WASHINGTON — The double dog dare has been issued, and 26 runners responded. The challengers simply could not ignore a double dog dare. The half marathon wasn’t crazy enough for them, so the crazy runners completed the half marathon in reverse, from the finish line to the start line, and then ran the half marathon with the other runners, from start to finish.

The 26 runners registered for the first double dog dare challenge ran a total of 26.2 miles. There was no timing for the first 13.1 miles. Only requirement was they needed to be at the start line by 8:55 a.m. so when the gun went off at 9:00 a.m. they could be in the gates, ready for the second leg.

For the challengers, 1Law sponsored a large RV which was their “mobile lounge” said Dustin Halterman, PR representative for the race. “For the 26 participants that is their own area,” Halterman said. “They can drop their stuff and relax in the RV. There will be extra swag, food and treats for them.” 

VIP status was given to the challengers, along with extra sponsor swag and an additional Double Dog Dare Finisher’s medal.

The total event had 1,500 participants registered, including 900 for the half marathon, 100 children registered for the kids run and 500 for the 5k and 9k races.

The kids run was at capacity at 100, and the children giggled and cheered as they raced around the animals and through the fields of the Staheli Family Farm about one mile long. Leading the race was Grandpa Ralph Staheli, owner and operator of the farm.

Aaron Metler took first place in the half marathon with a time of 1 hour and 8 minutes. Metler is the organizer for many races in St. George, and decided on a whim to run. He registered only two days before the race.

“I finally got a chance to run them,” Metler said. “Working a race is fun but it’s really nice to get a break and run one.”

Metler took first place in the men’s category of the St. George Marathon in 2010.

Stealing first place for the women was Amber Green, who also competed in the Double Dog Dare Challenge.

“It was awesome,” Green said. “It was a good course and good weather, nice down hill course… Some friends and I started before everyone at 6:30 and ran from the finish line to the start line and then we had about a half hour and then we turned around and ran back.”

Green took first place in the women’s category of the St. George Marathon in 2012.

“It’s a beautiful course because it goes through the trail system,” Halterman said. “The course is what makes it unique and we try to do cool, different stuff each year.”

This year runners received a “doggie” bag which included chips, peanuts and other items along with their runner fuel at the end of chocolate milk, water and bananas.

Runners also received a beanie rather than the standard T-shirt of most other races, Halterman said.

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Related posts

• St. George Half Marathon, Tuff Kids Run a Family Affair
• St. George’s Amber Green wins marathon – 2012
• St. George runner takes home marathon trophy – 2010
• Dixie Forum: St. George Marathon history, 38-time runner
• Snow Canyon Half Marathon continues to grow in popularity

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