Thousands of runners and spectators gathered in Salt Lake City on July 24, 2026, for the Deseret News Marathon and its accompanying race series, which concluded with a celebratory finish at Liberty Park. The event, which included the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a family 1K, drew massive crowds as participants navigated various courses through the valley and Emigration Canyon.
Top Performers in the 5K
Skyler Roper dominated the 5K race on July 24, 2026, securing first place overall, in the male category, and within his division. Roper completed the 3.1-mile course with a chip time of 14:52, maintaining an average pace of 4:47 per mile. His performance was marked by a strong opening mile split of 4:38, a slight dip to 5:02 in the second mile, and a resilient rebound to 4:43 in the third mile.
Trevin Lounsbury also delivered a high-performance run in the 5K, finishing in second place overall and in the male division. Lounsbury recorded a chip time of 15:00 with an average pace of 4:50 per mile. His race was characterized by a rapid first-mile split of 4:41, followed by splits of 4:57 and 4:53.
Ben Kirby rounded out the top performers in the 5K, finishing in third place overall and in the male division with a time of 15:23. Kirby maintained a consistent pace of 4:57 per mile, starting with a 4:46 first-mile split and finishing the final mile in 5:12.
Half Marathon Results and Course
In the half marathon, Morgan Nokes secured the top position for female runners. Nokes finished the 13.1-mile course with a chip time of 1:09:55, averaging a pace of 5:20 per mile. Her performance included an aggressive start with a 5:01 first-mile split, and she maintained her lead in the female category after the second mile. Nokes finished 7th overall out of 1,374 participants.
The half marathon course featured a gradual 1,600-foot elevation drop as runners descended Emigration Canyon along the historic pioneer trail. Participants were greeted by approximately 100,000 spectators along the Days of '47 Parade route as they approached the finish line at Liberty Park.
Event Scale and 10K Details
The Deseret News Marathon event is a multi-distance series designed to attract elite talent, with the organizers working to establish the race as one of the most competitive road races in Utah. The event included a variety of specialized races, such as the 1K family fun run, which is limited to the first 500 registrants and is designed for children and families to participate before the Pioneer Day Parade.
For the 10K race, which is described as the fastest and most competitive 10K in Utah, runners followed a course with a 600-foot elevation drop. The race started at 405 Chipeta Way, just west of the Fort Douglas Cemetery, and moved through the University of Utah's Research Park before descending into downtown Salt Lake City.
Logistics and Nutrition
Logistics for the race day included coordinated transportation and security measures. For the marathon and half marathon, runners were transported from Rice-Eccles Stadium via shuttle buses starting between 3:45 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. due to road closures in Emigration Canyon. The Salt Lake Police Department assisted with traffic and intersection management to ensure runner safety.
The event also featured various aid stations providing hydration and nutrition. Marathon runners had access to aid stations every other mile starting at mile 3, with supplies including Gatorade, water, and GU. Specialized hydration, such as Redmond Re-Lyte, was provided at specific intervals, including mile 23 for the marathon. For the 5K, an aid station was located at mile 2.
Registration and Community Support
The Deseret News races offer various registration and deferral options. While refunds are not provided, participants were permitted to transfer between different race distances on race day, provided the change was made before July 23, 2026. Deferrals to the 2027 race were available through July 20, 2026, subject to specific fees depending on when the request was submitted.
To support the community, the event includes a high school team competition where teams of four score points based on their top three finishers. The organizers also actively seek volunteers to assist with aid stations and the finish line to manage the large influx of participants and spectators.
Awards and Ceremony
The 2026 Deseret News Marathon concluded with an awards ceremony at the Liberty Park finish line. Top finishers in each race and age division were recognized, with the marathon awards scheduled for 9:10 a.m. and the half marathon awards following the 5K and 10K ceremonies.
