Ogden Race Review

Race Review

After waking up very early, several of us gathered around in the chilly weather to board the buses for our ride up to the start line around 4:45 am. Once arriving at the start line, we made our way over to barrel fire and kept warm for an hour waiting for the 7 a.m. start.

Shortly after 7 a.m., we were away, following the south fork of the Ogden River. The morning was beautiful and the temperature was perfect. As the course unfolded before us, the views were wonderful as we circled around Pineview Reservoir. From miles 11-15 the course is more generally uphill, with one half-mile steeper hill after mile 14. After that, it was good to hit downhill again, run over Pineview dam, and then head steeply down Ogden Canyon. It was nice running along the Ogden River as it roared down the canyon and then with the high canyon walls on either side covered with pines. The course then turned and entered the Ogden River Parkway, a beautiful paved trail that winds and rolls along the River before spilling out on a long straight city road. The finish line was now in sight with large, enthusiastic crowds on the left and right.

The aid stations along the course were frequent and well-stocked with Gu, fruit, and candy. The best aid station by far was at mile 23 which was manned (or "womaned") by our very own Liz Gotter and her husband Jason. Liz refueled us with pretzels, Fig Newtons and Coke and cheered us on to the finish.

After finishing, several of us gathered under a tree inside the finishers' area enjoying ice cream as we congratulated fellow runners as they crossed the finish line. We later congregated at the nearby Galloway tent to mingle with other runners and stretch out in the shade.

We had several of our runners PR, and even had a few finish line virgins to congratulate. Overall, it was a great race day in O town!

Congratulations to all of our 2009 Ogden Marathon, Half Marathon, and Marathon Relay finishers:

Bob Baker
Teresa Baker
Stella Blight
Jennifer Brewer
Camille Fletcher
Carol Fletcher
Christi Horstmann
Josh Horstmann
Bob Karlik
Jennifer Levy
Marilyn Thomsen
Kathy Starks
Bev Tessin
Angie Whitworth-Pace

A special thanks to Carol, Mike, and Camille Fletcher for a fabulous pre-race pasta feast on Friday night and for the post-race BBQ celebration at Jennifer and Jim Levy's on Sunday.

by Christi