Therese T's Staging Area

My experience was surprising in that this event has been around forever, and I assumed the organization would have everything dialed in. They did not.

* Course lacked adequate signage/volunteers. A volunteer directed 10k people the wrong way and added over half mile to the course, destroying any time or AG goals. There were no mile markers save a few for half/full.

* Looking at results, and understanding how poorly marked the course was, I can see that rightful winner/overall placewinnners were robbed … I hope the RD can figure this one out and weed out those who did not run the full course (though likely unintended). This is likely the case over all 4 distances.

* Even though both the 10K and 5K started at the same time, the way the courses were set up, we had to get around the tail end of the 5K (walkers, strollers, four-person groups walking side by side) on narrow greenbelt path, coming to an almost standstill at points

* No calories on the 10K course, which isn’t that big of deal except it’s also part of the marathon and half. I only saw water, no Gatorade or gels. Felt bad for longer distance participants.

* Finish was a MESS. All distances converging (half and full started a full 3 hours earlier)

* Same day registration really slowed down race day packet pickup. When the gun when off, I glanced back and at least 30 were still in line for bib pickup. Needs more opportunity for earlier pickup, no race day registration or a separate table for registration vs pickup.

I know a lot of people run very good times on this course, but I am not one of them. The downhill is just too aggressive — and the out and back, misery. I’ve done this race twice, and once the course flattens out, it really heats up. (Also no the out and back, the course description talks about running along a golf course, but does not mention the gravel pit.) There are so many net-downhill, beautiful canyon marathons in Utah — I think Utah Valley and Ogden are superior courses.

This race is very challenging, which is why people do it. Noon start. Mid-April so weather can be anywhere from cold, snow and ice to mid-80s depending on the year. 8ish miles up, 5 miles down with steep grades on either side. Logistics require bus back to the start (no spectator or participant parking at the finish) so it takes time to get back to your car…but the Sail Toads have done this for years and have transportation dialed in. I love the tongue-in-cheek signs and volunteers along the course… this race does not take itself seriously and either should runners.