This was the 2nd annual Huff to Bluff Marathon, from Blanding to Bluff,
Utah. Great marathon. It was good to be back in my hometown where I grew
up.
Everyone from the race director (Ryan Heck) to the volunteers did an
outstanding job. The marathon is a small one, (only 105 registered
runners), but a huge amount of effort has been put into it. It is a USATF
certified course and a Boston qualifier, had great aid stations, etc.
I picked up my packet the night before. All runners (not just elites)
could submit their own fluids/Gu, etc., to be given them at the aid stations at
mile 9 and 17. I put in a Gatorade and a water bottle.
Saturday morning my Dad drove me down to the start, and we visited with a
few folks before the run.
The first half is a gentle downhill course, dropping around 800 feet.
There are a few rollers, but nothing really big. I didn’t really push it
too hard, mostly ran alone, and reached the first half right around 1:30.
The second half also has a net loss of about 800 feet, but is a little
interesting, Just after mile 14, you drop off of White Mesa, and run
downhill for about a mile, loosing around 300 feet. This was a fun relaxing,
faster mile. Then after mile 15, there are a series of 4 rollers,
climbing about 200 feet until mile 18.25. I slowed down a bit up
the hills. At mile 19.25 another series of rollers start, and you gain
around 80 feet until mile 22, and then you drop down into Bluff.
About mile 22 I looked around and couldn't see anyone behind me.
Usually about this time I key off of people to pace with so I can push it a
little. No one was around so I decided to just run in at an easy pace,
have fun, and enjoy the sights dropping into the canyon, the sandstone,
including the "twins" rock formation, etc.
To me, overall the course felt similar to the Top of Utah or Ogden
marathons in elevation drop and difficulty. It was as well organized as
any marathon I've run. I didn't push it as hard as I could have, but it
was nice afterwards to be able to get out and enjoy the country...
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