2025 March Madness 10K Race Recap - North Salt Lake, UT

Official Time: 54:15
Placement: 18th overall, 2nd in the 50-59 age division
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 30's, very light winds from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2024] [2023] [2022] [2021] [2020] [2018] [2017] [2016]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:17	Nice start, although a little slower than I would've liked
2	8:27	Definitely fatigued. If I can hold this pace, I'll be happy
3	8:44	This is going to get ugly....
4	8:57	Yuck
5	9:09	Even yuckier. I felt like I was running fast, but I wasn't.
6	9:01	Had a pacer help bring me in.
6.20	1:39	Just want to be done.
	Total Miles: 6.20- 54:18

Introduction

Another one of my traditions -- for several years now -- is to do the March Madness race.  At first, I was a frequent runner of the half marathon distance, but as the years have gone by, I've dialed it back to do the 10KM race.

The race supports the local foodbank and is a low-cost, simple race that harkens back to the days of going to race, running your guts out, grabbing some food and calling it a day.  The race is well organized, accurately marked and fits into just about everyone's budget -- especially if you register early.

Getting ready to race!

The Race

The race started an hour earlier this year and I made the trek up to Legacy Park in North Salt Lake and arrived at 7:15 AM.  I found easy parking, grabbed a bib, and donated some food for some extra raffle tickets. 

The weather was ideal for racing.  Chilly enough to warrant thin gloves and light arm-warmers, but definitely not anything more than that.  There wasn't much wind at all either.  

Typical stretch of bike trail

I was fatigued, however, having done the Las Vegas Half Marathon, a mere 5.5 days or so before.  While I felt like I was over the worst of the soreness, I definitely didn't feel particularly springy or fast.  Coming into the race I wanted to run fast, mostly for redemption over my failed efforts at the Vegas race, but I was also realistic that unless the running gods were truly backing me, it was going to be a long shot.

I did a warm-up of about a mile and some drills. I felt okay and my warm-up at times left me feeling a bit drained and other times I felt like I was just experiencing pre-race jitters / self-doubt.

The 10K race started at 8 AM and we were off.  The 10K race had less than 75 runners and most were shy about crowding the start. I held back as I knew I really didn't belong there, but I was off with the first 10 or so runners.  I was working with another runner who I know is definitely faster than me.  We chatted ever so briefly and I decided I was going to blow up if I hung on with her for too long.

About .4 of a mile to go

I glanced at my watch periodically and I was running at about 8:15 -- what I felt was my 10KM pace.  It did feel like I was going too fast.  I decided to go with it.

During the first 2 miles I was working with another runner that normally I can go rail-to-rail with.  I told myself, if I was holding pace with him, than I felt confident that I could hang on.

Mile 2, despite my best efforts came in at 8:30. I was definitely slowing down and I was questioning my life's choices.  My head was telling me I was running fast, but reality wasn't matching up.  Also, it was humbling to have the 5K winner (15:30 or so) blow by me well before the turn-around despite my roughly 5 minute head start.

My pacer had left me behind and I was hoping I'd eventually catch him (I never did).

As we headed north on the Legacy bike trail I kept looking for my competition.  With 10-year age groups, I knew my margins might be a little short.  

I couldn't wait until the turn around.  Maybe I'd be able to negative split, or at least hold on to my dwindling pace.  

I hit the 5K mark at about 26:26 or so.  All things considered, not too bad.  I was huffing and puffing though and every mile so my pace dip by about 15 seconds.

I got some shouts of encouragement from the other runners which spurred me on a bit but to be honest, I was toast.

There was another runner who may have been in my age group a few minutes behind me and I didn't see anyone that looked to be in my age group that had beat me to the turn around. Perhaps I could capture an age group win despite a less than stellar race.

I couldn't wait for the race to be over. I wasn't getting anywhere fast.  I was trailing another runner but more often than not, another runner would pass me.  I did encounter some 5K runners who were walking the course, but those were pretty few.  I just couldn't get anything going and I was throwing hasty looks over my shoulder: was anyone coming after me?

Finally, I was running at half marathon pace.  It was a major effort and there were times I just wanted to walk.  I was debating even on walking for a bit and doing some quarter mile repeats, just like I do in my sessions.  

Around mile 5, a friend of mine joined me.  He had just finished the 5K and was doing his cool down.  Silently he just worked with me and got me in, providing just enough incentive not to give up.  He knew I was suffering.

Finally the finish arches could be seen and it seemed to take forever to get there.  But I knew eventually I would get there.

Appropriate shirt for a March race

Conclusion

This wasn't the race I wanted.  Last year, under terrible weather conditions, I ran 53:33.  I shrugged it off because there were 30+ mph gusts of wind.  I figured this race, I'd be a lock to beat that and then some.

I finished in 54:18 -- about my slowest 10K (under normal circumstances) in a very long time.  

If I had to chalk it up to something it would be general fatigue. Just about every run I did this week I felt every single step.  I am not sure, however, I would've done anything differently.  Yeah, it was a difficult experience, but I was there to race.

In hindsight, I should've dropped to the 5K.

Finisher Medal + Age group Award -- no shirt at this race.

I wound up socializing and taking photos of runners. By the time I had finished, the weather had significantly improved and it was actually a very pleasant morning.  Gone was the cold, and now it felt like a fresh, spring day.  

There really wasn't an awards ceremony.  You got your result and if you placed in the top 3, you got a bonus medal.  Score! I came in 2nd.  Another runner in my age group finished several minutes ahead of me, so it wasn't even close.

Yeah I was not a happy camper

I wound up winning a winter hat in the raffle -- the bonus one with this, though, is that it had an LED light on it, so it would be great for early morning or late winter runs.  Just about every year I win something and they have some cool prizes.

Post race refreshments included chocolate milk, water, fruit, candies, chips and a few other snacks.  I wound up only taking a bag of chips and a few banana slices.  

Overall, I was happy with my race experience.  This race came in at under $30 (I think) and you got a professionally timed, supported race and that was accurate in nearly every aspect.  I think every time I saw a mile marker, but my watch went off and the turn around came in at 3.10 miles.  You really can't ask for anything more.

The course is flat but a little on the dull side. It is a bike trail run after all.  But it is ideal for those seeking a fast time.  I had a total ascent of 7 feet, according to my Garmin.  I do think it was a bit more than that but not much more.

Put this one on your calendar if you need a time trial and a race that gives more than it takes: free photos, nice awards, affordable price, plenty of food at the end -- just professionally done from start to finish.  Plus it supports the local food bank.  Normally they do have a half marathon in the race, but due to permitting issues, only a 5K and 10K were offered this year. Hopefully next year, the half marathon will be brought back.

Upcoming Races

03/15  2025 Lucky 13 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

04/26: 2025 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

05/10: 2025 Run Farmington 10K - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)