The 50th annual St. George Marathon is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. on Oct. 3 with a record-setting field of 10,000 runners from across the globe. This milestone race features a variety of top-flight marathon runners and a significant prize purse.
Three men are projected to challenge the course record of 2:13:56, which was set by Jake Heslington in 2025. The projected challengers are Michael Otteson of Provo, Eric Nelson of Nibley, and Travis Feeny of Cedar City. In the female division, competitors Shannon Smith of Paonia, Colorado, Morgan Jensen of Sandy, and three-time winner Sylvia Bedford of South Jordan are projected to finish within the 2:29 to 2:33 range.
Festivities will include the St. George Marathon and Half Marathon Expo on Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Dixie Convention Center, where participants can pick up race packets and visit various vendors. Also on Oct. 2, the St. George Marathon 5K and Fun Run events will be held at Vernon Worthen Park, with the Fun Run starting at 5 p.m. and the 5K at 6 p.m.
On the morning of the marathon, the Mayor’s Walk will begin at 7 a.m. led by Mayor Jimmie Hughes. This 1-mile course starts at the Washington County School District parking lot and travels east on Tabernacle and down Main Street to the finish line at Vernon Worthen Park.
Established in 1977, the St. George Marathon is recognized by Runner’s World as one of four marathons to build a vacation around and is noted as a top 10 scenic and fastest marathon. The USA Track & Field certified, point-to-point race begins in the Pine Valley Mountains and descends nearly 2,600 feet. It is Utah's largest marathon and the 13th largest in the United States.
Michelle Graves, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services for the City of St. George, said the marathon provides an experience like no other by showcasing the natural terrain while runners test their endurance.
