First run in 1970, the Deseret News Marathon is the oldest road race in Utah and the 4th oldest marathon west of the continental divide. The marathon follows the path the Utah pioneers traveled when they first entered the valley. This event is truly a part of Utah’s heritage!
The Deseret News Marathon begins at the top of Big Mountain above Emigration Canyon, descending a 3,200 foot total elevation drop. The beautiful course finishes through downtown Salt Lake City along the Days of '47 Parade route where runners are greeted by over 100,000 cheering Utahns! The marathon course is USATF Certified and a Boston qualifier.
Training Plans: Beginning Runners | Experienced Runners
Register for 2025 | $90.00 |
Price starting January 9 | $100.00 |
Price starting March 21 | $110.00 |
Price starting May 20 | $120.00 |
Price starting July 2 | $125.00 |
5:30 a.m. - In accordance with the Salt Lake Police Department, the marathon course will close after six hours. After that, all runners will be directed toward the sidewalk and clean up at the finish line will begin.
Location: This is the Place Heritage Park - The Garden Place - 2601 Sunnyside Ave Salt Lake City, UT 84108.
Wednesday, July 23 from 10am to 7:30pm.
Online registration closes at 5pm on Wednesday, July 23. *Registration will still be available in person at packet pick-up on July 23. You may pick up packets for someone else if you bring a signed note or email authorizing you to do so. At packet pickup you will get your race bib with timing chip, shirt, and goodie bag.
*There is no race day packet pickup.
Marathon Buses will pick up runners from Rice-Eccles Stadium promptly from 3:45 am – 4:15 am to shuttle runners to the start line location. These buses will be lined up along the west side of the stadium. It is your responsibility to arrive early enough to park and be seated on a bus in time to ride to the top of Big Mountain. Do not plan on driving to the top. The marathon starts at 5:30 a.m. 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, 70-74, 75-79, 80-89, 90+, Wheelchair Category, 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