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Salt Lake City Marathon draws thousands of athletes from 16 countries

Posted at 8:08 AM, Apr 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-16 23:37:18-04

SALT LAKE CITY -- If you were driving around in Salt Lake City Saturday morning, you may have faced blocked roads as neon-flashing colors went racing by.

The Salt Lake City marathon started at 6 a.m. and lasted all morning and into the afternoon.

SLC Mayor Jackie Biskupski said 7,000 people participated in the many events held Saturday, including full and half marathons, the bike tour, 5 and 10K races, and even an inline skate.

“We had 43 states represented, and 16 different countries,” Biskupski said.

The race had about 15 to 20 percent more participants than last year.

Bryant Jensen won the male division. He said he ran 20 miles every Saturday to prepare for this marathon. He also won back in 2013, but it was a different course then.

“In 2013 we came south out of University of Utah, this time we went north to downtown. I think it's better this time,” Jensen said as he scooped up his young daughter after the race.

The top spot in the women's category went to a first-time winner, Natalie Como.

“I’ve been running 80 miles a week for this!” Como said.

She said the training was hard because she is an internal medicine and pediatrics resident at The University of Utah.

“It's really hard, but I just think no matter how busy you are, if you are really passionate about it and really love it, then you'll make time for it,” Como said.

The race started at The University of Utah and ended near Washington and Library Squares.

Results from the race will be available on the Salt Lake City Marathon's website. The website notes it can take up to 48 hours after the race ends for results to be posted.