Marathoning in Utah isn’t one-size-fits-all. You can chase a downhill getaway through canyon walls, loop a turquoise alpine lake at a leisurely pace, or quietly hum through red-rock desert byways.
This guide cuts straight to what makes Ogden, Big Cottonwood, Utah Valley, and Bear Lake so special, with timing cues, terrain quirks, and top tips to help you on race day.
Check out my Top 50 Best Marathons in the US, or choose another state:
Ogden Marathon
Ogden | May 16, 2026
Course Type: Downhill
Elevation Gain: 398 feet (121m)
Participants: 1,332 Finishers (2024)
Price: $125-$160
The Ogden Marathon starts high in the Wasatch Mountains and winds its way down through Ogden Canyon before finishing on Historic 25th Street downtown. It’s a course that moves from alpine scenery to urban streets in one steady, scenic descent.
The numbers make it clear why it’s popular. Beginning at about 5,400 feet and ending just over 4,300, the route drops more than 1,200 feet with only a touch of climbing. That downhill profile makes it one of the faster marathons in Utah, and it regularly attracts Boston hopefuls looking for an edge.
The atmosphere is polished without being overwhelming. Aid stations are plentiful, logistics run smoothly, and the finish line delivers more than just a medal, it feels like the city shows up to celebrate. With the half marathon, relay, and shorter distances held on the same day, the event feels like a community staple that just happens to come with canyon views and a fast course.
Big Cottonwood Marathon
Salt Lake City | Sep 13, 2025
Course Type: Downhill
Elevation Gain: 221 feet (67m)
Participants: 1,469 Finishers (2024)
Price: $120-$155
Big Cottonwood doesn’t ease you in – it drops you fast. The race starts at 9,600 feet in Big Cottonwood Canyon and loses more than 4,700 feet before hitting the finish in Cottonwood Heights. The pounding on quads is real. Think gravity as both your best friend and your biggest test.
The setting is pure canyon running. September brings golden aspens, sharp granite walls, and long stretches of road carved right through the cliffs. Early miles feel quiet and tucked away, with the sound of rushing water beside the course. By the time the route levels into the valley, the crowds pick up and the atmosphere shifts from mountain solitude to big-race energy.
Weather is its own wildcard. At the top, the air can be crisp and thin, sometimes dipping into the 30s before sunrise. Down in the valley, it might be twenty degrees warmer. Layering and gear choices become part of the strategy here, and shuttle rides up the canyon in the dark are a rite of passage.
The organization is tight: frequent aid stations, strong logistics, and plenty of Boston qualifiers to prove the course lives up to its reputation. But it’s not just a PR chase, between the altitude, the steep downhill, and the striking scenery, Big Cottonwood has a unique personality all its own.
Utah Valley Marathon
Provo | Jun 6, 2026
Course Type: Downhill
Elevation Gain: 395 feet (120m)
Participants: 1,319 Finishers (2025)
Price: $109-$154
The opening miles of the Utah Valley Marathon (near Wallsburg), run along Deer Creek Reservoir, exposed and wide, with the road cutting past water and farmland. Then the canyon takes over, narrowing into long, shaded stretches where the Provo River stays just off the shoulder. Later, the course spits you out into Provo proper, trading mountainsides for sidewalks and spectators. The transitions are sharp, and that variety keeps the run from ever feeling repetitive.
Turns are almost non-existent. Once the course settles into the canyon, it’s nearly all straight shot. That means rhythm is easier to lock in, and combined with a net drop of more than 1,600 feet, the setup leans fast. Runners gunning for Boston treat this as a legitimate qualifier, but the occasional uphill segments around miles 7 and 18 keep it from being a complete gravity ride.
The season matters here more than the elevation profile. It’s early June, which can mean cool mountain air at the start but a finish that pushes into the 70s or higher. Top Tip: Smart pacing often hinges on not burning through too much energy before the heat shows up in Provo.
The event itself isn’t the biggest, roughly 1,500 full marathoners, but it folds into a weekend of races, with a half, 10K, and 5K drawing in crowds. By the time the marathoners hit Center Street, the finish area feels alive, with the Utah County Courthouse lawn turning into a festival of music, families, and recovery snacks.
Bear Lake Utah Marathon
Laketown | Jun 7, 2025
Course Type: Rolling Hills
Participants: 67 Finishers (2025)
Price: $160
This one feels more like a gathering than a marathon. Fewer than fifty people typically toe the line, which means no crowds, no long start corrals, and no jostling. You get your bib, you get your spot on the road, and you go. The vibe is stripped down but deliberate—small aid tables every couple of miles, volunteers who seem to know half the runners by name, and enough organization to keep the essentials covered without excess.
The course stays glued to the eastern edge of Bear Lake, where the road never strays far from that turquoise water the place is known for. Elevation barely shifts – between 5,926 and 6,016 feet – so “rolling” here means gentle undulations that don’t stack up into anything major. The scenery doesn’t change much, but that’s the charm: lake to the left, hills to the right, quiet pavement ahead.
Weather in early June tends to land in the comfort zone. Starts can be in the mid-40s, crisp enough for a jacket, while finishes are usually under 75°F. The high-altitude sun is strong, though, and with little shade along the shoreline, pacing can feel trickier than the flat profile suggests.
What really makes this race stand out is its role in the Bear Lake Trifecta. Three marathons in three states (Idaho, Wyoming, Utah) run on consecutive days around the same lake. Plenty of runners show up not just for one, but for all three, turning Garden City into a hub of bleary-eyed finishers and pasta-fuelled recovery dinners. For 50-state chasers, it’s a clever way to check off multiple boxes in a single long weekend.
Smaller Marathons Worth Knowing
Utah’s marathon scene isn’t just about the big-name events. There are several under-the-radar races that capture unique corners of the state—perfect for anyone craving something a bit off the beaten path.
- Top of Utah Marathon (Logan) – This race happens in mid-September and runs along the Logan River Trail, with never-flashy crowds and a course that stays impressively flat. It’s a Boston qualifier, offers 5K, 10K, half, and full distances, and draws a modest field of 500–1,000 runners.
- Escalante Canyons Marathon – A mid-October race that starts in Boulder and finishes in Escalante, tracing Scenic Byway 12 under towering sandstone cliffs. Expect shifting terrain—mostly downhill until Mile 12, a climb to Mile 18, then descent to the finish. It’s small, often fewer than 100 runners, but still USATF certified.
These races offer a more personalized, locally rooted experience, far from crowded expo halls but richly wrapped in Utah’s landscapes, whether that’s Cache Valley farmland or Grand Staircase wilderness.
Utah Marathon Calendar
Here’s a tighter look at Utah’s marathon calendar, blending well-known races with lesser-known gems:
- May – Ogden Marathon
- June (first Saturday) – Utah Valley Marathon
- June (early summer weekend) – Bear Lake Marathon, part of the three-state Trifecta
- September – Top of Utah Marathon in Logan
- September – Big Cottonwood Marathon
- October (early) – St. George Marathon
- October (mid) – Escalante Canyons Marathon
After October, marathon activity essentially pauses. Utah packs its running season into these few months: spring canyon runs, summer valley efforts, early fall canyon descents, and desert finishes in the fall.
Conclusion
Utah’s marathon scene is a mashup of fast canyons, quiet lakesides, scenic valleys, and desert cliffs—and they’re packed into a few ideal months, from spring through fall. Want speed and scenery? Ogden offers canyon drop and city finish. Looking for that gravity-assisted PR? Big Cottonwood unloads runners from almost 10,000 feet in altitude. Prefer a rhythmical, almost no-turn route? Utah Valley slices nearly 1,450 feet off your run while keeping curves to a minimum. Crave something offbeat and small? Bear Lake wraps rolling shoreline miles with minimal hoopla and allows you to tack on Idaho and Wyoming too if you’re chasing state-count style.
Add in low-key standouts like Logan’s trail-side flatness or Escalante’s desert solitude, and this isn’t just four races, it’s a whole mosaic of how varied Utah can look, run, and feel. Whether you’re pacing for a Boston qualifier, chasing personal bests, or craving fresh terrain, the state shapes its races around real landscapes, places that speak for themselves.
Row Brown is the founder of Refresh Row. He is a keen marathon runner, his favorite being the London Marathon. He’s now set himself the mission of Running the Entire Length of Spain, which is scheduled for late 2024.
