ST. GEORGE — More volunteers are needed for the upcoming May 7, 2022, Intermountain Healthcare Ironman World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission Course.
For the first time in the race’s 44-year history, it will be held outside of Hawaii.
There are 3,300 volunteers signed up to assist with the world-class event, but 4,500 to 5,000 would be ideal, Kevin Lewis said Wednesday during the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Volunteers can sign up on the Greater Zion website.
“So the excitement and enthusiasm are there, but we still need more volunteers,” Lewis said. “The volunteer party will be on Monday evening, May 9, at Legacy Park, and it will be big and fun with lots of prize giveaways and entertainment.”
Volunteers are needed for logistics to get everyone where they need to be. Lewis expressed appreciation to the community for supporting race events in St. George for many years. Other ways people can get involved include handing out water at aid stations along the course, greeting athletes at the finish line, gear transfer and course cleanup.
Lewis encouraged the community to cheer on the athletes from all over the world during Ironman.
“You can get alongside the course, for instance, at Red Hills Parkway,” Lewis said. “You’re not going be able to drive up there, but you can park and walk up and experience the bikes coming across there.”
Another location is the M-Dot monument in downtown St. George. The bikers and runners will pass the statue several times during the Ironman event. He said people would need to ride the shuttle from the Dixie Center to avoid congestion downtown.
“We’re encouraging spectators to park at the Dixie Center, where we’ve got a shuttle coming into town,” he said. “So you don’t have to drive down to the congestion.”
He noted those who want to view the swimming part of Ironman at Sand Hollow need to ride a shuttle as well. There is no spectator parking at Sand Hollow on race day. Parking is also available in the parking structures and surface lots around Town Square Park. Shuttles are free to the public.
Visit the Greater Zion website and click on any section to avoid the racecourse. Then specific traffic instructions for navigating around on race day will be displayed. Lewis said his organization has sent out traffic mailers to neighborhoods on the course. The event’s printed magazine is available online as well.
There is a week of activities leading up to the main event. On Monday, May 2. The Ironman Village in Town Square will be the location for athlete check-in, athlete briefings, and the Ironman Merchandise Store. The Ironman Village is free and open to the public. The public will be able to interact with the athletes, as well as official Ironman Partners and Vendors.
The Ironman Kids Run will be at Town Square Park on Tuesday, May 3, at 4:30 p.m. This race offers children to feel the excitement of competition while promoting healthy living, according to the website. Participants may be between 6 months to 17 years old.
Also on Tuesday will be the Ironman Parade of Athletes at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street near Town Square.
“What I really appreciated about this event and always felt like is it gives us an opportunity to naturally showcase the beauty of the land and what we have here,” Lewis said. “We wake up every morning with the beauty. People from around the world come here and put their heart and their soul, their blood, sweat and tears into the experience of getting here. And then they leave it all literally on the pavement. And they’ve created a connection to this place that you don’t just get by passing through.”
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