

For more ideas download your free copy of The Ultimate Family-Friendly Utah Bucket List!

WHERE TO CARBO-LOAD OR EAT AFTER THE RACE

  • George’s Corner Restaurant – eating here is a family tradition every time we visit St. George
  • River Rock Roasting Company – a great little cafe in La Verkin with a balcony overlooking some cliffs and a river below
  • Pizza Factory – carbo-load with some of their famous giant bread twists
  • Cappeletti’s – good Italian food & family-friendly

DESSERT

  • Judd’s Store – old-fashioned sweet & soda shop with a vintage general store feel
  • 5 and Main
  • Swig – I know these are everywhere in Utah now, but the one on St. George Blvd is the original
  • Rowley’s Red Barn – farm-fresh foods and homemade ice cream

Happy Running and Travels!
XO

Brittany