How do I register for Top of Utah Marathon?

Registration is open to anyone with no lottery required. Early bird pricing runs through April 30, general pricing from May 1 through August 31, and late pricing from September 1 through race day. Race-day registration is available from 6:00 to 7:00am on September 19.

Is Top of Utah Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston registration. The field skews competitive, so it's a legitimate shot at a BQ if you're in shape for one.

What is the time limit?

The time limit is approximately 6 hours and 20 minutes, giving a range of finishing paces access to the full course.

What is the course like?

Top of Utah is an out-and-back on Cache Valley roads with zero net elevation change. The course is flat overall, meaning the second half mirrors the first exactly, so there's no net downhill advantage to bank on.

How big is the field?

The field is small, with recent finisher counts in the low hundreds. That means a quieter, more personal race day with less crowd noise late in the course.

What should I expect from race-day weather?

September mornings in Logan can be cold, often in the low 40s at the start, but temperatures climb through the race and can reach the mid-70s by late morning. Dress in layers you can shed and plan to hydrate early even if the cool start makes it feel unnecessary.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the Top of Utah Marathon course holds USATF certification, which is required for Boston qualifying times to be accepted.

Sat, Sep 19 · 2026Logan, UTSince 1998

Top of Utah Marathon

Top of Utah runs through Cache Valley on a USATF-certified out-and-back course, with a wide temperature swing from a cool early-morning start to a warm afternoon finish. It's a genuine Boston qualifier with open registration and a small, focused field.

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TOP OF UTAH · US

Top of Utah

SAT, SEP 19

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 1998

Top of Utah is a small, no-fuss marathon in Cache Valley, and that's genuinely part of the appeal. You start in downtown Logan, which means no predawn bus to a remote start. Parking is close, race-day registration is available right up to the gun, and the field is compact enough that you'll know your neighbors by mile two. The course goes out on valley roads and comes straight back, flat net elevation, so what you run on the way out you run again on the way home. Don't bank time in the first half expecting the return to be easier. It won't be.

The big thing to plan around is the temperature. The morning start can be genuinely cold, so bring a throwaway layer for the corral. By the time you're in the back half the sun is up and it warms fast. Hydrate from mile one even if it doesn't feel necessary yet. It's a certified Boston qualifier, and while the course isn't a net downhill screamer, the flat profile and September conditions give you a real shot if you're fit. Entry is open registration with no lottery, so getting a bib is the easy part.

Field size

~149

149 finishers

BQ rate

7%

Near national average

Time limit

6:20

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:31:04

James Wenzel

2025

Women

2:52:02

Ramona Sanchez

2025

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

—

Lowest point

—

Course shape

Out and back

Same route, both directions

Top of Utah is an out-and-back on Cache Valley roads, USATF certified, with zero net elevation change across the full 26.2. That flat net figure means whatever you gain on the first half you give back on the return, so the course is not a one-way downhill. Pace the first half conservatively, because the second half mirrors it exactly. The small field means less drafting opportunity and thinner crowd support late in the race. A wide race-day temperature range is the bigger variable: early miles can be cold, and if you run deep into the morning the heat builds. Dress in layers you can shed and hydrate from the start.

View official course map Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

42°F

High

76°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

September in Cache Valley means a cold start and a warm finish, and the gap between them is bigger than you'd expect. You'll want a throwaway layer at the gun. By the back half of the race the sun is well up and it can feel genuinely warm. That swing is the main thing to plan around. Bring layers you can shed early, and start hydrating before it feels like you need to.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration with early bird pricing through August 31, general pricing May 1-August 31, and late pricing September 1-19. Race day registration available 6:00-7:00am on September 19.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

SLC

66 mi

from the start

≈ 104 min transferManageable drive

What to expect

Logan Regional Airport (about 45 minutes away) serves the area. The downtown Logan start/finish allows convenient parking near the course without requiring early bus transportation. Base yourself in downtown Logan or nearby Cache Valley.

Frequently Asked

7 questions

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