The 20th annual Snow Canyon Half Marathon is scheduled for Nov. 14 in St. George. According to a notice from the City of St. George, the event follows the recent 50th anniversary of the St. George Marathon.
The event is expected to include more than 4,000 athletes participating in the Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Fun Run events. This marks a significant increase from 2006, when the race field consisted of 500 runners. Aaron Metler, Race Manager for the City of St. George, stated that the course beauty, fall temperatures, and potential for fast finishing times have made the event a must-do for runners for two decades.
The USATF-certified course runs through Snow Canyon State Park and is noted for steep downhills. While the Half Marathon is the primary event, a 10K race will start in the state park and join the main course, and a 5K route will follow the Lava Flow Trail near Snow Canyon High School. Shorter-distance events are available for children, and an Adaptive division is available for those with disabilities.
Packet pickup is scheduled for Nov. 13 at the race Expo at the Dixie Convention Center from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday morning pickup will be available for a $10 fee if pre-purchased online.
For the races, the Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., while the Fun Run is scheduled for 11 a.m. Athletes must use buses to reach start lines, as drop-offs are not allowed. Buses for the Half Marathon and 10K will depart from the Washington County School District parking lot at 121 W. Tabernacle St., with shuttles returning participants to that location every 15 minutes.
The Snow Canyon Half Marathon is the second-largest city-sponsored race in St. George, following the St. George Marathon. Spectators can use the Snow Canyon Half Marathon App to track multiple athletes and see estimated finish times. Additionally, free online training from PR Performance Lab is available at sgcityutah.gov/snowcanyon.
The City of St. George is the fifth-largest city in Utah with more than 100,000 residents. It is located in Washington County and is known for proximity to recreation such as Snow Canyon State Park, Quail Creek, Sand Hollow Reservoirs, and Zion National Park.
