On Thursday, December 19, 2019, officials from the Huntsville Marathon donated $40,000 to several Ogden Valley nonprofits. Jim and Candy Facer, Jim Truett, Richard Sorensen, and Tommy Lee passed out checks during Huntsville’s town meeting. Recipients included Snowcrest Junior High, Valley Elementary, Weber Fire, Weber County Sheriff, Huntsville Town, Ogden Valley Emergency Response Team (OVERT), and Weber Pathways.

This year the Hall of Fame Award was presented to Michelle Duran for her dedication and support of the Huntsville Marathon since its inception, as well as her furthering the sport of running. Michelle has finished every Huntsville Marathon, has run in every state, and has completed 110 marathons. A cancer survivor, several years ago Michelle and her entourage of “Ladies in Pink,” ran the marathon while Michelle was undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

Over the last eight years, Huntsville Marathon has given $470,000 back to Ogden Valley.

This hometown, Boston-qualifying marathon attracts racers from across the U.S. and from several countries around the world. Runner’s World magazine recently ranked the Huntsville Marathon #6 in the country as a marathon to qualify for Boston.

Learn more about the stunning course, the amazing athletes it attracts, and the Boston-qualifying guarantee at huntsvilleutahmarathon.com and sign up to run or to volunteer. Either way, be a part of this philanthropic and fun race!

Cool temps and clear skies led to perfect conditions for record setting times at the 8th annual Huntsville Marathon, which was held on September 21, 2019

Grayson Murphy

Ashley Paulson

In the Half Marathon, former University of Utah standout, Grayson Murphy, aka Racin’ Grayson, shattered Sylvia Bedford’s 2017 record of 1:17:17 by five minutes with an incredible time of 1:12:23, Murphy’s personal record.

Incidentally, 2017 Half Marathon winner Bedford won the 2019 St. George Full Marathon two weeks later.

In the Full Marathon, aka The Full Monte, Ashley Paulson, of St. George, crossed the finish line at 2:37:31, winning the marathon while breaking the course record of 2:44:27 previously set in 2017 by Sara Sellers.

Sellers, a former Weber State University Runner and Ogden native, made national news in 2018 when she placed second in the iconic Boston Marathon as an unknown runner who had only ran in one other marathon, The Huntsville Marathon, a few months earlier.

On the men’s side, Ben VanBeekum became the first back to back winner of the full marathon with a time of 2:25:23.  Ben has close ties to Huntsville, as his father, Ron VanBeekum, is a Huntsville native, whose childhood home is just two blocks from the finish line.

Another local Huntsville boy, Mitchell Child, who now resides in Shelley, Idaho, finished second with an impressive time of 2:45:34.

Riley Cook, of Ogden, was the back to back winner of the Half Marathon with a time of 1:08:15, improving upon his 2018 winning time of 1:10:33.

The 9th annual Huntsville Marathon will be held September 19, 2020.

Earlier this year, Runners World magazine ranked The Huntsville Marathon in the top ten (No. 6) of the best marathons nationwide to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

The Huntsville Marathon is a local non profit that has given more than $500,000 to local schools, communities and charities, thanks to more than 400 volunteers.

2019 Huntsville Marathon Results:

Full Marathon

Video of 2019 Huntsville Utah Marathon

Tiffany Lee is a Boston Marathon Qualifier during the 8th Anuual Huntsville Marathon, and wins the drawing for a trip to Boston for 2 people, including air fare and 2 nights at the Marriott Copley place. Congratulations, Tiffany!

Heidi Webb of Eden, Utah, is a Boston Marathon Qualifier during the 7th Annual Huntsville Marathon, and wins the drawing for a trip to Boston for 2 people, including air fare and 2 nights at the Marriott Copley place.  Congratulations, Heidi!

2017 Huntsville Marathon Donations: Committee Distributes $50,000 to Valley Entities & Non-Profits

On November 10, 2017, the Huntsville Marathon Committee presented donations to multiple recipients at the Huntsville Town Council meeting.

In just its fifth year, the Huntsville Marathon hosted approximately 2,000 runners on September 17. The USATF certified course began near the top of Monte Cristo, and descended some 3,800 feet with runners crossing the finish line at Huntsville Town Park.

Jim Facer said, “We put on another great race and, counting this year, we will have donated over $300,000 to local non-profits.”

This year’s organizing committee included Jim and Candis Facer, Mayor Jim Truett, Dave and Marsha Smith, Richard Sorensen, John and Melissa Lewis, Tommy Lee, and Huntsville Town Councilman Mike Engstrom.

The impetus for the race initially was to raise funds for the town. Last year the town was able to purchase a new $138,000 International dump truck and snowplow solely with proceeds from the Huntsville marathon. Incidentally, the last new vehicle the town purchased was a Ford snow plow truck in 1997, which is still in use today.

Marathon committee member Candy Facer thanked the Valley community for being wonderful volunteers. “The Marathon would not be possible without these devoted volunteers . . . over 450 of them,” Facer quipped.

It is said, “The world is hugged by the faithful arms of a volunteer.” “We know that is true when we hear from our runners what an incredible job our volunteers did. The Snowcrest cheerleaders and the Snowcrest National Junior Honor Society members were incredible, and special thanks to Valley Elementary’s 6th-grade class, which helped stuff 2,000 goodie bags,” Facer stated.

“Each runner has a story of why they are there, but our volunteers have their own stories also.” Facer continued, “This year we had a female runner who arrived at the monastery water stop more than 5 hours after start time. She was exhausted and was going to give up. Volunteer Jessica Schroeder, who was dressed in a skeleton costume and flip flops, told the runner that she would walk with the marathoner the last few miles. The two crossed the finish line at about start time +6:30, greeted by members of the marathon committee.”

Valley Elementary and Snowcrest Junior High School were awarded a total of $9,000, making the total donations to Valley schools over the past five years $49,000!

Weber Fire District received $500 in support of fallen firefighters and firefighters with cancer. Local station 65 firefighter Scott Haney ran the full marathon to raise awareness for the cause. Haney carried an extra 50 pounds as he ran in complete gear, including an oxygen tank.

Weber Sherriff’s Office also received $500 to be used for deputies and their families who are experiencing potentially terminal medical issues. Nearly 50 deputies helped with the marathon on their day off, and the majority did not accept pay. They love the valley and look forward to helping with the marathon each year.

Photo Credit: Ogden Valley News

Photo Credit: Ogden Valley News

Photo Credit: Ogden Valley News

Photo Credit: Ogden Valley News

Huntsville Marathon Donations