Gare di Marathon vicino a Ivins

La St. George Marathon parte dalle Pine Valley Mountains, scendendo di quasi 2,600 feet fino a St. George, Utah. I partecipanti passano da una mattinata fresca in montagna a un arrivo più caldo in città. La gara si corre il primo sabato di ottobre, organizzata dalla città di St. George. Ci sono una marathon completa, una half marathon e una 5K. La marathon è limitata a 5,500 partecipanti ed è certificata da USA Track and Field, e ti fa anche qualificare per la Boston Marathon. Il percorso parte da 5,240 feet, attraversando un terreno di arenaria e basalto vicino a Snow Canyon State Park, per poi finire a Vernon Worthen Park, che si trova a 2,680 feet. La sua natura in discesa attira i runner che puntano a tempi veloci, ma il percorso richiede un passo strategico e ha un cutoff point a Snow Canyon Parkway e Utah State Route 18. La prima gara è stata organizzata in poco tempo da Sherm Miller, un impiegato dei parchi e della ricreazione di St. George, con l'aiuto di Bob Horlacher. La prima edizione ha avuto 57 runner e un concorrente in sedia a rotelle, con 38 partenti che hanno completato la gara.

The St. George Marathon begins in the Pine Valley Mountains and descends toward the red rock country near St. George, Utah. This October road marathon features a fast, downhill course and qualifies runners for the Boston Marathon. The race is part of a larger event weekend that includes a half marathon, 5K, fun run, Mayor's Walk, virtual races, and charity entries. Runners are drawn to the point-to-point course as much as the finish line. The route transitions from cooler mountain terrain into the desert canyons above town. The official expo takes place at the Dixie Convention Center the day before the race, offering packet pickup and a help desk for registration issues. Greater Zion presents the event, which relies significantly on local organization and community support, distinguishing it from a basic marathon.

The Sun Marathon is a winter road race in Southern Utah, based in the St. George and Santa Clara area. It offers runners four in-person distances: marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K, with a virtual option available. The race centers on a straightforward concept: exchanging cold-weather training miles for a desert run among red rock mountains. The courses are largely downhill, but they feature rollers and some climbs rather than continuous drops. Marathoners pass Gunlock Reservoir, and both the full and half marathon routes follow a river for a portion. The full marathon begins in Santa Clara and includes an early start option for participants anticipating a finish time exceeding seven hours.