knows that it is not the easiest course. In fact, you often hear runners along the route stress aloud the importance of holding back during the first two-thirds of the race or you’ll waste the energy you need to finish the last six miles.
Sure, this marathon is a downhill race, starting at 5,240 feet and ending at 2,680 feet, but the descent from the starting line, just outside of the small town of Enterprise, into the city of St. George includes steep and elongated climbs and steep downhill grades.
For example, at miles 7.5 to 9, the course takes the 4,500 runners up the side of an ancient volcano called Veyo. At its steepest point, the runner climbs 250 feet in less than a half of a mile. You are tempted to pour on the speed, to get this hill behind you. You know that if you walk it you’ll eat up precious time, if you are running for time. But unless you have trained well-enough, you take the hill at a slow pace, one that will not expend the strength in your legs. Many runners do walk.
The other steep grades occur as the runners descend into and climb out of five different valleys – Diamond Valley, Dammeron Valley, Snow Canyon Basin, and Winchester Hills. These are straight stretches of road in which you can clearly see the end of the road, even the climb out of the valley at the far horizon.
Running marathons, at least this one, is an amazing experience. The course is majestic and beautiful. If you like the picturesque beauty of high desert landscapes that include running by the red and white colored mountains of rock of Snow Canyon National Park, this might be a marathon you put on your list. The fan support, as well as the amount of people who volunteer at aid stations, is incredible. Since the route uses Highway 18, the inhabitants of all the small towns along the highway come out to cheer you on. My favorite thing to do is to run by the crowd and high-five all the kids that have come out to cheer. At seven, eight, nine, and even ten in the morning, I know if I were them I’d rather be in bed.
Many runners end their running season with this race; it becomes the pinnacle they must attain before the setting in of winter. This was my sixth time running this race. It was also my best. I set a personal record, crossing the finish line at 4 hours 12 minutes and 38 seconds-- 5 minutes faster than my best time I set when I was 27 years old. More impressive, however, is the difference in time from last year, an improvement of 43 minutes.
People run for different reasons. I’m always touched when I see runners wearing t-shirts or tanks explaining that they are running on behalf of a friend or loved one who has passed on. It is not uncommon to hear that these runners are running their first marathon. The passing of a loved one inspires many to tackle seemingly unconquerable challenges, not only in memory of someone, but for the chance of conquering yourself.
One year, my father, who has completed eight St. George marathons, ran on behalf of a runner who had died while training for the marathon–-she was the victim of a hit and run early one morning. She left behind a husband and children. My father read her story in the newspaper, was touched by it, and contacted the husband to let him know that he would dedicate his marathon to her and would run with her name and race number written on his.
Many runners run the marathon to simply prove something to themselves. I definitely fall into this category.
When I was 26 years old, I injured my back. I had a herniated disk in my lower back. I couldn’t stand straight. I’m 6'2" but I was shorter than my wife, who is 5'11'. I had to wait nearly two months before I could be operated on.
I can’t express how this affected my perception of myself. I felt trapped, as if the age of my body was suddenly 70 years old and would never return to that of a 26 year old.
On the second morning after my operation, I was sleepless. I turned on the television. One of the channels was covering the Deseret News Marathon in Salt Lake City. I listened to the story of the runner who was leading the pack–- something about being ill and gaining ten pounds but was determined not to have his illness affect him.
As I watched and listened, I made a goal that I would run that race. Eight months after I started running, I ran my first St. George marathon. My finishing time of approximately 4 hours and 17 minutes was my best time till last Saturday when motion and time came together and I conquered myself yet another time.
Now, onto another challenge.
