Ironman announces changes to St. George race

Ironman Maik Twelsiek, Ironman Competition, St. George, Utah, May 9, 2011 | Photo by Joyce Kuzmanic, St. George News

TAMPA, Fla. – Ironman officials announced changes to Ironman St. George on Thursday, April 26.  Starting in 2013, the event will be converted to an Ironman 70.3 and will consist of a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run.

“We’ve listened to our athletes and they’ve told us that while they love St. George — the people, the community and surroundings — St. George does not work for them as a full-distance Ironman,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of Ironman. “Our belief is that St. George will flourish as a 70.3 and we are pleased that we are continuing our relationship with St. George and with the state of Utah.”

The swim course will follow a shorter loop through Sand Hollow Reservoir, the bike route will lead athletes along Red Hills Parkway through the brilliant scenery of Snow Canyon State Park, and the half-marathon will take participants up Red Hills Parkway and back. The finish line will still be located at Town Square.

“We welcome this new race as a continuation of the momentum we’ve started with Ironman St. George,” said Kevin Lewis, Director of Sports Marketing with the St. George Convention and Tourism Office. “We estimate that the economic impact to our community will be similar to that of a full-distance Ironman, while the cost of hosting and the need for road closures and necessary services is reduced.”

One of nearly 60 Ironman 70.3 events worldwide, Ironman 70.3 St. George is set to take place on Saturday, May 4, 2013.  Athletes will compete for a professional prize purse of $15,000 and 75 age-group qualifying slots for the 2013 Ironman World Championship 70.3 scheduled for September at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev.

For more information on Ironman 70.3, visit www.ironman.com. Maps and other Ironman 70.3 St. George event information will be available starting June 1 on www.ironmanstgeorge.com.

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6 Comments

  • Emily April 26, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    The date is Saturday May 5th not the 4th =)

  • 2013 April 26, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    That’s May 4, 2013, but good try. 🙂

  • Fred April 26, 2012 at 7:58 pm

    Oughta just get rid of the whole thing. Disruption to our city is way too much and too long. The Marathon is one thing, it helps the city and at least only lasts a few hours. All day closures are just plain ridiculous. And what really rankles me is the “volunteers” piling up to help this race. Don’t they realize that the Ironman group is a for-profit venture? These guys are making money hand over fist while our city just rolls over and gives them anything they want.

    Totally disgusting.

  • Kelli April 27, 2012 at 9:18 am

    Yay, I can’t wait until May 5th! I love when the Ironman comes to town. We’ve already planned a place to set up our chairs in Ivins and cheer on the bikers as they zip by. Since they are shortening the race next year, I might run in it msyelf! Hope the Ironman comes to St George for years to come!

  • Shel April 28, 2012 at 4:33 pm

    Fred, you are entitled to your opinion, but YOU sound ridiculous . Do you have any idea how many hotel rooms, meals, and other items are sold in your city while the IM athletes/family/friends, volunteers, staff, etc., are in town? Yes, the WTC is a for-profit operation, but who are you to criticize those who wish to spend their own time to assist the endeavor by volunteering? The Ironman race is an inspirational, spectator-friendly event, causing no harm to you personally, other than MAYBE a few hours worth of inconvenience, which is announced well-prior to the event so you can plan ahead. Tell me, do you run a business in town? I’ll be sure to avoid it when I’m there doing the 70.3 race in 2013. In fact, I’ll also tell my friends who are competing and volunteering in this year’s full IM to avoid it as well.

  • Not a Mormon April 29, 2012 at 4:15 pm

    Yes, hotels and restaurants make some cash, but the inconvenience of closing roads absolutely is ridiculous. The city DOES bend over backwards for this attention and revenue. The race should be restricted to a course laid out in the desert somewhere away from roads. Let them be real Ironmen in the wilderness and leave our roads alone. I also don’t get the whole Utah Mormon volunteer orgasm that folks around here get, but whatever. At least they’re not out mugging people. Hopefully they’ll paint their faces like the Mormon family on South Park. “Yeah! We’re going to feed the homeless! Woohoo!”

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