Ryan Raff secured victory in the inaugural Utah Marathon on Sept. 26, 2026, finishing with a time of 2:20:53 in his first full marathon debut. The race, held at the Oakley Rodeo Grounds, brought together runners for a variety of distances set against the backdrop of the Uinta Mountains.
Marathon Race Results
The marathon competition saw Raff take first place overall. According to race results from Laurel Timing, Raff completed the 26.2-mile course with a chip time of 2:20:53 and a gun time of 2:20:54. His pace for the race was recorded at 5:22 per mile.
Following Raff, Lane Stock finished in second place overall with a chip time of 3:02:33. Eldon Blake took third place overall, recording a chip time of 3:22:02. The top female finisher was Misty Poulson, who placed second overall and first in the female division with a chip time of 3:30:27.
Event Formats and Setting
The Utah Marathon was designed as a multi-distance event to cater to various levels of endurance. In addition to the full 26.2-mile marathon, the event offered the Utah Merikos, a unique 19.65-mile distance described as three-quarters of a marathon. Other scheduled race distances included the half marathon, a 10k, and a 5k.
According to information from runsignup.com and MarathonGuide, the event was held at the Oakley Rodeo Grounds in Oakley, Utah, situated at an elevation of approximately 6,500 feet. The course featured scenic trails and views of the Uinta Mountains, highlighting the rugged natural beauty of the region.
Participant Amenities and Services
The race organizers provided several amenities for participants and spectators. Per running.life, the event included live tracking provided by Laurel Timing, allowing spectators to follow runners along the course. The finish area was equipped with food, music, and seating.
Participants received several items, including a commemorative triblend tech shirt and a finisher's medal. According to running.life, HoneyStinger energy was provided on the course, and aid stations were stocked with bottled water, Gatorade, and packaged snacks. The event also offered a coat check at the start and finish lines.
Logistics and Charitable Giving
The event served both competitive and charitable purposes. Organizers indicated that donations collected during the event would be given to World Central Kitchen.
Logistical details for the race included packet pickup options. According to running.life, runners could collect their packets on the Friday before the race at the Salt Lake Running Company or on the morning of the race at the Oakley Rodeo Grounds, provided they presented a photo ID. The event organizers also noted that the race routes involved closed roads.
Race Legacy and Vision
The Utah Marathon was established as a new addition to the regional running calendar. The event was structured to be a celebration of endurance and the scenic landscape of the West.
While the marathon was the premier distance, the organizers intended for the event to become a staple for runners through its diverse distance offerings, including the specialized Merikos distance. The event utilized the Oakley Rodeo Grounds as a central hub for the start and finish of all race distances.
Awards and Recognition
The inaugural event concluded with awards for the top overall male and female competitors. According to running.life, these awards consisted of engraved plaques that were to be mailed to the winners after the race.
Race Schedule Summary
The race took place on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. The various race start times were scheduled between 7:30 AM MDT for the marathon and 9:45 AM MDT for the 5k, with all events expected to conclude by 2:00 PM MDT.
