Salt Lake City Marathon
Salt Lake City Marathon race day weather
Cool start, steady climb ahead
Runners will face a temperature rise from 35°F at the start to 49°F by finish, with light winds of 6 mph. Humidity is moderate at 68%, so pacing should be conservative early on, especially during the mile 10 climb. The descent from miles 3 to 5 will feel invigorating, while the later descents can be utilized for faster pacing as conditions remain favorable.
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Salt Lake City Marathon route and elevation
The Salt Lake City Marathon course has about 846 ft (258 m) of climbing and 1,423 ft (434 m) of descent, a net drop of about 577 ft (176 m). It is flatter than 65% of the marathon courses racecast.io has mapped, measured by what the hills cost in time. The hardest mile is mile 10, with 125 ft (38 m) of climbing and a 2.2% average grade.
Biggest climbs
- Miles 8.9 to 9.8: climbs about 145 ft (44 m).
- Miles 11.3 to 14.9: climbs about 175 ft (54 m).
- Miles 18.5 to 20.3: climbs about 120 ft (37 m).
What the hills cost
- 3:30 on a flat course is about 3:30:40 here (40 seconds slower).
- 4:00 on a flat course is about 4:00:45 here (45 seconds slower).
- 4:30 on a flat course is about 4:30:50 here (50 seconds slower).
Hills only, priced mile by mile on the course map. The pace calculator above adds the race-day weather.
Even-effort splits for a 3:30, 4:00 or 4:30 finish
| Mile | Climb | Descent | 3:30 | 4:00 | 4:30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 75 ft | 130 ft | 7:46 | 8:53 | 10:00 |
| 2 | 68 ft | 15 ft | 8:27 | 9:39 | 10:51 |
| 3 | 0 ft | 165 ft | 7:26 | 8:30 | 9:34 |
| 4 | 1 ft | 139 ft | 7:31 | 8:35 | 9:39 |
| 5 | 0 ft | 182 ft | 7:23 | 8:27 | 9:31 |
| 6 | 65 ft | 5 ft | 8:30 | 9:43 | 10:55 |
| 7 | 30 ft | 101 ft | 7:44 | 8:49 | 9:56 |
| 8 | 85 ft | 56 ft | 8:14 | 9:25 | 10:35 |
| 9 | 20 ft | 44 ft | 7:54 | 9:02 | 10:10 |
| 10 | 125 ft | 9 ft | 8:59 | 10:16 | 11:33 |
| 11 | 47 ft | 71 ft | 7:54 | 9:02 | 10:10 |
| 12 | 57 ft | 20 ft | 8:18 | 9:29 | 10:40 |
| 13 | 54 ft | 14 ft | 8:20 | 9:31 | 10:42 |
| 14 | 22 ft | 7 ft | 8:07 | 9:16 | 10:26 |
| 15 | 71 ft | 7 ft | 8:32 | 9:45 | 10:58 |
| 16 | 1 ft | 58 ft | 7:46 | 8:53 | 10:00 |
| 17 | 10 ft | 82 ft | 7:43 | 8:50 | 9:55 |
| 18 | 1 ft | 147 ft | 7:29 | 8:33 | 9:38 |
| 19 | 36 ft | 21 ft | 8:07 | 9:16 | 10:26 |
| 20 | 76 ft | 0 ft | 8:38 | 9:53 | 11:06 |
| 21 | 17 ft | 17 ft | 8:00 | 9:08 | 10:16 |
| 22 | 3 ft | 116 ft | 7:35 | 8:40 | 9:45 |
| 23 | 22 ft | 23 ft | 7:59 | 9:07 | 10:17 |
| 24 | 0 ft | 27 ft | 7:53 | 9:01 | 10:08 |
| 25 | 8 ft | 13 ft | 7:58 | 9:07 | 10:15 |
| 26 | 14 ft | 26 ft | 7:57 | 9:04 | 10:13 |
| Last 0.2 | 9 ft | 0 ft | 1:50 | 2:06 | 2:21 |
Explore the Salt Lake City Marathon course with the weather and your pace along the route, or compare it with other races.
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About the Salt Lake City Marathon
The Salt Lake City Marathon is an annual marathon foot-race run in Salt Lake City, Millcreek and Holladay, Utah. It was first held in 2004.
The race begins at the Olympic Legacy Bridge at the University of Utah, runs through the center of Salt Lake City, and ends at Library Square. A bike tour held on the same day uses the same course, but starts earlier in the morning. A half marathon also starts with the marathon. Wikipedia
Race weekend
Tips from Runners
From race reports by runners: what worked for them, not official race information.
Expect a steady 2% incline at mile 6. A 2018 runner saw their effort climb there, so ease off on the way up and use the top as a spot to start fueling.
Look for Liberty Park about halfway through mile 25. One runner reached it in the hardest stretch and knew then that the finish was close, so save a little for the last turns.
Expect the route to leave a wooded edge of town, then drop into downtown and turn south through the valley floor. One runner described that shape, so hold back on the early downhill.
- Expect a steady 2% incline at mile 6. A 2018 runner saw their effort climb there, so ease off on the way up and use the top as a spot to start fueling.
- Look for Liberty Park about halfway through mile 25. One runner reached it in the hardest stretch and knew then that the finish was close, so save a little for the last turns.
- Expect the route to leave a wooded edge of town, then drop into downtown and turn south through the valley floor. One runner described that shape, so hold back on the early downhill.
Salt Lake City Marathon FAQ
When is the 2027 Salt Lake City Marathon?
Is the Salt Lake City Marathon a Boston Marathon Qualifier?
What is the time limit for the Salt Lake City Marathon?
What will the weather be like for the 2027 Salt Lake City Marathon?
What is the elevation gain of the Salt Lake City Marathon?
Is the Salt Lake City Marathon hilly?
What is the weather usually like for the Salt Lake City Marathon?
What was the hottest Salt Lake City Marathon?
What was the windiest Salt Lake City Marathon?
Salt Lake City Marathon reviews and race reports
Struggled with snow and sleet during first marathon experience
The weather on the race day was just absolutely awful. A cold front moved through, so the forecast was for temperatures around 40F and rain for the race day. It actually started snowing right before the start, and the weather really went downhill from there. Between being my first marathon, the weather, and the fact that I hadn't trained at the elevation, I wasn't sure what to expect for my pacing, so I found the 4:15 pacer and decided to stick with them as long as I could.
Fought through ankle pain, finished strong with a sprint at the end
The beginning of the race was awesome! I started in Corral D, with a fairly early start. This race is big, but not so big you have to wait a long time to start. I just wanted to enjoy the first two miles, so I didn’t even put headphones in.