Making the 2012 Wasatch Back Marathon Better
Posted by admin on October 12, 2011
We're excited to bring you the SECOND annual Wasatch Back Marathon & Team Relay. We asked you, and we listened, and we've made a number of changes to make the 2012 race even better.
First the facts: The 2012 Wasatch Back Marathon will be held one month earlier than last year. It will be Saturday June 30th, starting at 6:00am. We've moved the race a month earlier for several reasons. One is so that we won't compete with Utah's Toughest 10K which was on the same day last year. Another is so that it will hopefully be a little cooler.
We've also moved the start/finish area from Soldier Hollow to the town square in Midway, Utah. This change will have many advantages for runners and spectators. Among those are lots of grass and shade. An indoor place (the Town Hall) for the pre-race stuff and for awards if the weather is inclement. Great places to stand or sit and watch the finish of the race. No mosquitos! Proximity to Midway businesses.
This year the marathon and relay runners will have separate medals and awards - and probably shirts.
We will do a much better job on our aid stations. They will have plenty of water and sports drink, and energy gel of some kind. We'll have some fruit or snacks at later aid stations.
The course will be essentially the same, we've just eliminated the part that goes through Soldier Hollow. For relay teams, the legs are essentially a 10K, a half-marathon, and a 10K.
The marathon and relay is a relative bargain at $50 per runner for early registration. We will have registration live before November 1st.
Also, we're proud to donate proceeds from the race to Hope Arising, and plan to continue to support them next year.
Get ready for the 2012 Wasatch Back Marathon and relay. It is going to be really hard, and really great!
Time to Register
Posted by admin on January 7, 2011
It may be below zero at night in Midway right now, but in 200 short days it will be mid-summer and time for the inaugural Wasatch Back Marathon and Team Relay. We are so excited about it. Many of you are putting your spring/summer/fall training and racing plans together and we suggest you start that plan by registering now for the Wasatch Back Marathon and Team Relay.
Registration is now open and it is only $50 for the marathon, or $50 each for the 3-person Relay Teams. This is a great deal. You get to run through some of the most beautiful country in Utah or anywhere. Two thirds of the course is on trails or dirt roads. If you're running the marathon, this will be a tough, but manageable one you'll never forget. And if you're running the Relay, it is very doable for average/casual runners. The first leg is flat with a decent hill climb the last couple of miles. The second is 11.3 miles with about half being a gradual climb and the other half a nice gentle decline. And leg three is all on dirt - nice! Of course leg 3 is 6.1 miles of all down hill!
We're getting ready with a great runner package we think you'll love. A nice shirt, a cool finishers medal, awesome goodies at the end, and a rocking Expo and party the evening before.
The price goes up soon, so register now.
And if you have a suggestion on how to make this first annual Wasatch Back Marathon & Team Relay, the best marathon & relay in the state, then we want to hear from you. Email me, the race director at mark@realrunners.com.
The snow is deep on most of the course right now, but under all that snow the miles are marked and waiting for spring and summer. Register now and get the Wasatch Back Marathon and Team Relay on your personal race calendar.
A Great Relay Experience
Posted by admin on November 17, 2010
The Wasatch Back Marathon Team Relay is a great race for more casual runners. It is not easy, but really, who wants an easy race? This one will give you sense of accomplishment, you'll have a good time with your team, and you don't have to ride in a van for 24 hours to do it!
Leg 1 is 8.8 miles and is relatively flat until mile six, where it starts climbing. Not too tough. Leg 1 takes you through beautiful Midway, past Wasatch State Park, and part way up Snake Creek Canyon. Awesome!
Leg 2 is 11.3 miles and is all on dirt roads. How sweet it is. From the exchange point you'll wind through the aspens and pines up Snake Creek Canyon to the ridge and head south. You've got the gorgeous Heber Valley on your left side, and spectacular views of the back of Timpanogos and the rest of the Wasatch Back range on the right. You'll climb about 1800 feet in five miles, and then have a nice, gradual downhill for six miles. The climb is tough, but this is such a nice leg. I want this one!
Leg 3 is 6.1 miles and is all downhill, and except for the finish area, is all on trails or dirt roads. From the exchange point just beyond mile 20, you'll cruise through the first two miles along a trail where one moment you're in a tunnel of trees, and the next you're seeing a jaw-dropping view of Deer Creek and the Heber Valley. (Hey, keep your eyes on the trail!) Just past mile 22 you'll join Cascade Springs Road and wind down till just past mile 24 when you leave the road and join the Soldier Hollow ski trail system. You'll just sail on these nice trails through part of Soldier Hollow to the finish area.
Tough enough to challenge you. Spectacular enough to inspire you. Your relay awaits. Register now before it fills up.
Registration is Open
Posted by admin on November 17, 2010
Registration is Now Open!
As of this post there are still (or only) 254 days left until the first Wasatch Back Marathon! You can register now by clicking on the link on the home page, or by visiting www.runnercard.com and scrolling down to Road Races where you'll find us. People are registering and we're getting excited!
The Wasatch Back Marathon is very affordable compared to other marathons and relays in Utah and surrounding states. And our top priority is a great experience for you. You'll get a nice tech shirt, an awesome finishers medal, and great support at the water stops and finish area.
And we can't wait to tell you about Hope Arising and the cause we're supporting in Ethiopia.
So punch up your calendar and put down 29-30 July for an amazing running experience in Midway.
Register now.
You Are Tougher Than This Marathon
Posted by admin on October 29, 2010
This is a tough marathon. Is it too tough? Heck no! It is awesome. You can do this marathon. You should do this marathon. This marathon is calling you. And if you don't want to do the whole marathon you can get the same high by entering the Team Relay. Get two friends. One will run 8.75 miles with a couple of miles of uphill at the end. Piece of cake. The second leg is 11 miles and has a good climb and then a gradual descent. It is beautiful - even gorgeous, and its all on dirt roads. Who wouldn't want this leg? And then the third leg is just six downhill miles on trail and then dirt road. So easy.
I want to run it. Don't you?
