I ran with an altered course due to the eclipse, but I think the course may have been more beautiful than the original one. Running along the edge of the … MORE
I ran with an altered course due to the eclipse, but I think the course may have been more beautiful than the original one. Running along the edge of the mesa with views of everything was just incredible, and the packed dirt trail was just lots of fun to run. Running during the eclipse was just an overall incredible experience.
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Second most beautiful race I've done
I ran with an altered course due to the eclipse, but I think the course may have been more beautiful than the original one. Running along the edge of the … MORE
I ran with an altered course due to the eclipse, but I think the course may have been more beautiful than the original one. Running along the edge of the mesa with views of everything was just incredible, and the packed dirt trail was just lots of fun to run. Running during the eclipse was just an overall incredible experience.
Breathtaking views
This was my first half marathon, ever! And it set the bar HIGH!!! The views were spectacular! We ran on the rim of Glenn Canyon that gave us beautiful views … MORE
This was my first half marathon, ever! And it set the bar HIGH!!! The views were spectacular! We ran on the rim of Glenn Canyon that gave us beautiful views and different angles of Lake Powell. The race was mostly on trail roads but it was definitely worth every mile. The views were so stunning it was hard to notice the miles go by. And to make this race even more memorable, it was at the same time as the lunar eclipse! The crowds energy and supporting spectators was great too. They made it easy and efficient to shed clothes throughout the race that I also appreciated. They proved gnarly water every 3 miles or so and they had 2 stations with snacks for us runners. The only discomfort was the restroom, portable restrooms. Since we’re running and getting sweaty, I wouldn’t appreciated a sink with running water. But all in all, this half marathon was everything I wanted it to be! Highly recommend to others.
Not your boring road run!
The course this year was changed due to the eclipse and expected crowd. Most of the run was on a rim trail that was absolutely beautiful and exciting. The first … MORE
The course this year was changed due to the eclipse and expected crowd. Most of the run was on a rim trail that was absolutely beautiful and exciting. The first mile is an easy up hill and the last mile is an easy down hill. There were easy rolling ups and downs all along the course. We have run many races with different companies and Vacation Races is the absolute best from sign up and organization to the announcers and swag. They are always thinking of ways to improve and make it special for their runners. This year they really went the extra mile and made available an eclipse medal that had a moving moon you could slide across the sun. Whoever thought that up was a genius and it is an example of how they try to make our races memorable. They also included eclipse glasses in our swag bag. One thing I absolute love are the announcers at the end who are still there and full of excitement and congratulations to the very end. Well done Vacation Races!
Why were there so few runners?
This race was switched from a part trail mostly road run to a 95% trail run. The changes were made because of circumstances beyond the organizers control. I thought the … MORE
This race was switched from a part trail mostly road run to a 95% trail run. The changes were made because of circumstances beyond the organizers control. I thought the trail run was better than the original course which I had run on another occasion. Runners who did not show up because of the course changes brought about by the eclipse missed a wonderful, scenic event.
First Time Half Marathon Experience
My best friend and I ran this race as our first time half marathon. We are both new to running, but I enjoyed the experience. The location was great. My … MORE
My best friend and I ran this race as our first time half marathon. We are both new to running, but I enjoyed the experience. The location was great. My friend won a free VR race during the morning raffle and I had a PB. Despite the race course change from road to trail, I had a good experience. Hope to run the original road course in the future.
New Course Difficult but Rewarding
Like many others, I had chosen this race for a low difficulty, beautiful views, and downhill (1500' decent) course. When it changed last minute to a trail run with 700' … MORE
Like many others, I had chosen this race for a low difficulty, beautiful views, and downhill (1500′ decent) course. When it changed last minute to a trail run with 700′ gain, I was unsure but decided to go forward even though my training did not match.
Expo was good but small. Great merch designs.
Actual race morning was perfect weather (cold at the start) with a waved start. Instantly, it did become obvious that the course was more challenging than expected based on the anticipated elevation gain and was more technical than we were told.
I ended up completing the race right at my goal pace (goal was sub-3 for trail), and felt great the whole way. Some parts were single-track so I sometimes had to walk to wait for others. There were plenty of aid stations, with many options. I had a hydration pack but had a reusable cup for plain water at the aid stations and ate oranges as needed.
Afterwards, everyone overall agreed the course was more technical than expected (saw 4 people had fallen in the last 2 miles) and Garmin showed 1200′ of Elevation gain which I overall agree with.
However, Race coordination was great, never waited long for anything in the Expo, plenty of Honey Buckets and parking. Would I race this again? Absolutely. I would come back to run the original course as I like change, but this course was challenging and beautiful.
Beautiful views and easy trail
Wow! I loved this race. This was my third one by Vacation Races and they continue to impress. Everything was well organized and people were friendly. The trail was stunning … MORE
Wow! I loved this race. This was my third one by Vacation Races and they continue to impress. Everything was well organized and people were friendly. The trail was stunning and not too difficult. I’m not fast but managed to run a personal best. It would be perfect for a first timer. The best part was finishing and watching the eclipse. Amazing experience in a unique place.
One of the prettiest races I have done
The original course was changed to a trail run, which I personally prefer. The trail was gorgeous and fun to hop around on. Overall, it was mainly flat, with a … MORE
The original course was changed to a trail run, which I personally prefer. The trail was gorgeous and fun to hop around on. Overall, it was mainly flat, with a few hills mixed in. The hardest part was the deep sand at the finish line, which slowed me down.
Too long of a trail run
Course change last minute. Went from 1 1/2 miles of trail to 11 miles of trail. Increased difficulty of run. Beautiful scenery! Trail single file at times slowed down overall … MORE
Course change last minute. Went from 1 1/2 miles of trail to 11 miles of trail. Increased difficulty of run. Beautiful scenery! Trail single file at times slowed down overall run time. Thrilled I finished! Not my favorite vacation races course
Beautiful scenery but oh-so challenging!
This was my 8th Vacation Races event and as always, they produce an excellent race! From the swag (medals and t-shirts were fun!) to the race communication (excellent race guide … MORE
This was my 8th Vacation Races event and as always, they produce an excellent race! From the swag (medals and t-shirts were fun!) to the race communication (excellent race guide to download full of EVERYTHING you need to know!) and the race itself, I would highly recommend Lake Powell, or really any Vacation Race production.
Lake Powell’s course had to be changed about a month prior to the race due to anticipated traffic around the Glen Canyon Recreation Area (where it was scheduled to finish) because of the Annular Solar Eclipse. So instead, VR shifted the course to be the rim trail that surrounded the city of Page. I am not a trail runner and so I was not looking forward to running it, as it’s definitely more technically challenging to run vs. running on pavement. But the scenery on the course was absolutely incredible. I tried to get my mind off the difficulty of the trail run by appreciating the beauty all around!
With all Vacation Races, it was a cup-free event so you have to bring your own cup (which they will give you for free) and I found the five (?) water stops along the course to be sufficient.
Page, AZ was in the path of the eclipse that morning so they gave out the special eclipse glasses during packet pick up. I carried my glasses with me, so every 10 mins or so I would take them out and look at the sun to see the moon eclipsing it. Very cool to see! And a very unique opportunity to run during the eclipse.
Finish line goodies were nice and of course, the medals are always nice.
I would highly recommend running Lake Powell. My family and I stayed in the Page area and were able to visit Antelope Canyon after the race, as well as the Grand Canyon. So many national parks to see!
Beautiful views!
This was my first Vacation Races event and it definitely did not disappoint! I was a bit hesitant to do this half marathon after I heard the course would be … MORE
This was my first Vacation Races event and it definitely did not disappoint! I was a bit hesitant to do this half marathon after I heard the course would be different than how it was originally planned. I’m glad I kept through with it, the course had stunning views all around! It was on trail for the most part and some uphills / downhills were scattered throughout that made it a bit challenging. Fantastic race though with an added bonus of viewing a solar eclipse afterwards!
Awesome first half marathon!
I had such a good experience running this half marathon. This was my first ever half & I couldn’t have asked for a better one. The course was pretty difficult … MORE
I had such a good experience running this half marathon. This was my first ever half & I couldn’t have asked for a better one. The course was pretty difficult personally I’d say; the trail was rocky and had a lot of uphills. But it didn’t stop me! The views were beautiful as well and I felt supported throughout with the aid stations and spectators. This half got me hooked. I’ll be running lots more vacation races in the future!!! Already planning my next one. Would recommend Lake Powell!
Tough course, but beautiful!
Vacation Races always puts on a great race! They love their runners. The course was tough for those (like me) unaccustomed to trail running, but it was a beautiful course! … MORE
Vacation Races always puts on a great race! They love their runners. The course was tough for those (like me) unaccustomed to trail running, but it was a beautiful course! I would run it again in a heartbeat. Finishing during the eclipse was the icing on top!
Scenic, well-organized, and low-key!
This was my very first half marathon, and I had a great experience. The route was more challenging than I expected but very scenic and rewarding. The organization was spot-on. … MORE
This was my very first half marathon, and I had a great experience. The route was more challenging than I expected but very scenic and rewarding. The organization was spot-on. I never felt stressed out or confused about what was going on. There was excellent email communication before the race about what to expect and changes before race day.
Breathtaking!
The course was mostly trail which afforded amazing views of the surrounds landscape! I ran this particular destination for the first time, but this was not my first experience with … MORE
The course was mostly trail which afforded amazing views of the surrounds landscape!
I ran this particular destination for the first time, but this was not my first experience with Vacation races. Their communication, organization, and fun destinations keep me coming back for more.
A scenic trail run
On this run, the weather was perfect! The scenery was beautiful! And the trail was challenging! Had an exceptional time there. I even got third place in my age group! MORE
On this run, the weather was perfect! The scenery was beautiful! And the trail was challenging! Had an exceptional time there.
I even got third place in my age group!
Good organization
This course is NOT the typical Lake Powell course. I've run that course before and much prefer it. I was not a big fan of the Page Rim trail. It … MORE
This course is NOT the typical Lake Powell course. I’ve run that course before and much prefer it. I was not a big fan of the Page Rim trail. It was very very hilly with some rock scrambling. It took 5 miles to reach the lake and I found the views just okay (could be in part because I had to watch my feet so often!). That said, I love Vacation Races and they played the cards they were dealt this year admirably. I will absolutely run with them again and trust them to always make an event a party for the runners! The extra eclipse swag was awesome.
OH MY GOODNESS, THE VIEW!!!
A trip to Page is like no other place on earth! It is worth the effort to get here and to spend more than a weekend. I hope to return … MORE
A trip to Page is like no other place on earth! It is worth the effort to get here and to spend more than a weekend. I hope to return and stay longer. If I have life and health I will definitely be back!
Life changing :)
Do not be intimidated by trail runs! This was my first time running a half marathon and when we were notified it would be on a trail I was very … MORE
Do not be intimidated by trail runs! This was my first time running a half marathon and when we were notified it would be on a trail I was very nervous. After finishing, I don’t think I could ever go back to road running. Trail running is such an incredible experience, being surrounded by incredible nature while accomplishing a personal goal, is an unmatched feeling!
Great race, despite course change!
The race was extremely well organized, unfortunately the original course had to be altered to accommodate sightseers for the eclipse. The new course was very scenic, narrow in some parts … MORE
The race was extremely well organized, unfortunately the original course had to be altered to accommodate sightseers for the eclipse. The new course was very scenic, narrow in some parts but well marked. Overall the organizers did a great job switching from a road course to trail course.