ST. GEORGE — Some 2,500 of the world’s top endurance athletes will be competing at the upcoming Ironman World Championship in St. George on May 7.
Below is a spectator’s guide to watching the all-day event, which is scheduled to start at Sand Hollow Reservoir early in the morning and expected to last clear until the end of the day, with the top pro finishers expected to cross the finish line in downtown St. George sometime in mid-afternoon, followed by many more age-group competitors finishing well into the late evening.
But while the last several Ironman events that St. George has hosted have been 70.3 miles, this World Championship will be the full Ironman distance of 140.6 miles: a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bike ride, then a full marathon run of 26.2 miles.
The expected completion times for each leg of the race will therefore be considerably later than they typically are for a 70.3 event. Because the course includes two loops on both the second and third legs, athletes will be passing certain locations multiple times over a period of several hours or more.
The double-length course also means longer road closure times, so motorists, spectators and other visitors are advised to plan accordingly. For more information about traffic impacts, see the recent story on St. George News. For more information from Ironman, including an interactive road closure map, click here.
Although being staged in 2022, the event is technically the 2021 Ironman World Championship, which was postponed after being unable to be staged in Kona, Hawaii last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Kona will return as host of the 2022 World Championship later this year, on Oct. 6. The annual event, which dates back to 1978, is billed as the longest-running and most distinguished endurance race in the world.
Much of the information in the spectator guide below is courtesy of the Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office. The tourism office is hosting the event, which is sponsored by Intermountain Healthcare and presented by the Utah Sports Commission.
Note that times and other details are subject to change. Keep up to date with the latest up-to-date information by visiting the event’s official website. To track the progress of specific athletes and get other real-time information during the race, download the free Ironman Athlete Tracker app via either Apple’s iTunes or for Android phones on Google Play.
To download official course maps and turn-by-turn descriptions of the routes the athletes will take, click on the following links: Swim | Bike | Run.
General spectator information
For the safety of athletes, spectators and normal traffic, spectators are advised to watch from the following locations, as suggested, and to stay away from remote locations unless they live in the immediate neighborhood. Spectators attempting to access more remote locations are likely to create additional traffic congestion and miss seeing the athletes they are attempting to follow.
Swim spectator area: Hurricane
Sand Hollow State Park
Sand Hollow Reservoir in Hurricane is one of most unique and scenic swim venues on the Ironman circuit. The crystal blue waters make ideal swim conditions for athletes. Sunrises here can be indescribable, and the desert scenery is unlike anywhere in the world.
Watching the start of the race is exciting, but it requires detailed planning. There is only one entrance into Sand Hollow State Park and the bike course limits access in and out. Because of this, the only way to access the starting area is by riding the mandatory shuttle; access by personal vehicles is prohibited on race day.
Spectators are encouraged on race day to park at the Dixie Center and take the shuttle to Town Square. From here, another shuttle will be boarded for drop off at Sand Hollow. Return shuttles will drop off spectators back at Town Square, where they can catch the Dixie Center shuttle. Spectator shuttles will continue to run into St. George and the Dixie Center starting shortly after the start of the race, until the last athletes exit the water and start their bike.
Note: To view the Pro Start, we estimate that spectators must be on board a shuttle at the Dixie Center prior to 5:15 a.m. To view the Pro Finish at Town Square, it is estimated spectators should be on board a return shuttle at Sand Hollow before noon. Arrival times for spectator shuttles are not guaranteed. Please account for traffic congestion, parking and walking distances when planning your day.
Once you’ve arrived at Sand Hollow, make your way to the main boat ramp where athletes start and finish the swim. You can line the transition area and the shoreline to watch the athletes enter and exit the water. As they exit the water, athletes run from the ramp to where their bikes are mounted in a fenced transition area (T1), toward the north end of the parking lot, then walk their bike to the starting shoot before mounting for the bike course.
Spectators can line the transition area and the beginning section of the bike course from the reservoir to the park entrance station to watch the cyclists depart.
Note: As they exit the park, athletes make a left turn onto Sand Hollow Road, then turn right onto the Southern Parkway (state Route 7). SR-7 from Warner Valley Road to SR-9 will be closed to traffic from 4:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on race day. Please adjust your travel plans accordingly.
Bike spectator area: Hurricane
3000 South Hurricane on SR-7
From 7:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., SR-7 at 3000 South in Hurricane is a great spectator location for those coming from Hurricane City on the east side of the course. The Southern Parkway/SR-7 will be closed to vehicle traffic, so access this viewing location via 1100 West from any location east of the Southern Parkway.
Note: SR-7 from Warner Valley Road to SR-9 will be closed to traffic from 4:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on race day. In addition, traffic on SR-9 west of the Southern Parkway is not recommended on race day. Please adjust your travel plans accordingly.
Bike spectator areas: Washington City
Turnaround at Main Street and 100 South
The World Championship course brings cyclists over I-15 and right down Main Street in Washington, right to the center of town, where they will turn around and head back to Buena Vista Boulevard. The turnaround at Main Street and 100 South in Washington is an ideal spectator location from 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It is right next to Veterans Park and the Washington City offices. Access to this viewing area is available from Telegraph Street anywhere east of Washington Parkway and there is ample parking nearby.
SR-7 at Warner Valley Road
In the morning, between 7:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., the turnaround at SR7 and Warner Valley Road in Washington is a good spectator location for those coming from Washington Fields and St. George on the southwest side of the course. Southern Parkway/SR-7 will be closed to vehicle traffic, so access to this viewing location would be from Washington Fields Road.
Spectator areas in St. George
Red Hills Parkway near Pioneer Park (Bike and Run)
From 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., Red Hills Parkway from 1000 East to Bluff Street is an ideal viewing location for pedestrians who don’t mind walking up to the area. During the race, spectating on Red Hills Parkway is accessible only by foot via 200 East/Skyline Drive, or from 900 East. We recommend parking on surface streets between Main Street and 200 East then walking up Skyline Drive to the viewing area.
Main Street from 200 North to 100 South (Bike and Run)
Main Street will be bursting with energy on race day. Cyclists turn onto Main Street from Diagonal Street at 200 North as they return to the transition area (T2) on Tabernacle Street. Runners will run up Main Street and Diagonal two times and return down Diagonal and Main Street two times on the out-and-back course. Spectators can see the runners four times in this section. We suggest walking up from Town Square. Parking is available on surface streets and in all public lots.
Main Street and Tabernacle (Bike and Run)
The roundabout at Main Street and Tabernacle is a feature location on the World Championship course. Athletes will pass by the M-dot monument (which is a short distance north of the finish line) six times as they navigate the course. This is an ideal location to feel the energy of the event. There is a short out-and-back on the run course on Tabernacle from Main Street to 400 East. Parking is available on surface streets and in all public lots.
Royal Oaks Park, 1400 West off Snow Canyon Parkway (Run)
For spectators on the west side of St. George, Royal Oaks Park will be an ideal location to view the marathon, but the park is only accessible via foot. There will be no parking in the park; do not access via Snow Canyon Parkway. Access this location from Sunset Boulevard, going north on 1400 West, and park well south of the park, and carefully walk to the park. Exit the area via Sunset as well. Athletes will be on the Halfway Wash Trail, between Snow Canyon Parkway and Dixie Drive, from 11:45 a.m. Saturday until after midnight, or approximately 12:15 a.m. Sunday.
Mathis Park, Dixie Drive (Run)
Mathis Park is the end of the out-and-back run. For spectators on the south side of St. George, Mathis Park is a great place to watch as runners loop the park twice – once on each leg of the run. Athletes will be in Mathis Park from 11:55 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Parking is available on surface streets and in all public lots nearby. Vehicles will not be allowed on the roads or parking lots at the park; access from side roads and walk into the park.
Spectator Areas in Ivins
Snow Canyon Parkway and Center Street (Bike)
Cyclists ride up Snow Canyon Parkway two times. On the first loop, they continue down Center Street in Ivins all the way through town before turning left on Kwavasa Drive then heading north on Old Highway 91 on their way up to Gunlock and Veyo. On the second loop, the course turns right onto Snow Canyon Drive. Spectators can gather along Snow Canyon Parkway and Center Street to view the event from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Approach from the south and park only south of Snow Canyon Parkway. Walk to Snow Canyon Parkway.
Spectator areas on Old Highway 91 and Gunlock Drive (locals only)
Residents who live in the following areas will have a front-row seat to the bike action, but out-of-area spectators have to catch the race elsewhere, as these areas will be closed to outside traffic.
Shivwits (Bike)
As the cyclists head up Old Highway 91, the course crosses through the lands of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes. The Paiutes were the original settlers of the area and their culture is an important part of the local heritage. At mile 59, the cyclists will pass the Shivwits convenience store. This is a good place to grab a drink and some snacks and watch the athletes head up the hill.
Gunlock (Bike) (locals only)
At mile 62, the course turns on to Gunlock Road for a long, sustained climb rising 1,500 feet over a span of 15 miles. This section takes triathletes along the shores of Gunlock Reservoir, past black basalt rock formations and ancient cinder cones and through the town of Gunlock as they climb toward one of the most challenging sections of the course. Gunlock residents can view the race on Gunlock Drive. The best location will be near the aid station at the north end of town. No outside traffic will be allowed.
Veyo (Bike) (locals only)
One of the signature climbs on the course is the switchback on Gunlock Road that locals call “The Wall,” which climbs 251 feet up the side of the canyon at a 6-12% grade, covering just less than a mile. The view of cyclists climbing the cut in the side of the mountain can be both intimidating and inspiring. From Veyo, local residents can walk to a viewing location here or view the race from the corner of Center Street and SR-18.
However you decide to watch the race, make sure you cheer loudly for each athlete. Make them feel welcome to St. George.
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