Always looking for new canyons to run and found this one (where else can you run in the middle of summer? Come to UT where we have a million canyon … MORE
Always looking for new canyons to run and found this one (where else can you run in the middle of summer? Come to UT where we have a million canyon races and the temp will be perfect, even cold, BUT you do need to get up at 3:30 in the morning to get on a 4A bus…). PPU was low key, tables outside of the high school. Shirt was meh (will go in the pile for throw away shirt at future race). Course starts up the Left Fork of Hobble Creek. Buses start at 4A and run till 4:45 (they say but really it was 5:15, wish I wasn’t such a freak out about missing a bus). At the top, there was mylar blankets which was good because it was surprisingly cold today. Managed to step ankle deep in running water so that was less than awesome, had to dry my sock out while I waited an hour and a half for the start. Pitch dark up top and there is no cell signal so didn’t even bother bringing my phone up. Only a few porta potties but the race was <300 people so it wasn't too bad. The bag truck literally drove by you and you could throw your bag in before crossing the start line. There are no mile markers but there was some spray paint on the street. It wasn't a particularly windy course so it wasn't like you had to watch your tangents. At about mile 6 you come off the road and onto gravel for a short section and then the paved bike path for most of the final half. Don't be fooled, while this was a canyon race and it was a net elevation loss, there were some steep climbs but they were SHORT. You can totally power up them if you know how short they are. The course is very pretty with horse farms and tons of trees throughout. The bike path was nicer than the road would have been for the last half because it went through some parks and whatnot. After that, you pop out onto some "city" (Springville is loosely defined as a city, it's pretty small), streets for the final 3ish miles. Good traffic control, sun just starting to break over the mountains so not hot yet but sunny. My Garmin and my Apple Watch both had 12.86mi so someone put something wrong somewhere…French Toast with Buttermilk Syrup (it's a UT thing that is AWESOME) at the finish line. Tons of on street and parking lot parking which was nice. Nice medal and good AG medals. Small field so chance to place even if you aren't wicked fast.
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Course measured short
Always looking for new canyons to run and found this one (where else can you run in the middle of summer? Come to UT where we have a million canyon … MORE
Always looking for new canyons to run and found this one (where else can you run in the middle of summer? Come to UT where we have a million canyon races and the temp will be perfect, even cold, BUT you do need to get up at 3:30 in the morning to get on a 4A bus…). PPU was low key, tables outside of the high school. Shirt was meh (will go in the pile for throw away shirt at future race). Course starts up the Left Fork of Hobble Creek. Buses start at 4A and run till 4:45 (they say but really it was 5:15, wish I wasn’t such a freak out about missing a bus). At the top, there was mylar blankets which was good because it was surprisingly cold today. Managed to step ankle deep in running water so that was less than awesome, had to dry my sock out while I waited an hour and a half for the start. Pitch dark up top and there is no cell signal so didn’t even bother bringing my phone up. Only a few porta potties but the race was <300 people so it wasn't too bad. The bag truck literally drove by you and you could throw your bag in before crossing the start line. There are no mile markers but there was some spray paint on the street. It wasn't a particularly windy course so it wasn't like you had to watch your tangents. At about mile 6 you come off the road and onto gravel for a short section and then the paved bike path for most of the final half. Don't be fooled, while this was a canyon race and it was a net elevation loss, there were some steep climbs but they were SHORT. You can totally power up them if you know how short they are. The course is very pretty with horse farms and tons of trees throughout. The bike path was nicer than the road would have been for the last half because it went through some parks and whatnot. After that, you pop out onto some "city" (Springville is loosely defined as a city, it's pretty small), streets for the final 3ish miles. Good traffic control, sun just starting to break over the mountains so not hot yet but sunny. My Garmin and my Apple Watch both had 12.86mi so someone put something wrong somewhere…French Toast with Buttermilk Syrup (it's a UT thing that is AWESOME) at the finish line. Tons of on street and parking lot parking which was nice. Nice medal and good AG medals. Small field so chance to place even if you aren't wicked fast.
This course is SHORT & NO SWAG
** Updated review. Shortly before the race the race org sent out an email that the medals were delayed due to 'supply chain' issues. Since the race they have not … MORE
** Updated review. Shortly before the race the race org sent out an email that the medals were delayed due to ‘supply chain’ issues. Since the race they have not responded to any runners via email or social media. I have run a ton of races and don’t care about the medal but to a first timer that medal is very meaningful. I would avoid this race and run13 in general. Very poorly run organization.
I love this race. It is an easy sloping downhill course. The scenery is beautiful! It is a small race but they do a GREAT job with volunteers and course support. The only problem is that his is not a full 13.1 miles. I ran it in 2021 and thought I had a watch glitch as it ended up short. I ran it again this year and came up .11 miles short of the 13.1 miles. I compared notes with several friends and none of our watches got to the half marathon distance. This is easily fixed by run13. Hopefully next year the course will be the full 13.1 miles.
No Finisher Medal despite promises
It is true that this is a mostly downhill half marathon, but it is not well-organized. There are buses that take runners to the start line. Be sure to get … MORE
It is true that this is a mostly downhill half marathon, but it is not well-organized. There are buses that take runners to the start line. Be sure to get on an early bus. However, there is a significant wait at the starting area until the race starts (not ideal). The race organizers are not forthcoming about planning mishaps or mistakes. Most runners would understand if they were told that the finisher medals were never shipped. However, this race kept promising to send them, promising that they were on their way, promising… Just be up front and own your mistakes!
Beautiful Scenery but Low Production
I paced this race for the 2hr runners and if I am being honest I probably wouldn't fork out the money to run this race as the production was very … MORE
I paced this race for the 2hr runners and if I am being honest I probably wouldn’t fork out the money to run this race as the production was very low quality in comparison to other Half Marathons and Marathons I have ran in the state of Utah. If I did pay to run this Half Marathon it’s probably because it’s my first one or I am a local to Springville and want to support and showcase the community to others. Since I was a pacer this doesn’t bother me too much but they did not have medals ordered and delivered in time for the finishers so no medals were awarded at the finish and instead we received an email the day before explaining this so not sure if they intend to ship medals to all participants but that’s going to a cost a pretty penny if they do. This race has great potential with its backdrop, seriously the view are spectacular down the whole canyon, but I think they need a new director or possibly some bigger sponsors to come in to help make this race what it could be.
A Pretty Race in a Warm Month
This was my third year in a row running the Hobbler Half Marathon. This race is (usually) held the first Saturday in July, and winds its way down scenic Hobble … MORE
This was my third year in a row running the Hobbler Half Marathon. This race is (usually) held the first Saturday in July, and winds its way down scenic Hobble Creek Canyon. This year’s race felt like it was warmer than past years, but maybe I’m just getting crotchety in my old age.
The first nine miles are great, going from the road to a nice paved trail that follows Hobble Creak out of the canyon. Beautiful ranches (many with impressive, ostentatious homes) line the left-hand side of the road. The trail is well maintained and just as scenic, with bridges and some rolling hills thrown in to keep things interesting.
Once you leave the canyon, the course winds through hayfields and suburban neighborhoods. Though it feels like the course flattens out at this point, my Strava record of the race shows that the gentle downhill continues pretty much all the way to the finish line. My Garmin pegged the starting line at 5,700 and the finish line at 4,670, with a total net loss of just over 1,000 feet. Total climb: 117 feet. (Your mileage may vary, void where prohibited.)
The race volunteers are friendly, the hydration tables well stocked. The finish line featured Fat Boy ice cream bars and made-to-order French toast (though no chocolate milk). Medals and shirts are both high quality and well designed. This year’s “THOU SHALT RUN” medal was almost a work of art. Overall, the Hobbler is an enjoyable, well organized race. The downhill has PR potential without jacking up your quads for the next three days. I’d highly recommend it.
Second in my age group, two years in a row! w00t!