MARATHONING IN THE MOUNTAINS

Running the Ogden Marathon with GOAL

A lil’ about my Ogden Marathon experience

OP-ED

Kari Harbath and late husband Aaron Loftus running the Ogden Marathon. Image provided

Whether you run, jog, walk, run, or roll—the Ogden Marathon is meant for you. And I really mean that. 

I’ve been running the Ogden Marathon since 2012. My mom Kim Harbath signed our entire family up for the 5K to “get out and live” in true GOAL fashion. GOAL (Get Out And Live Foundation), is an Ogden-based nonprofit that produces the Ogden Marathon each year.

We trained, showed up and showed out wearing our matching race shirts that morning, and finished with breakfast at Denny’s on 12th Street. Nothing fancy, but it made for the best first race memory.

In the years to come, the good (and wild!) memories only stacked up. Memories of running in severe icy rain storms, memories of finishing my fastest half-marathon ever as everyone cheered me on, memories of running alone, running with friends (old and new!), or running with my late husband Aaron Loftus as we coached each other through each mile. I cherish all of these memories now: especially after my life so drastically changed over the last few years. With my husband and mom now gone, I won’t have the chance to make physical memories with them ever again. And yet, when I run, I find it gives me time and space to reflect on my love for them, the life I’ve created with my daughter Sloan, and think ahead on what the future has in store for us.

Kari Harbath (left) with her mom (center) Kim Harbath and sister Kassie Harbath. Image provided

WHAT IT FEELS LIKE

I’ve run the 5K and half-marathon—the half being my favorite route. You take off in the Ogden Valley town of Eden, run around Pineview Reservoir just as the sun is coming up, and feel the mountain breeze. As you round the corner from Pineview into Ogden Canyon, you and the other runners get the entire canyon to yourself: a rare opportunity. Nature church at its finest.

The start of every Ogden Marathon race feels hyped and exciting! The run itself is beautiful, inspiring, and sometimes really exhausting—but you pull through and it makes for a great story. Then, the end of the race is a major accomplishment as you’re surrounded by friends, community, and all of the good stuff 25th Street has to offer.

The Ogden Marathon will always be my home race—just like Ogden will always be my home. So I felt extremely honored this year to be picked as an Ogden (Half!) Marathon ambassador: hyping up the run, the runners, and the big day itself! It’s a joy to be included in a rad list of people: You can check out the full list here. 

HOW I’LL BE TRAINING

We only have a couple months until the big day itself, and trust me, it will be here before we know it! I love to run while remembering and honoring my mom and late husband Aaron, but I especially love training with my daughter Sloan. We’re creating a lot of new memories together.

My daughter Sloan has CHARGE syndrome, is profoundly DeafBlind, and truly the baddest badass toddler I know. She doesn’t take shit from anyone, but she loves to give shit like there’s no tomorrow. It’s my favorite quality about her. 

With that said, Sloan is currently a wheelchair user—and she, like her dad Aaron, is a big sensory seeker and LOVES wild vibes. She loves the vibes of fast, intense movement, so race training is perfect for her.

Kari Harbath and her daughter Sloan at the Ogden Marathon finish line. Image provided

As spring approaches and the weather gets a bit warmer, every day after preschool we’ll head out on the trail to train for the race. I put her in the jogging stroller as she’ll reach for the straps to get settled in. Just as she’s settled, she’ll smile and start wiggling her legs as hard as she can to let me know she’s ready to take off. And if I need to take a break, slow down, or stop at all on the run, she’ll start wiggling those legs of hers to remind me I’m not allowed to take breaks when she’s training with me! No rest for the wicked, dude. 

Training with Sloan is my absolute favorite thing: simply Kari and Sloan time. And, based on her body language, it’s one of Sloan’s favorite things too.

JOIN THE MARATHON PARTY!

So, if you can’t tell from everything I’ve shared: running the Ogden Marathon is about so much more than simply running for me. It’s the memories, the community, the training, and the quality time spent with my daughter.

And, in the end, it’s that feeling of having done something for me and my mental health—ensuring I can be a healthy mother, daughter, caregiver, and friend.

You should join me and so many others at the Ogden Marathon this year! The full marathon is sold out—but there are still spots at the other races. It’s happening Saturday, May 20. 

Click here to check out the Ogden Marathon website and get registered. 

Also, while you’re at it, use one of these discount codes for $5 off of your registration fee:

5K/12K: SLOANSCRUNCHIES5K12K

Half/Relay: SLOANSCRUNCHIES

Hope to see you there!

—Kari