{"id":4029,"date":"2026-07-24T18:09:32","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T18:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanmovershub.com\/?p=4029"},"modified":"2026-07-24T18:09:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T18:09:32","slug":"every-time-is-like-the-first-time-jonathan-kotter-returns-to-the-top-of-the-podium-at-the-deseret-news-marathon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanmovershub.com\/?p=4029","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Every time is like the first time\u2019: Jonathan Kotter returns to the top of the podium at the Deseret News Marathon"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you ask Jonathan Kotter what he did on Pioneer Day of a given year, there\u2019s a good chance he can answer precisely. He was most likely at the top of the podium at the Deseret News Marathon.<\/p>

Read more In farewell to Utah, Zaylie Paras wins Deseret News women\u2019s marathon<\/a><\/p>

The last few years have been the exception. He dealt with injuries in several consecutive years, and shortly before that a wrong turn during the race hurt his time. <\/p>

On Friday, though, the 41-year-old reclaimed his title with a time of 2:39:48 \u2014 his first win since 2022.<\/p>

\u201cFather Time is undefeated, so I feel like I just got a little lucky,\u201d Kotter told the Deseret News after the race. \u201cI did my best not to push too hard in training and came into it just about right, I think.\u201d<\/p>

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\u201cNot pushing too hard,\u201d by Kotter\u2019s definition, means running about 80 miles a week \u2014 a day or two with several short runs, and long runs every Saturday. The \u201csecret sauce,\u201d he says, is running with friends who are faster than him.<\/p>

There aren\u2019t many who can claim to be faster than an eight-time champion of one of Utah\u2019s most competitive races, but Kotter says most of his running buddies are current Olympians and fellow BYU products (Kotter ran at BYU from 2006-2010).<\/p>

Read more 118 outdoor brands say Trump went too far with Utah\u2019s monument reductions<\/a><\/p>

\u201cThey\u2019re very merciful, usually, to me, so I just run with them,\u201d he said.<\/p>

Kotter averaged 6:05 per mile Friday, never reaching a checkpoint in any place but first or second. But even after so much success in this marathon and others, the feeling of winning never gets old for Kotter. <\/p>

\u201cEvery time is like the first time,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a magical, special feeling. Coming down on the parade route, all the great spectators, and it\u2019s always like a blue ribbon crew that\u2019s running all this, so honestly, it\u2019s something you can\u2019t take for granted. It\u2019s awesome every time.\u201d<\/p>

Friday was Kotter\u2019s biggest race of this summer, though he has plans to run a couple more races in the fall. He also hopes to be able to volunteer at the Deseret News Marathon in the future.<\/p>

Rounding out the rest of the podium were 23-year-old McKay Larsen (2:42:43), who finished second, and 27-year-old Tanner Webb in third (2:50:31).<\/p>

Kotter was the oldest runner in the top 10 on the men\u2019s side of the race. His advice to others who want to achieve elite marathon results? <\/p>

Read more How to watch the Days of \u201947 Parade<\/a><\/p>

\u201cGet a lot of good people to support you,\u201d he said, \u201cand never give up.\u201d<\/p>

For complete race results, click here.<\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What is the Deseret News Marathon? Who won the Deseret News men’s marathon in 2026? 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