SALT LAKE CITY -- Saturday was the 12th annual Salt Lake City Marathon, and thousands came out from all across the country to participate in a variety races held downtown.
Before there were runners there were cyclists on the bike tour of the Marathon course, and then a wheelchair and hand cycle group started their event around 6:20 a.m. Saturday near the Olympic Legacy Bridge at the University of Utah.
There was also a half marathon, a 5K run and a In-Line Skate 10K in addition to the full marathon course. Kenny Coleman was among those who participated in the half marathon.
"We've done this for the last few years, and we just love to sign up for races,” he said. “My wife and two sisters-in-law are doing the bike right now.”
The marathon and half marathon start followed a little after the bike tour, with the runners getting their start at about 7 a.m. About 1,500 participants from all over the country came out to run the full 26.2-mile course.
"This is our hobby,” marathon runner Jim Lewis said. “Some people ski, some people jump out of airplanes, we just run marathons.”
Rick McGrath and Jim Lewis flew in from Illinois, and their goal is to run a marathon in every state.
"I run about 43 marathons in about 17 different states,” one said.
“And I've run 44, this will be my 32nd state,” the other added.
Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox came out for the half marathon, and he told FOX 13 News he tries to run at least one race each year.
"I'm excited,” he said. “This is a great day. It's a perfect morning, incredible crowd, and we're just ready to get running.”
And FOX 13 News’ very own Scott McKane also laced up his running shoes for the 13.1-mile course. He said he was excited to take part.
“Yeah, very much so,” he said. “I've been wanting to run this. This is the fourth half marathon that I’ve done, and I don't do them quickly--but this is a bucket list thing.”
Runners started with a nice downhill course as they headed for the Avenues, and then they traveled through Sugar House and Liberty Park and then to Holladay. It all ended with a party at the finish line at Library Square, where there was live music and beer gardens to enjoy. Organizers said participation is up 10 percent from last year.
According to the results page provided by event organizers, the overall fastest time for the full marathon was Mike Nelson at 2:33:41. The fastest half marathon time was Patrick Smyth at 1:05:35. The fastest 5K time was Nate Lloyd at 00:18:18. The fastest 10K In-Line Skate time was Justin Stelly at 00:17:13. The fastest time for Marathon Wheelers was Adrian Castro at 01:42:14.
For the full list of results, which are searchable by age range and gender, click here.
For more information about the Salt Lake City Marathon, visit their website.
