St. George Marathon Reviews

  Rolling descent!

By NW about 2023

Review

This is a great race, very well organized and even provided Zip Loc bags with ice and cold, wet towels in the late stages of the marathon as the temperature climbed to 88 (at the time I finished, 4:10:39) and higher for athletes who needed more time. Flawless management!!

Race Tips

I focused a good part of my training on running downhill hard and doing lots of quad strength training. That really helped and my quads were fine afterwards. What I neglected was my glutes. I should have done some strength training for glutes, too, and they would not have been so sore the next few days.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Nothing to add; the buses were on time and the walk from the Best Western Coral Hills was about 5 short blocks, so easy!

  Well organized, but ouch!

By Lynsey about 2022

Review

This race was very well organized. Since this was my first time running, I went to the first timers clinic during the expo. They gave out a TON of good information and tips on how to run the course! The elevation profile for the course was really rough for me. I have heard more success stories than not on this course, but I had a rough time. The course is either going up or down with no real flat parts.

A lot of people talk about the beauty of the course. I don't want to sound snobbish, but I don't get it. I am originally from Reno, NV and it looked like everywhere I have ever seen in Nevada. Brown and sagebrush everywhere. There was one small section where I saw some red rock formations that were beautiful...I just personally would not call the course overall beautiful or scenic.

Race Tips

THIS IS A DOWNHILL COURSE! Do some long runs downhill. I failed to do so and by mile 24, my quads were shot. Although this is a downhill course, there are definitely some uphills as well.

  Beautiful run- train for down (and up) hills.

By WER about 2022

Review

Great volunteers and organization. They've been doing this race for 45 years and have it down. Beautiful run through red rock canyons and volcanoes (inactive.)

Race Tips

The race is mostly downhill, but there are three longish up hills. The first is at mile 7 and is the longest and steepest of the three. Take it easy until 7 and conserve up the hill to 9. Then you have another easier hill up to 11. I think you could open it up here. The final hill is at 18 or so and is pretty mild, but at this point... at 20, open it up to the finish if you have anything left. No uphills after that but not much shade, either.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Traffic to the bus pickup is light, but there are some street closures. Lots of good casual restaurants in town. Wear suncreen and bring throwaway clothes for the start. After the sun rises, there is some shade in the first half of the race, but really sunny after that.

  Fun Fast Scenic

By DEL about 2018

Review

Exceptional support from volunteers and town. Surprising crowd support, given the wilderness aspect of the course. One good uphill pull around 9, but gets really fast toward the end. Scenery is fantastic, and you can go tour Zion before the race.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

We hit the expo on Friday then drove 40 minutes up to Zion National Park. Phenomenal scenery, great way to spend the day.

By Joanne about 2018

Review

Organization is somewhat good. A long delay for buses and no one informed runners what's going on. Although I really appreciate the aids group who help put icy hot topical on runners with painful legs during hilly course.

Race Tips

This is not an easy course if you didn't train hills properly. With some climbs to run up would be enough to destroy quads, calves hence it's difficult to enjoy downhill.

  Best volunteers!

By Jennifer about 2018

Review

Excellent marathon! Very well-organized, amazing aid stations with the best volunteers along the entire course. Beautiful scenery and weather! Fast course on second half, prepare for hills in first half! I was able to PR and BQ. I highly recommend this marathon.

  

By Stephanie Lott about 2018

  Fun Experience

By M about 2017

Review

This race was well organized. Volunteers were friendly & supportive. Post race snacks were great.

Race Tips

There is no shade most of the race until you get down into the city around mile 20. The scenery is pretty but gets a little repetitive after so many miles. Running pretty much point to point is nice in that there are few turns on your knees but mentally makes it feel a little long.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

My friend & I parked in town by the finish line the day before & hitched a ride to the start line the next morning.

  Could be better

By Sam about 2017

Review

Bus situation needs improvement! Get there early because it is a mess. Every year is getting more unorganized. Course is a rolling one, not all downhill, but many steep, long uphills too. Train hard on hilly routes. Very warm second half.

Race Tips

Start off slow

  Be Very Carefully With Downhill Running

By Alex about 2017

Review

Look at your pace carefully at the first 7 miles dont push too had until you get to mile 16.

bring sleeping bag if you arrive too early to the start line, very very cold.

Its the perfect marathon to make the time of your life, but.... you have to be prepare.

Very well organized race actually the best!!!

I ll be back.

  

By DSB about 2016

Review

This year was the 40th running of the St. George Marathon and my first time at the event. It absolutely lived up to its reputation for the beauty of the course and the expert organization.

The good things:
- Well run expo that wasn't very large but had anything you might have forgotten to bring. I attended the first timers talk and was treated to a speaker who has run the race every year from the 1st to now. If it's your first time, I highly recommend attending the talk.

- The bus ride to the start line was run as smooth as silk. I have to admit that my 3:15AM wake up call was tough, but the friendly volunteers and the perfectly run process of loading the buses made this part of the race completely painless.

- The hour and a half wait at just over 5000' of elevation at the start line was made much easier by the bonfires that were lit to take the edge off the cool morning. This year's race was actually very warm at the finish, but the start line temperatures were in the low 50's.

- The race itself was amazing, the course was incredibly beautiful. Be prepared for plenty of uphills, though, it's not all downhill. The hill at Veyo is no joke and the gradual climb from mile 10 through 12 is sneakily tough. There are some rolling hills around mile 22 that actually help break up some of the downhill and are a bit of a relief to your legs that have been pounded by all the downhill.

- The finish area is in a small park and definitely gets a bit congested, but the finish line food is excellent. Plenty of fruit and chocolate milk as well as ice cream which was wonderful after a warm finish.

Race Tips

Things to watch out for:

- Be prepared for the pounding of the downhill, do plenty of training, your quads and hamstrings will be decimated by the finish line. Things to watch out for: - Be prepared for the pounding of the downhill, do plenty of training, your quads and hamstrings will be decimated by the finish line. - It's very easy to go out way too fast, watch your pace and this is an easy negative split. - This year got very warm and there is no cover on the course so once the sun was out there was no escape. I trained all summer in the Texas heat so I was OK, but the shuttle was constantly running back and forth to carry people out. Things to watch out for: - Be prepared for the pounding of the downhill, do plenty of training, your quads and hamstrings will be decimated by the finish line. - It's very easy to go out way too fast, watch your pace and this is an easy negative split. - This year got very warm and there is no cover on the course so once the sun was out there was no escape. I trained all summer in the Texas heat so I was OK, but the shuttle was constantly running back and forth to carry people out.

- It's very easy to go out way too fast, watch your pace and this is an easy negative split.

- This year got very warm and there is no cover on the course so once the sun was out there was no escape. I trained all summer in the Texas heat so I was OK, but the shuttle was constantly running back and forth to carry people out.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

This was easily the most smoothly run of any race event I have done so far. The city of St. George is a beautiful place with very friendly people and plenty of food options if you don't want to do the pasta dinner. I gave the spectators a 4 because you don't see many until you get into town for the last couple of miles. But, those spectators are wonderfully full of enthusiasm and definitely give you a boost for the final miles. If you love running and running marathons, St. George is an absolute must-run.

  

By J.W. about 2016

Race Tips

This course ROLLS. Make no mistake. Could just be the toughest course I've ever done. Don't come here chasing a sub-3. Do the training and find a real course. This course was a joke.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Save the hotel money. Drive your EV to the start and just sleep there.

  

By TK about 2016

Review

The date for this marathon is too early in the Fall, 1st weekend of October. I think this results in too many years in which the temperature at the finish is too warm. Its a sunny course, no shade. 2016 was too hot.

Race Tips

Stay below goal pace the 1st 10-12 miles as Veyo hill and the following inclines can take a toll. If the weather is good and you are conservative early, this can be a fast course.

  

By CB about 2016

Review

Best marathon I've ever done. Fabulous organization, great spectators, plenty of volunteers and aid stations, beautiful course.

Race Tips

Don't rely on getting into a Port-a-Potty on the course very quickly. I waited over 2 minutes to get in. If there's a line, run ahead to the next group. The pacers were awesome. You can hit a hard, challenging pace early on due to the downhill grade. The uphills will certainly add a bit of that time back though. I walked the uphills (3 of the big ones) and still had a PR.

  

By Anonymous about 2016

Review

Friendliest, most organized race ever. The organizers really thought of everything!

Race Tips

Be prepared for more uphills than advertised.

  

By dwp about 2016

Review

The St. George marathon is extremely well organized with great race volunteers and very supportive crowds. Weather can vary greatly from year to year, and if it is warm, it can feel really warm. Beautiful scenery and a great crowd. After 40 years of running it, they pretty much have it down.

Race Tips

The overall course profile is downhill, but there are a couple of significant climbs. Generally, the second half is faster - unless you fade badly like I did. Hydrate, it is the desert. Pace yourself at the finish - longest finish alley ever - the barricades start .75 mile out, and you can see the finish, but it is still a ways off.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Book your hotel early. The town fills up. It is point-to-point, with an early morning bus ride out to the starting point, then run back to the town center. Don't hesitate to take an early bus, as they have food, fires, music, blankets, etc at the start.

  

By Jt about 2016

Review

Tough uphill at mile 7 just as tough downhill around mile 15.

Race Tips

Great support

  

By steve about 2015

Review

Gorgeous scenery, great community support. Downside it can get hot before you finish.

Race Tips

Practice running downhill. It gets steep in spots and it's later in the race, so your quads need to be prepared for that.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Come a couple days early and visit Zion National park (just an hour away). There are many low impact, low energy expenditure hikes you can do. You owe it to yourself, especially if you've never been in this part of the country before.

  

By DJT about 2015

Review

Organization - I can't imagine what more they can do. Expo was good (not too big), shuttles were efficient, campfires at the start with water, hot chocolate, coffee.

Race - first 7 miles and then 14 to finish are downhill and very fast. Miles 7-14 are uphill with some flats and rollers. The last few miles are in St George and the spectators are fantastic.

Finish Area - Lots of post race food choices. I don't eat a lot after a marathon, but generally will gravitate to ice cream and fruit -- plenty of choices...

Medal - best ever. Cut from local red rock sandstone - all are slightly different.

Race Tips

Although it is a net downhill you will need to train for the 4 mile grind up from Veyo to the the Volcano. Marathon starts at high elevation (5240 ft) at 6:45 AM, so gloves and a long sleeve shirt will be necessary for the first few miles.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Three marathons in St George, I used Marriott (Fairfield Inn and Courtyard). Hotels are very accommodating and have shuttles.

  

By ES about 2015

Review

So incredibly organized. Beautiful scenery.

Race Tips

Very gradual and long uphill from about miles 8-13.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Flying into Las Vegas then driving to St. George was easy.

  

By jlarson about 2011

Review

This marathon was my first ever and I loved it!!! Great run, and great volunteer help at each station. They also provide icy hot at the later stations which was a complete Godsend!!!!

Race Tips

Don't let anyone tell you there are no hills in this race, and I promise you, that you will not hit a wall, because there are no walls on the course!!!!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Plan to ride the first bus. It's not that cold in the morning, I didn't even bring a jacket or pants, they have plenty of fires to keep warm.

  

By DJ about 2009

Review

Great location, wonderful volunteers, and very well organized. I have done this one before, and I plan to do it again this year.

Race Tips

Train for Veyo Hill. After a few miles of downhill from the start, you will be faced with a long, drawn out hill as you leave the small town of Veyo. You'll know it when you cross a bridge and see a huge hill in front of you. Train for long hills like this, after miles of downhill. You'll need to switch which muscles you are using, and it will be a huge mental challenge to keep at it. Just pick your pace and stick to it. The hill eventually tapers out and gets back to flats and then downhill again... it just takes a few miles to do so. Hang in there.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Buy clothes at a 2nd hand store like Goodwill, so you can stay warm for the hour or two while waiting for a bus to the start line and while standing around at the start line in the dark. The start of the race is above 5,000 elevation, so it is chilly up there before the sun comes up. You can drop your extra clothes (long sleeve hoodies and pants, etc) in a drop bag before the start, or you can wear them for a mile or two and then drop them on the side of the road as you race. Anything not left in a drop bag with your number on it will be donated to charity.