Running News Daily

St. George Marathon returns for its 45th edition with big plans after one-year COVID-19 hiatus

The St. George Marathon makes its return Saturday for its 45th edition and the first since 2019 after the 2020 race was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The race is set to start in its usual spot north of the city along State Route 18 at the base of the Pine Valley Mountains and descending nearly 2,600 feet in elevation back to the finish line downtown.

The race starts at 7 a.m. and will force some road closures and detours along SR-18 and a number of streets in and around downtown.

“We are so excited to have the marathon back in 2021. It is St. George’s signature event,” said Michelle Graves, race director and the Deputy Director of Arts and Events for the City of St. George. “This might be the best St. George Marathon ever. There has been a vibrant return to racing and we are happy to have a strong field of runners for this year's event.”

This year's event will include a mini-marathon starting at 6:15 a.m, with races of 1 mile and 200 meters at Vernon Worthen Park. Children ages 3 to 12 and people with special needs are invited to participate.

“We are so excited to have the marathon back in 2021. It is St. George’s signature event,” said Michelle Graves, race director and the Deputy Director of Arts and Events for the City of St. George. “This might be the best St. George Marathon ever. There has been a vibrant return to racing and we are happy to have a strong field of runners for this year's event.”

This year's event will include a mini-marathon starting at 6:15 a.m, with races of 1 mile and 200 meters at Vernon Worthen Park. Children ages 3 to 12 and people with special needs are invited to participate.

(09/27/2021) Views: 1,206 ⚡AMP

St. George Marathon cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus

Citing concerns related to the potential spread of COVID-19 and the challenge of providing adequate health and safety protections for race participants and volunteers, the city has canceled the 2020 St. George Marathon, which was originally scheduled for Oct. 3.

“This was a difficult decision for us to make. We have enjoyed 43 consecutive years of this race, which has become one of the crown jewels of the marathon circuit,” Michelle Graves, race director for the St. George Marathon, said in a press release.

“However, the health and safety of our runners, volunteers, staff members and residents outweighed the potential benefits of moving forward with this year’s race.”

As the St. George Marathon advertised at the outset of the registration period in April, each registered participant has the option for a full refund or deferral to the 2021 St. George Marathon.

All registered participants have been contacted via email conveying their options. The next St. George Marathon is set for Oct. 2, 2021.

“We really tried to make this work out. We are sad that we won’t have a race this year, but we are beyond excited for the 2021 version of the St. George Marathon,” race operations director Nikelle Pledger said.

“We look forward to our great runners, effervescent volunteers and feeling of accomplishment that comes with the St. George Marathon.”

(08/12/2020) Views: 1,378 ⚡AMP

Jonathan Kotter for the second year in a row won the St. George Marathon

The 43rd edition of the St. George Marathon saw a windy morning with fast breezes and even faster times.

Thousands made their way down from Central Junction and through Veyo all the way down to Vernon Worthen Park in St. George to test themselves against the elements and themselves.

Jonathan Kotter won the men's side of the marathon for the second year in a row, finishing with a time of 2:18:06, while three-time St. George Marathon winner Aaron Metler finished second in 2:19:45.

"The weather overall was great because it was very cool which is perfect for marathon running and dry which is nice," Kotter said. "There was a nice tailwind for about five minutes and then we had a headwind so it was swirly a little bit."

Kotter is no stranger to the course after winning with a faster time of 2:16:17 in rainy conditions last year.

"Winning is always super fun because St. George is arguably the most competitive race in Utah so anytime you can win is a lot of fun because there's a lot of good runners out there," Kotter said.

Metler, who won the race in 2010, 2014 and 2015, crossed the line in second place this year as the highest local finisher.

As a St. George resident, he says this race is always been special for him no matter where he finishes.

"Living in this community and being the local guy is an unforgettable experience," Metler said. "I run it every year for the crowd, the people here and the community. It's the best marathon."

On the women's side, Sylvia Bedford not only won for the second year in a row but set a women's course record in the process with a time of 2:34:18.

Bedford smashed Deeja Youngquist's previous women's record of 2:36:06 set in 2007 by almost a full two minutes.

"It felt so nice to get the course record, that was kind of my goal and I was happy that the win came along with that so it felt awesome," Bedford said. 

Bedford has improved both her times and results each year she has run the marathon, going from eighth place in 2016 to fourth place in 2017 to winning in the last two years and finishing with a course record this year.

Still, she says that this year's race was a little difficult for her coming down towards St. George for the final few miles.

(10/07/2019) Views: 1,814 ⚡AMP
by Terell Wilkins

The annual St. George Marathon is set for its 43rd run Saturday morning

The annual St. George Marathon is set for its 43rd run Saturday morning, and entrants in the 2020 race will have the option to run a half-marathon.

According to a press release issued by the city of St. George, the marathon is the city’s signature event, having received accolades for a variety of superlatives, including the course itself and the enthusiasm of its more than 1,000 volunteers.

“The marathon would not be the event it has become without the efforts and support of our great community — from the participants, to our City staff and especially the volunteers,” Leisure Service Director Shane McAffee said. “The marathon is such a beautiful reflection of our scenery and the great people that reside here.”

The event officially begins Friday with the Marathon Expo at the Dixie Convention Center. It is free for the public to attend and where runners pick up their packets. The booths, free samples, photo opportunities and keynote speakers combine to kickstart to the weekend.

At Vernon Worthen Park, the “Marathon Fun Walk Run n’ Roll” events begin at 6 p.m. Friday. Children ages 3-12 or anyone with special needs are invited to participate. After the event, (200-meter or 1-mile distances), everyone is invited to celebrate with a party in the park that will go until 8 p.m.

On the morning of the marathon, Mayor Jon Pike will lead hundreds of participants in the traditional Mayor’s Walk. The approximate 2-mile walk begins at Sandtown Park and ends at Vernon Worthen Park, where scones are provided by the Exchange Club of St. George.

“The whole day is just a wonderful tradition and a great citywide celebration,” Pike said.

Starting next year, there will be a half-marathon called the St. George 13.1. During this year’s Expo, interested runners can lock in the lowest rate for the 2020 St. George 13.1 — $60.

“We’ve noticed throughout the years that marathon runners receive a lot of support from their families. The option of a half marathon may encourage more participation within the family who are already in — or plan to be in — St. George that weekend,” said Michelle Graves, race director and deputy director of arts and events for the city of St. George. “You need not be a participant in this year’s marathon to sign up for the St. George 13.1 — but that $60 rate is only good for the day of the Expo.”

(10/01/2019) Views: 1,869 ⚡AMP
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Debbie Zockoll ran the first St George Marathon back in 1977, and hasn´t stopped in 42 years

Debbie Zockoll has run the St. George Marathon as an inexperienced 21-year-old. She has run St. George while seven-months pregnant. She has run it fast and slow, in good weather and bad, while receiving breast-cancer treatments, and recovering from appendix cancer. In fact, about the only thing Zockoll hasn’t done at St. George is not run the annual Utah event that cascades through spectacular red-rock canyons. Her 41-successive finishes is believed to be the world-record “marathon streak” for women. On October 6, Zockoll, 62, takes aim on St. George number 42. This time she’s battling cancer in her lymph nodes. She had surgery just six weeks ago, but don’t bet against her. (10/02/2018) Views: 2,062 ⚡AMP