Counting down to the Marathon

Once again on the 24th of July, the Deseret Morning News is sponsoring one of the most challenging marathons in the country as well as a 10K race on one of the nation's fastest courses. The marathon begins at Big Mountain at the top of Emigration Canyon and winds its way to the University of Utah, where it joins the 10K course for the trip to downtown Salt Lake City along South Temple, then south along the parade route on 200 East to 700 South, 300 East to 900 South and to the finish line at Liberty Park (see maps). To register, go to www.deseretnews.com/run. Additional information about the races appears in the first column below. Look for reminders about the races and the health-fitness expo in the newspaper throughout July. In addition to the Deseret Morning News, major sponsors are Mountain America Credit Union and KJZZ-TV.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.