LAYTON -- Under cloudy skies, 1,020 competitors, with hundreds of spectators looking on at the finish line, participated in the first-ever Layton Marathon.
But despite the large field of competitors, and 200 volunteers scurrying to help organize the first-time event, the race Saturday experienced only a few minor kinks.
One hiccup: The race began 15 minutes later than its scheduled 6 a.m. start because of the lack of restrooms at the starting gate on Antelope Island, organizers say.
One runner also mentioned the lack of mile markers along the route taking marathoners from the state park island, across the island causeway, through Syracuse and into Ellison Park in west Layton.
But outside those issues, the reviews of the race were positive.
"We're already planning on Oct. 8, 2011," said race director Joe Coles, of On-Hill Events, the race sponsor.
But Coles, in offering the Layton Marathon as an annual race, recognizes he has his work cut out for him.
"This one took 18 months (to organize)," he said of Saturday's race, which offered four race distances and an Olympic qualifying course.
But Coles couldn't have written a better script of who would finish first in the first-ever marathon.
Farmington resident Brian Tucker, a 31-year-old father of three and "one on the way," finished the 26.2-mile course with a personal best time of 3:04:32.
Tucker, who ran track for Morgan High School, said this was his third marathon. "I was doing great until mile 20," he said after the race.
Layton resident Mark Stephens placed second, finishing in 3:05:05.
Tucker and Stephens were two of 440 full marathoners who ran Saturday.
Other runners participated in the half-marathon, and 10K and 5K races.
Betsy Moore, a 34-year-old Layton mother of four, competed in the 10K run along with her 67-year-old father, Bob Openshaw, formerly of Layton.
Openshaw placed first in his age group.
"I have never done a 10K before," Moore said.
Her goal is to do the half-marathon next year.
Kaysville resident Brandon Duke, who also competed in the 10K, was complimentary of the event.
"This is nice in that it is close to home," said the 35-year-old, who posted a time just under an hour. "Which, for a fat, middle-aged guy, isn't too bad," he said.
Duke said he likes to run one race a month. "I thought it was a good event. I would run in it again."
Even with the positive reviews, city leaders are still looking to improve the event, possibly adding a course for walkers to make it even more inclusive.
"There are kinks we will have to work out, but I am very pleased as to how the event has come together," said Layton Mayor Steve Curtis.
About 50 Layton city employees volunteered time to make the race happen.
Some of them got up at 4 a.m. to ensure those participating in the marathon had transportation to the starting point on the island, officials said.
Curtis, who announced over a public address system all the runners from each race as they crossed the finish line, said he appreciated the spirit of cooperation Layton received from Syracuse city leaders, notably Mayor Jamie Nagle, in allowing the marathon route to go through their city.
For race results, visit www.milliseconds.com and go to the Layton Marathon direct link
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