SPRINGDALE – Nearly 3,000 running shoes will be laced-up Saturday morning as 1,500 runners prepare to take their place at the start-line of the Zion Half Marathon. The race will start at 7 a.m. and runners will have 3.5 hours to finish.
The course will begin in Virgin, just off Highway 9 on Camino Del Rio, and then turn north and follow Highway 9 through Rockville to Springdale. Once in Springdale, the route shifts onto the bike path that follows the highway for about 2 miles. The course then gets back onto the highway and the race ends at the driveway of the Giant Screen Theatre near the Zion National Park entrance.
Registration for the race was filled and closed a few weeks ago, Zion Half Marathon Marketing and Communications Director Robin Rodgers said. However, spectators are welcome to attend and experience the fun and excitement.
“Please try and be at least a half an hour early if you plan on attending, spectating,” Rodgers said. “There will be music and fun at the finish line so please come and enjoy.”
The park expects heavy traffic during the Zion Half Marathon and may implement active traffic control along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to ensure visitor safety and mitigate resource damage. Park visitors should expect long lines at Entrance Stations and are encouraged to carpool.
Event details
- When: Saturday, March 22, at 7 a.m.
- Where: Zion National Park
- Website: Zion Half Marathon
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St. George News Videographer Amber Green contributed to this report.
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Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.
Another road closure. How does this help the local economy again? How about running a race on the hundreds of paved trails we have instead of running on the already overtaxed roads.
Good question BSMETER, I am the founder of the race company that puts this event on. Less than 3.5% of runners are from southern utah. Nearly $2 million dollars will be spent by runners and their friends and family this weekend alone.
We are considering other options for alternate dates in the future.
And regarding the location, infortunately, there are no paved trails that offer views of Zion canyon.