The Deseret News Half Marathon was designed with a PR in mind, featuring a gradual 1,600 foot total elevation drop. Runners will sail down Emigration Canyon along a gentle downhill course that follows the historic pioneer trail and ends along the Days of ’47 Parade route. While on the parade route, 100,000 cheering Utahns help push runners toward the finish line celebration at Liberty Park!
Training Plans: Beginning Runners | Experienced Runners
6 a.m. In accordance with the Salt Lake Police Department, the half marathon course will close after five hours. After that, all runners will be directed toward the sidewalk and clean up at the finish line will begin.
This is the Place Heritage Park; 2601 Sunnyside Ave S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 July 21 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and July 22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Online registration closes at 11:59pm on Thursday, July 21. *Late registration will be available at packet pick-up on July 21 and 22. You may pick up packets for someone else if you bring a signed note authorizing you to do so. At packet pickup you will get your race bib with timing chip, shirt and goodie bag. Park in the hotel parking lot, enter through the main entrance and proceed downstairs. *Late registrants may have to be sent a race shirt after the race. There is no race day packet pickup.
Buses will pick up runners from Rice-Eccles Stadium from 4:30 a.m. – 4:45 a.m. to transport runners to the start line location. The buses will be lined up along the west side of Rice-Eccles stadium. Do not plan on driving to the start line as Emigration Canyon will be closed! After the race there will be shuttle buses at the finish line area lined up along 700 East between 800 South and 900 South to transport runners back to their vehicles at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Due to the state holiday, the parade and the race route closures and traffic, these shuttle buses will take some time to make their rounds so plan accordingly.
There will be bags and sharpies to write your bib number on at the start line location which will be transported to the finish line for pickup. Please do not use the bag drop service for valuables as we cannot guarantee their safe keeping.
The three fastest men and women racers receive: 1st place- $1,000, 2nd place- $500 and 3rd place- $250. Only Utah residents are eligible for prize money. All finishers will receive custom finisher medals. Award medals will also be given to the top three in each age division. The age divisions are: 11 and under, 12-14, 15-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-79, 80-89, 90+, Masters Division 40+.
Deseret News has one of the strongest road race fields in the state of Utah. If you are a "local elite" and would like to be considered for a comp entry, please email desnews.elite@gmail.com
