Ogden Marathon

INTRODUCTION: I am a racewalker with a median marathon completion time of 5:24:57. The Ogden Marathon was my sixty-eighth 26.2-miler accomplished. COURSE: It was a great day for a marathon: 46 degrees, 31 percent relative humidity, clear skies and wind of 3 mph. Starting just outside the Dancing Moose Farm about eight miles east of Huntsville, the first part of our course was a five-mile descent westward along SR39. For the first five miles we ran downhill on a winding road alongside the South Fork Ogden River. At mile five, continuing on SR39, the course straightened and flattened out. At mile 8, we departed from SR39 and traveled on country roads on Ogden Valley farmlands at the base of the northern Wasatch range in the Huntsville and Eden areas, at times staying within sight of the north end of the Pineview Reservoir. The roads were straight and flat for up to the half way mark of the marathon. Ultimately turning on SR158, we skirted westward alongside the reservoir until reaching the dam just after mile 17. The most significant uphill portion of the marathon started before and ended after the mile 14 mark. Returning to SR39, we headed down the V-shaped Ogden Canyon. This downhill portion of the course, which ended around mile 22 1/2, was clearly the most scenic portion of the race. Marked by steep precipices and pine trees, the advice to look up during this downhill part of the race was sound. We also returned alongside the Ogden River for this course segment. The canyon trek was concluded by witnessing the 200-foot Ogden Canyon Waterfall before entering Ogden City. Until reaching mile 25 we travelled on the mostly flat Ogden River Trail and Park Boulevard alongside the Ogden River. Angling our way to 18th Street, we turned south on Grant Avenue for the final 0.7 miles of the race. The finish line could be seen as far as a half mile away. Weather at the finish was 61 degrees, 14 percent relative humidity, clear skies, and south wind of 7 mph. ORGANIZATION: Nicely run event by the Goal Foundation. Good traffic and aid station support throughout. Although it was not mentioned in the race literature, most of the course ran parallel to traffic convoys. Runners stayed on the right side of the road, the convoys remained on the left. SPECTATORS: Sparse. Some spectators on the course. For those who would prefer to listen to the river alongside the road and the birds in the air, this was the marathon for you. CONCLUSION: This is a road marathon for those who prefer running in the great outdoors as opposed to the inner city. In terms of scenic beauty, this would rank high on anyone's list. Well done, Ogden.