ST. GEORGE — What was once known as the St. George Half Marathon has a new name to go along with a new, awe-inspiring course, serving to squash the wintertime blues of runners from throughout the intermountain west.
Set upon a river’s edge with red rock views, enthusiastic participants and mild temperatures that are the envy of the Wasatch Front, the longest-running 13.1-mile race in Southern Utah – 41 years to be exact – returns this year with the newly named Virgin River Half Marathon, set for Jan. 14 at 9 a.m., according to a news release issued by the city of St. George.
The Virgin River Half begins and ends in front of the Dixie Convention Center.
Aaron Metler, recreation manager for races and special events, said in the release that renaming the race offered an opportunity for them to accentuate “the connection to nature that runners experience.”
“This is one of our most popular races for many reasons; perhaps the biggest reason is the great weather we typically enjoy at that time of the year,” he said. “There are not many places where you can run a half marathon in the middle of January.”
In most years, approximately two-thirds of Virgin River Half participants are from outside Southern Utah – including a significant number from the Wasatch Front. In 2022, this USA Track & Field certified race featured runners from 14 different states.
Sign up for the race at this link.
There will also be races of smaller lengths, including:
- 10 kilometers (9 a.m.)
- 5 kilometers (9:15 a.m.)
- Fun Run Walk n’ Roll ( 11 a.m.)
Festivities begin Jan. 13 with the race expo, set for 1-8 p.m. at the Dixie Center. There will be food, vendors and members of the health and fitness industry on-site. Race participants will pick up their race packets and there will be an opportunity for late registration.