Snow Canyon Half Marathon set for return to St. George; some traffic impacts expected
The 17th iteration of the Snow Canyon Half Marathon is set for Saturday at 9 a.m., and traffic impacts are expected in and around the park and surrounding roadways.
The picturesque route of the Snow Canyon Half Marathon has competitors run along State Route 18, through Snow Canyon State Park, and finish near lava fields at Snow Canyon High School.
Expected to include more than 3,200 participants, the race is likely to be the largest of its kind in southwestern Utah.
"The Snow Canyon Half Marathon has always been a popular choice, with the awe-inspiring views of Snow Canyon State Park," said Michelle Graves, the city's Assistant Parks and Community Services Director. "Throw in the fact that there are not many places in the intermountain West where you can race this late into the year, and there is no surprise that this race has become so popular throughout the region."
Known for its dramatic red-rock scenery, the race is rated among North America's best half-marathons by "Runner's World" magazine, as well as RaceRaves.com. The mostly downhill course drops approximately 1,800 feet in elevation from the starting line to the finish line.
The public is invited to join in and cheer near the finish line at Snow Canyon High.
In addition to the half marathon, there are several other shorter-distance racs to accommodate different age groups and people with varying abilities.
A 5k race also starts at 9 a.m., as does a 10k. There is a "Fun Run Walk n Roll" starting at 11 a.m.
About 80% of the competitors tend to come from outside of Washington County, making the race a major draw for tourism dollars, according to organizers.
There will be a few traffic impacts during the race, with the state park closed to traffic from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. There will also be temporary closures or police on hand to help facilitate traffic on Lava Flow Drive and Pioneer Parkway, with delays likely from 9 a.m. to about noon.
The half-marathon has been run every year except in 2020 when it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Snow Canyon Half Marathon set for return to St. George
