The Utah Valley Marathon is being called the “marathon of all marathons” thanks to its spectacular scenery and easy course. It’s also seeing a surge in popularity among women and first-time marathoners and has options for a half marathon and 5K race.
Utah Valley Marathon Race Director Hyrum Oaks explains why Utah Valley Marathon is a great choice for runners of all abilities.
· Many options for the race have already sold out, but the race directors have reserved a limited number of spots for Studio 5 viewers. The link to retrieve the reserved registration spots is:
§ There are 30 spots reserved in the marathon (sold-out). Access code: 26.2
§ There are 30 spots reserved in the half marathon (sold-out). Access code: studio5
· Course Ease
The Utah Valley Marathon course offers a gentle downhill nearly the entire 26.2 miles with only two gradual hills. The symmetry of elevation change (rare for Utah marathons) provides an elevation drop of 720 feet for the first 13.1 miles, and an almost identical 680 feet for the second half. The sympathetic downhill is enough to aid your speed, but not beat up your legs, and averages quicker recovery times.
· Course Scenery
Beginning in Provo Canyon and ending near downtown Provo, Utah Valley Marathon offers the most diversely scenic 26.2-mile stretch in all of Utah County. Provo Canyon’s large mountains cushion the course as it winds mildly past cascading waterfalls, the Provo River and Utah Lake to an exciting and supportive finish line.
· Course Speed
In 2010, the average finish time was 4:18:40. Utah marathoners looking for fast courses (whether to set a PR or qualify for Boston) would run nearly 5 minutes faster on the Utah Valley Marathon course than Ogden Marathon, Deseret News Marathon and Top of Utah Marathon, all considered to be among the fastest in the state.
· One-of-a-Kind Boston Qualifier Rewards Program
To each of its runners who qualify for Boston, Utah Valley Marathon presents a quality “Boston Qualifier” race shirt to proudly wear for the world to see. Even if qualifiers don’t plan to travel back east for the big race, they have the memorabilia to prove they qualified—almost as good as the Boston finisher’s medallion.
To learn more about the race visit www.runuv.com,
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