2025 Vineyard Days 5K Race Race - Vineyard, UT

Around mile 2.5 of the Vineyard City 5K

Official Time: 26:02
Placement: 1st in the 50 - 59 -- 40th overall
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: mid 60's, slight breeze
Course Map / Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: First Year for me

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:08	Really good start. Exactly where I wanted to be.
2	8:46	Some rolling hills here.  Felt like I was running faster
3	8:51	What happened? Just not a lot left. Again working hard, but not seeing the time
3.05	0:26	Did my push too late
	Total Miles: 3.05- 26.21

Introduction

In signing up for this race, it was mostly about logistics and price.  Normally, I do the Utah Valley Race, but in signing up late, the price was pretty high and it involved making a drive down to Provo (about a 40 minute drive) to get my bib.

The Vineyard race just made sense.  A course I knew well, a course I'd likely earn an extra medal and at 50% of  the price of the Utah Valley one.

It would also allow me to gauge my progress. I ran the exact same course in March for their Gold Rush Days 5K.

The Race 

I arrived to Vineyard Grove Park, which is the city's headquarters for their races.  It offers ample parking and a pavilion and bathrooms.  With the city's celebration, they also sported plenty of porta potties.

I was able to grab my bib in short order and wound up doing about a mile warm-up in my almost brand spanking new Endorphin Elites 4.  I was feeling pretty good and I had a feeling I was going to run better than my 26.20 that I had run about 6 weeks ago.

The race started promptly at 8:30 and we were off down a familiar route that I've raced many times.

The first half mile or so tends to be congested as it is sidewalk running and everyone is trying to jockey into position. It isn't the worst situation but it definitely will slow you up a bit as you have to move around and take the least advantageous route.

I had surveyed my competition and saw one guy who might be in my age group (50 - 59) but it was primarily a younger crowd. I also felt that the one guy was older than me, as I have seen him before.

I was running hard, but not all out.  The race gets more challenging as it progresses.  Also, I was feeling some fatigue in my legs already -- probably from the higher mileage and workouts I had done earlier in the week.

As we headed towards beautiful Utah Lake, I spotted the first mile marker.  It was a little short according to my Garmin, but I rolled through in 8:08 after my Garmin chirped.  Solid.  Now if I could only hold it.

We finally made it to the lake path.  It is a paved path that borders Utah Lake.  There are some rolling hills here and obviously it is the showcase of the race.  Reality was starting to set in though. 

I had some solid competition here and people to work with.  My weaknesses are the hills and I'd give up my position on the climbing portions, only to retake it once it leveled out.  I knew I was redlining at this point, but I felt like my pace was faster than the 8:45.  At times, I'd glance down at my watch and see 9 minute per mile pace.  This was NOT what I wanted.

Finally, we made a left turn and had more sidewalk running to contend with.  This time, however, the crowd was thinner and I was working with a couple of women and another guy.

Once again, I was pushing hard but not seeing a drop in pace.  I felt like I was running 8:30 at the least but my pace was 8:45.  

Typical stretch of lake side bike trail

This part is also mentally taxing. There isn't much to look at.  Just your neighborhood run.  We'd have to cross a street once in a while, which was marshalled well.  In fact, this course with its many turns and opportunities to take a detour you shouldn't, was well marked and thought out.

I kept a watchful eye out for the penultimate left turn and I couldn't wait to get there.  I had run to it (about half a mile from the finish line) before the race as a warm-up.  When I made the turn, I was still working with the same group, although I was bringing up the rear.

With views like these of Utah Lake....

My goal was to try and keep up with them or pass them.  I needed something to work with.  I had a sense that if I nailed the final mile, I'd at least do significantly better than my March run.

A difficult part of this race is that the finish line is almost immediately after the final turn.  I kept trying to figure out my final kick moment.  Mentally, I had totally misjudged how much further I had to run and while it would've been simple just to look at my watch and trust my previous history on it, visually I was caught off guard.

Final turn ahead.

The final stretch is 100% flat and as I accelerated my watch beeped 3 miles.  The course always comes in a bit short (about 3.05 usually) and I had clearly waited too long.  I think I overtook one of the runners, but the other guy was well ahead of me.

As the seconds ticked along, I was crestfallen to see 26:xx on the timer.  Icky, I was really trying to get at least in the 25's.

I wound up crossing a few seconds later and with the buffer of a chip time, I managed to squeak in just  a second or two above 26 minutes.

Conclusion

So, initially I was sort of upset. I've taken a break from racing and banked some training time, and I was hoping to have a significantly better race.  Realistically, I felt 25:40 was going to happen.

Finish line photo of me.

There was some significant fatigue in my legs though and I didn't feel tapered for the race.  Still, the race was a letdown performance-wise for me.

I socialized for a bit after the race and wound up getting some photos and checked my results.  Given that most of the top talent was at the Utah Valley race and there was dearth of older runners, I placed 1st in my age group.  Score! An extra medal for my efforts.

Awards were quick and pretty much self-service.  They validated your name and handed you a medal.  I was ready to go soon after the kid's race.

Post race refreshments were pre-wrapped goodies and water (with flavor packets).  For a $30 race (including service fees) -- it was on par.  There was an optional t-shirt to purchase, which had a cool design to it, but in the past they were cotton ones and normally I don't wear those.

After the race I wound up doing about a 2.25 mile slog to get photos of the lake and miles 1 through 2.  The photos you see were taken after the race (or before).

This race is run professionally from start to finish.  Great timing, quick awards, budget price and an aid station (at about mile 2).  I can't recommend this city more if you are liking for a wallet-friendly race that is well run.

The medals were also cool and nicely designed.   My only grip is that I'd love to see an earlier start.  8:30 AM is pushing it for a summer 5K in terms of air temperature.

Upcoming Races

06/14: 2025 Lamoille Canyon Half Marathon - Lamoille, NV (Confirmed)

06/28: 2025 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K - Taylorsville, UT (Confirmed)

07/04: 2025 Sandy City 4th of July 5K - Sandy, UT (Maybe)

07/12: 2025 Farmington Days 5K / 10K - Farmington, UT (Maybe)

07/19: 2025 Mantua 5 Mile Race - Mantua, UT (Maybe)

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

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2024 Vineyard Blizzard 5K Race Recap - Vineyard, UT

Sunrise over the Wasatch Mountains in Vineyard, UT

Official Time: 25:04
Placement: 3rd in age group, 28th overall
Race Website: Here

Results: Results
Weather: 43F with no wind
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2023] [2022] [2021]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:05	Started out feeling like I was going too fast.
2	8:26	Thought my race was over at this point. Some hills here
3	8:11	Rebounded nicely.
3.06	0:21	Crushed it to the finish.
	Total Miles: 3.06 - 25:04

Introduction

On to the Thanksgiving Runs!  November marks pretty much a month full of races to complete the year of running. While this race isn't themed as a Thanksgiving run, for me, it has always sort of felt like one.

The race is put on by the local recreation department in the bedroom community of Vineyard.  The "Blizzard" tie-in seems to be that the race is in part, sponsored by the local Dairy Queen, which has a Blizzard ice cream treat.  Recipients receive a coupon good for a small sundae.

Vineyard is hidden from the freeway and after about a 3 mile drive down a road, you come to a blooming slice of suburbia.  The cool thing about the little city is that it borders Utah Lake, which has some stunning views.  

The course has changed over the past year but this one matched the one I had run for their spring Gold Rush Days 5K.  I was really hoping that I'd be able to better my time that I had run in the spring (24:17) but this year has been a battle and a frustrating one in regards to my fitness.  When I arrived at the race at 7:45 AM for the 8:30 AM start, I felt like if I could hit 25:30, it would be a good day.

Junior 1K race start

The Race

Packet pickup was a snap and I managed to get settled in.  Around 8 AM I went for about a mile jog to get loosened up and a few pre-race photos of the course.  I did some strides, used the restroom and quickly made my way to the start line in a nick of time.  I could've used another 10 minutes.

The race started promptly and on time.  I was situated fairly close to the front but enough to let the lead back have their way.  The weather was cool but not brutal.  There was very little wind and I was one of the lighter dressed ones: going out with a t-shirt, short-shorts, and thin gloves.  For some reason I took along a baseball hat as well.

Looking out after Utah Lake

For a small town race you may suspect that they don't know what they are doing.  However, you'd be totally wrong.  This race is well done from start to finish and the course was well marshalled with chalk / cone markings.  There was also a police presence at key intersections.

The course starts off by heading towards the lake, before cutting across Main Street. It is basic sidewalk running but given that the race only had 250 participants, I never felt hemmed in.  You could also opt in to run on the street.

I found myself gasping for breath almost immediately.  I knew if I kept up the initial pace I was going to crash and burn.  I wound up dialing it back a bit and got my breathing under control.

I had surveyed my "competition" at the start. The race did have some 5-year age increments but starting at the age of 40, they were 10 year ones.  I knew 2 people who were in my age group  -- and they are currently running faster than me -- and had quickly set me up for no better than 3rd today.  It all depended if I had missed anyone else.

The famous stump along the shoreline.

I was running with a few pre-teen runners.  It is interesting how seriously they take the competition.  I'd catch one of them, they'd look up at me, sprint forward to only realize they couldn't sustain it.  It happens at every race and I am sure when I was their age, I would've done the same.

Mile 1 came in at 8:05 -- a far cry from my spring-race split of 7:40.  Still I was holding on and maintaining a solid pace.  To my right was the beautiful Utah Lake and I so badly wanted to stop and admire the view and scenic morning, but I had business.  To the left, were lines of condos that resembled apartments.  We were now on a bike trail that had some turns and little hills.

Typical stretch of bike trail along Utah Lake.

At this point, I had another runner come up behind me and pass me.  I took a quick look and he appeared to be my age.  Darn!  I had to keep up.

Mile 1 to 2 was the slowest.  I was paying for the fast start and at about the halfway point I did have to contend with a short, but steep hill.  Hills are my weakness and I slowed my pace and worked my way up it. My competitor passed me by but once we reached the top, I put my foot on the pedal and worked to catch up to him.

Last half mile stretch -- turn here!

Mile 2 came in at a disappointing 8:26.  My initial instinct was that this race was going to tank -- and tank hard in the final mile.  Still, I had to try.  I did see the 2nd place runner ahead of me and I figured he had about a 30 second lead on me.  I had a shot but it wasn't looking good.

The final mile is about as flat as it could be. I had memories of running that mile when the wind was blasting me in the face -- but today there was nothing.  Like a persistent dog, I clipped at the heels of my competitor.

Final stretch of bicycle trail

Up to the corner and a short turn is the finish line.

It was also at this point I started getting some drainage in the back of my throat.  I had grabbed water from the aid station in hopes that I could clear it, but I wasn't too successful.  The sensation invoked some of my gagging and I had to slow down to avoid throwing up.

Fortunately the guy next to me started to gasp. The final half mile was taking a toll on him.  I had finally cleared whatever gunk was in my throat and stepped on the gas.  I recalled all the hard sessions I have put in during training.  I focused on form and turnover and slowly I put some distance on my age group foe.

The final turn!

I had run the last half mile of the race in my warm-ups, so I knew how much further I had to go.  I think I wound up passing one other person who suddenly began to struggle with their strong start.  I was hurting, but I was sure going to make a shot at finishing strong.

I could hear the chatter of the finish line through the line of trees. I was so close, yet so far away.  The course's mile markers were coming up short for me (about .05) and when I hit the 3 mile marker, I knew I had a bit more than just .1 to go.  

Sample boardwalk -- didn't have to run on this one.

Finally, though, I made the final turn and the finish line came into view.  I knew I could hold a strong pace after all the 30 second strides I've done and just pushed it.  I had been looking over my shoulder for the last few minutes to make sure no one was going to out sprint me but the coast was clear.

As I closed in on the finish line I saw the clock still had a 24:?? on it.  Could I break 24?  How could that be? I didn't expect to run faster than 25:30.

Pretty much all smiles post race.

Conclusion

So I didn't quite break the 25 minute barrier -- I hit 25:04.  Still a fantastic run given the times that I have been running of late.  The race did come in at 3.06 miles, however, but I did see a few runners come in at 3.09 or 3.10.  My hunch is that the course is a tiny bit short.

I grabbed my finisher's medal and said hello to my fellow runners.  I knew a lot of people at the race but I did make my way over to the timer's trailer and with some trepidation, I punched in my bib number to get my time.  I did in fact, win 3rd in my age group.

My competitor had tailed in behind me and saw that he was 15 years my junior.  I was a little embarrassed by that but at the same time he was the reason why I didn't give up on the race (and myself).

Finisher's Medal and Age Group Medal

I wound up socializing and grabbing a few pictures.  There were so many people that I knew and had to visit.  For a race well outside my county, it was almost like a homecoming of sorts.  

The award system there is pretty simple: once enough finishers have crossed the finish line, you can go up and collect your medal.  They had a podium if you wanted your photo taken.

They had fruit, packaged snacks and bottled water for post race refreshments.  There was ample food too. The course was well marshalled and marked.  The chalk markings, cones and volunteers had it dummy proof.  There was one aid station on the course.

This is a low cost race and fits well into just about any racer's budget. The shirt is optional. You did receive a finisher's medal and they offered age group awards 3 deep.  I really like their races -- they are well organized and bring back simpler days of my racing "career".  

Put this race on your list to kickoff the final month of northern Utah racing.

Upcoming Races

11/09: Sandy City Thanksgiving 5K - Sandy, UT (Confirmed)

11/16: Snow Canyon Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)

11/28: 2024 South Davis Recreation Center Thanksgiving Run 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

02/23: 2025 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

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

2022 Vineyard Blizzard 5K Race Recap - Vineyard, UT

Official Time: 24:05
Placement: 1st in age group, 16th male
Race Website: Here

Results: Results
Weather: 39F with no wind
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2021]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:51	Solid first mile.
2	7:59	Sort of ran out of gas here, but still holding a solid pace
3	7:55	Pushed as hard as I could.
3.05	0:19	Cruise to the finish
	Total Miles: 3.05 - 24:05

Introduction

How can I resist the siren's call of a $15 5K?  Yes that is what convinced me to return to the Vineyard (City) Blizzard 5K.  

I ran this race last year and it was the same bargain basement price.  You don't get a t-shirt but you get a well organized event in the bedroom community of Vineyard.

This year they added a 10K race but I was more interested in keeping the volume low and I've been focusing on the 5K race for a bit now.

The Race

I made the 30 minute drive to Vineyard in short order.  This community is nestled along the shores of Utah Lake and most people don't even know it exists.  It is a residential community and new, so they've done a pretty good job packing in the houses, yet building in hiking / running trails and making the most of the natural beauty of Utah Lake.

I quickly grabbed my bib for this smallish race -- they had about 200 people total.

I got some pictures of the 10K runners, who headed off at 8:15.  My 5K race started at 8:30.  I had a feeling that some of the 10K runners would swallow me up in the final mile or so for my race -- as humbling as that would be.

After having done a bit of a shakeout run and some dynamic stretches, I deemed myself ready to run.  Although, while I was at the starting line, I felt like I should've done a longer warm out.  It was chilly and I didn't feel quite ready.

The race is run on the streets of Vineyard and mostly on sidewalk or street.  It isn't a super exciting course, but it is flat, well marshalled and supported.  I had lined up fairly close to the start but I was quickly humbled by the sheer number of people who initially passed me.  

This race is mostly attended by locals and there were plenty of kids and young adults.  I figured I'd catch some of the younger folks who blasted out too quickly.  I was eyeballing other people that I was guessing were in my age group and trying to monitor their progress.  With a 10 year age group, I didn't want to have a medal-less day.

The first mile was right on target - 7:51.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  I was beginning to wonder though if the wheels were going to come off.  I just wasn't feeling super strong.

But every time I felt like coasting, I'd spy someone ahead that was definitely masters age level.

About midway through mile 2, the lead back of 10K runners flew by me.  Here I am running hard and they fly by me -- probably at 90 to 120 seconds faster than I am.

Mile 2 hit at 7:59.  The way I was feeling though I suspect mile 3 was going to be even slower.

I think after all the 5K racing I've done, I have a lot of mental strength and I started to do math. I had a shot at going sub 24 minutes.  I knew the course was legit and I felt like I still had a lot to give.  While I didn't feel like anyone was tacking me down, I did have runners ahead of me to work off of.  Plus another masters runner was within shouting distance.

Throughout the race I was recalling last year's race.  So I knew exactly where I was and how much further I had to run.  This was a huge confidence boost in that I wasn't worried about encountering some hill or unexpected turn of events.

I kept pushing and doing math.  Could I break 24 minutes?  I was making ground against the master's runner ahead of me and I thought I'd be able to sprint past him in the final tenth of a mile.  I don't think he realized I was behind him but he turned on the jets too and there just wasn't anything I could do.

I had given it all in the final quarter mile and I crossed the finish line in 24:05.  So close.

Conclusion

So this race measured in at 3.05 miles.  Last year I ran the same course in 3.10 miles.  I'd like to count this as a legitimate race.  And I did run about 25 seconds faster than last year.

I also won my age group.  So I came home with a medal and folding picnic type of chair.  They had plenty of post race refreshments.  Bananas, granola bars and various other snacks.  They also had a pretty nice swag bag including a coupon for a Dairy Queen (hence the Blizzard tie-in).

Overall, this race continues to be one of the best bargains of the year.  Granted, I didn't get a t-shirt but I got a well supported, officially timed race and just a beautiful morning for a run.  The race organizers definitely know what they are doing and I was very happy I went.  

I plan on signing up next year and I want to try the 10K.  It runs along Utah Lake and looks like a more scenic course.

Upcoming Races

11/12: 2022 Sandy City Turkey Trot 5K - Sandy, UT (Confirmed)

11/19: 2022 Snow Canyon Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)

11/24: 2022 South Davis Recreation Center Thanksgiving Day 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

01/14: 2023 St George Half Marathon - St George, UT (Confirmed)

02/26: 2023 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/04: 2023 March Madness 10K - West Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

04/22: 2023 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

08/19: 2023 Rock 'N Roll Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)