Huntsville or Big Cottonwood Marathon

[Chelsy]

Just wondering what would be a better marathon for my first marathon? Anyone ran both of these marathons?

[Kam]

Nobody has run both these marathons, because they were both brand new last year.  I ran Huntsville, and thought it was fine.  Both start you out at 8000+ feet, and give you a long run down the hill.  Many bloggers feel that it's too much downhill, and your legs get trashed. 

I don't think the courses are appreciably different, so it might be as simple as which one is more convenient location-wise.  I would lobby for Huntsville as a safer and less traveled road if you want to do some training runs on the marathon course.

[Chelsy]

Thanks Kam, I didn't realize big cottonwood was new last year too. Were there any hills at the end of Huntsville. That's my worry is that I'll finish the downhill portion and be too dead to run any elevated portions. The Elevation chart looks like a pretty gradual downhill all the way just wondered if it is different than what it shows at all? Thanks!