ST. GEORGE— Relay race teams at Utah Tech were tested on endurance, strength, perseverance and wit during this year’s Great Race.
The Great Race is a school tradition that dates back to the 1960s, originally only a bike race through St. George. In the 1970s, it morphed into a 10-person relay team that included motorcycles, horseback riding across Foremaster Ridge and tubing down the Virgin River.
The event now pays homage to those traditions through easter eggs around the contest, such as the current swimming section involving tubes.
In 2000 the event moved on-campus, where it has remained. The mud pit is the most infamous part of the challenge, and this year’s twist was no exception. Due to new construction at the university, the course was altered this year, taking the form of a 60-foot long, six-foot deep trench.
“We typically have a mud pit where we dig out a mud pit and fill it with water,” Dave Howell, Director of Campus Recreation, told St. George News. “This year, we have a mud crawl.”
The event promotes competition and camaraderie among students, faculty and community members.
“I think it’s great that students get to compete against faculty,” Howell said.
Before the event, Dean of Students Ali Threet said her all-women’s team had a clear goal in mind.
“We will hopefully be in the middle because we know we can beat half at least of these teams,” Threet said.
Part of Threet’s team was Janelle Young, who chose herself as the group’s mud-crawl designee. She said she loves the tradition.
“I feel like traditions like this that have been going on for years and years keep getting better and better,” Young said.
Special prizes were awarded to the top five teams to foster spirited participation and reward creative and athletic excellence.
The first-place team was awarded $500 to donate to a club, organization, or scholarship of their choice, with smaller prizes for second through fifth place.
Deportados CF, an unaffiliated group of students, clinched first place with a time of 12:26. They were closely followed by the Ambadassadors, who secured the second spot with a time of 12:44.
The Electric Dolphins not only took third place with a time of 13:20 but also earned the ‘Most Spirited’ award. The Swimions, a team comprised of members of the UT swim team, were awarded ‘Best Dressed’ and also managed to secure fifth place.
Photo Gallery
The Utah Tech student teams are prepped before The Great Race event, St. George, Utah, April 12, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
A Utah Tech student crawls through the mud St. George, Utah, April 12, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
Contestants from each team prepare for the start of The Great Race in St. George, Utah, April 12, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
Team Peer Coach Pack said his team worked hard for first place at The Great Race in St. George, Utah, April 12, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
The Swimions took home fifth place in The Great Race, St. George, Utah, April 12, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
Some Utah Tech students struggled to get through the new mud crawl, St. George, Utah, April 12, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
Utah Tech students powering through the mud crawl, St. George, Utah, April 12, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
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