Sun Marathon
Santa Clara, United States · January · Independent
Why people love it
- Net downhill from Veyo to Santa Clara; organiser lists about 760 m (2,500 ft)
- Red rock scenery with Gunlock Reservoir and a river
- Small field: about 185 marathon finishers in 2021
- Aid about every 3.2 km (2 mi) per a 2021 runner
Watch out for
- Inaugural-year runner saw no cones or traffic warnings; current closures unconfirmed
- Bused point-to-point start; about -1 °C (30 °F) in 2021
- Rollers and a few climbs despite the net drop
- Medal and results problems reported in 2021
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Moderate
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.5
RaceRaves shows 4 out of 5 from 3 ratings; RaceEntry shows 3.4 from 9, with one negative 2018 review. Scenery and volunteers praised. · Low confidence
- OrganizationAdequate3.4
RaceRaves rates production well; aid came every 2 mi (3.2 km). A 2021 results error was fixed late. A 2018 runner saw no signs. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable3.0
Fast downhill, but a bused point-to-point start, cold January start and some climbs. Small field. Cutoff not found. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast4.2
Net decline about 760 m (2,500 ft) with rollers. 2020 finisher called it fast. Not an all-downhill course. · Low confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryBeautiful4.1
Red rock mountains, Gunlock Reservoir and a river. RaceRaves scenery averages 3.7 out of 5 and one half runner scored it 5. · Low confidence
- Room to runSome pinch points3.2
Small field on a rural road, little congestion; but narrow road with traffic risk. · Low confidence
- Road surfaceGood3.5
Paved road per RunSignup. Rural Gunlock Road; no complaints about surface. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.6
A 2018 runner saw no cones, signs or patrols against traffic. Current road setup not confirmed. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessHilly2.2
Net decline about 760 m (2,500 ft), the reverse of flat; rollers and some climbs remain. · Low confidence
- Net downhillDownhill4.4
Organiser lists a net decline of about 760 m (2,500 ft) with rollers. Boston qualifier course with a listed course code. · Low confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSome waiting2.8
Full and half are bused out from Veyo, starting around 30 °F (-1 °C) in January per a 2021 runner. · Low confidence
- Pacers and timingSome pace groups2.6
No pace group information found. Timing worked but a 2021 results category error was fixed late. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportSparse2.0
Rural road and a small field. A 2021 runner reported no spectators. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.8
A 2021 runner reported aid every 2 mi (3.2 km). Volunteers praised by two RaceRaves reviewers. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindSome wind3.3
No wind complaints found. Canyon terrain gives some shelter. · Low confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant3.7
Recent 23 January highs run 7 to 13 °C (45 to 55 °F). A 2021 runner described a -1 °C (30 °F) start. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.3
Southern Utah winter: mostly dry but cold snaps vary, 23 January highs 7 to 13 °C (45 to 55 °F) over 2022 to 2026. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyTricky2.2
Point-to-point on a rural road with few spectator points. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeModerate2.9
Start in Veyo at roughly 1,370 m (4,490 ft), dropping to about 880 m (2,900 ft) at the Santa Clara finish. · Low confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.8
St. George area has many hotels about 15 to 25 km (9 to 16 mi) away. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.8
St. George is moderately priced in January. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityMostly driving2.0
Bused start from Veyo; finish in Santa Clara. Need a car or shuttle. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.0
St. George (SGU) about 20 km (12 mi) away; Las Vegas about 190 km (118 mi). · Low confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.0
Bused-out start for full and half; finish near Santa Clara. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood3.6
St. George and Santa Clara have restaurants and red-rock outings. · Low confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inOpen entry4.5
Open entry via RunSignup; small field of about 185 full finishers in 2021. · Low confidence
- Value for moneyFair3.0
Reviewers rate swag 2.7 out of 5 and a 2021 medal lacked date and location. Fee not found. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Santa Clara, Washington County, United States
- Typical month
- January
- Latest or next date
- 23 January 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 185 athletes
- First held
- 2018
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- point-to-point
- Start time
- 07:00
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Paved Gunlock Road
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Rarely
- Air temperature
- -1–12 °C (30–54 °F)
- Humidity
- Dry desert
- Altitude
- 880 m (2,890 ft)
- Nearest airport
- St. George Regional (SGU), 20 km (12 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Santa Clara, St. George
- Booking
- Stay in St. George or Santa Clara; many hotels.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRaves Sun MarathonRaced 2021 · aggregator · Positive
4 out of 5 from 3 ratings. Reviewers liked red rock views, mostly downhill course, small field and aid every 2 mi (3.2 km). Weak points were medals, a results mix-up and a cold start near -1 °C (30 °F).
“red rock views at each bend”
- RaceEntry Sun Marathon reviewsRaced 2018 · aggregator · Negative
3.4 out of 5 from 9 ratings; only the inaugural-year review is readable. That runner enjoyed the first part of the course but saw no cones, no warning signs and no patrols.
“no cones to block the runners from traffic”
Raced Sun Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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