The St. George Marathon is a popular choice for those looking for fast Fall marathon times. The net downhill, point-to-point course starts nearly a mile up in the Pine Valley Mountains and descends 2600 feet to the finish.
Although the course drops nearly a half mile in elevation from start to finish, there are a few uphills along the course as well.
The St. George Marathon was the 17th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 15th largest in 2022.
This year 8.2% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 13.8% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the St. George Marathon the 115th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 182nd highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 103.65 ranks it as the 15th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 3rd fastest course in Utah.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the St. George Marathon a PR Score of 103.65. This PR Score ranks it as the 10th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 3rd fastest in Utah.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
St. George Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 5244 feet (1598m) Min Elevation: 2685 feet (818m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the St. George Marathon
View available accomodations around the St. George Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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How Fast Can You Go?
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Ratings & Reviews: None
NW's review of 2023 St. George Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
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.
Nothing to add; the buses were on time and the walk from the Best Western Coral Hills was about 5 short blocks, so easy!
WER's review of 2022 St. George Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
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.
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.
Lynsey's review of 2022 St. George Marathon.
4 /
5 Stars
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.
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.
