The 50th St. George Marathon has reached full capacity, with an all-time record of 10,800 participants signed up for the milestone anniversary event. The race is scheduled to begin on Oct. 3, spanning a 26.2-mile course from Veyo to Snow Canyon and ending at Vernon Worthen Park.
Aaron Metler, the race and event coordinator for the city of St. George, stated that the registration numbers include a record 6,500 runners in the full marathon and 3,200 participants in the half-marathon. Additionally, 1,000 people have registered for the 5K race, including approximately 300 children in the Fun Run and 200 participants in the Mayor’s Walk, which will feature St. George Mayor Jimmie Hughes in his inaugural appearance.
Metler noted that the anniversary celebration will include special medal designs and a new finish line layout intended to enhance the runner experience. The event will also feature prize money in certain categories and a professional field containing elite runners from across the country. Metler anticipates that the competition may result in new course and personal records.
The marathon's origins trace back to 1976, founded by Sherman Miller, who served as the city's first parks and recreation director. Johnathan Miller, who first ran the race in 1979 when it had only 320 participants, noted that the event has grown exponentially since its early years when traffic on SR-18 was not blocked and spectators used galvanized tin drums for bonfires.
The St. George Marathon Expo is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2, at the Dixie Convention Center from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. This event serves as the runner check-in point for bib pickup and course details. Johnathan Miller, author of a history of the race titled From Marathon to Main Street: A Race Through the History of St. George, plans to staff a booth at the expo.
