Sport Today

I'm planning on running the St George Marathon in Southern Utah in
October and have specifically chosen this race in an attempt to qualify
for Boston. This marathon is constantly referred to as "one of the
fastest marathons in the US". This is because it is almost completely
downhill.

The problem is that the starting line is at 5280 ft above sea level.
(The finish is at 2680 ft above sea level). Even though the race is
mostly downhill, this "mile high" altitude MUST have an appreciable
effect on breathing. Can anyone share with me either their experiences
with the ability to breath at St George or with any similar high
altitude marathon? Also, do most participants arrive several days early
in order to acclimate to this height?

Thanks for any feedback you can give.

These Are My Opinions !

First of all don't get fooled with the "downhill" the entire way! I live in
St. George and and have ran the route up and down. Although the distance
does drop steadily, you don't really feel much of the downhill until around
the 19 1/2 mile mark - then is is a major downhill for the next 4 miles and
levels out to a steady decrease (by steady I mean you really don't feel a
pulling effect). Right at the start you have a nice little hill that really
fools everyone, then you steadily go up and down and then down into the town
of Veyo (abt 7 miles) then you climb the Veyo hill (volcano) which is a nice
1 1/2 miles straight up (be prepared!!) at the crest you are still steadily
climbing for another 1 1/2 miles - after that you go into several small up
and downs and level until the drop into town as mentioned earlier. My
biggest struggle is the Veyo hill -- Several people in the race have got to
that hill and stopped, saying "I thought this was a downhill race" - totally
unprepared.

The race in a sactioned qualifer for Boston - as a matter of fact Runner's
World was here helping people qualify for the 100th Boston and several did.
The altitude really has no effect. I train down here in the desert all the
time and when I start training on the course I feel no different.

You will have a good time - we have a great race here! Just remember not to
train for downhill only! Maybe I'll see you there?? Chris Weidman

1. I have had altitude problems in a 5K in Denver once, but was obviously
running much faster. It never bothered me at St. George. I think awareness
of the 5280-ft. elevation can help keep your initial pace sane. This is
especially important at St. George, for reasons other than altitude.

2. You should note that since the first 5 miles
or so will be in darkness, you can go out faster than you think. You will
need to either wear a glow-dial watch AND/OR drive the course ahead of
time to know where the miles are in relation
to the 3 or 4 dips in the course in this section. You may hear mile splits
called out but you won't be able to see much else.

3. Know also that there is a fast downhill from mile 5 to 7 into Veyo,
followed by a STIFF uphill out of Veyo (the "Volcano" hill -- you'll know
why when you see it)
with a grade that eases slowly but keeps you going up steadily for another
two miles... followed by more terrain that looks flat (and is labeled as
slightly downhill on the course profile) but actually RISES much of the
way to about mile 12. THESE ARE HARD MILES, and you really can't run them
too hard or you will not be able to take advantage of the latter half of
the race where most of the downhill action is to be found.

4. Too many words, but my point is starting slowly at St. George is a very
good idea for all of the above reasons. I think I was 2 minutes behind the
Boston cutoff at the halfway point, running carefully but getting worried.
I beat the Boston time by nearly 3 minutes in the end, because I saved
enough to rip the downhills on the second half of the course.

5. If you run under control for the first half, the altitude shouldn't be
much of a problem, nor would two or three days do much to acclimate if it
were. I would agree that it's worth arriving early to "acclimate" to the
St. George hospitality and the scenery, both out of this world.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Clint Morrison             "Controversy equalizes fools and wise men

                                    Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.    
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Jeff French
University of Wyoming

Hope to see some of you there.

Best Regards,

John Wisnieff

If you would compile the input from Chris, Doug, Clint and Jeff and  post
it to r.r.  It will be helpful to others to gain from the collective wisdom
of what was shared with you.

--
In health and on the run,
Ozzie Gontang
Maintainer - rec.running FAQ
Director, San Diego Marathon Clinic, est. 1975