Desert Dash Running Club

Desert Dash Running Club — Community Running in St. George, Utah

Desert Dash Running Club is a community-based running organization in St. George, Utah, bringing together runners of all abilities for group runs, structured training programs, trail running adventures, social events, and the mutual support that transforms individual running into a shared experience. Southern Utah offers exceptional running conditions for much of the year — mild winters, scenic desert landscapes, a growing network of paved paths and trails, and the dramatic backdrop of red rock formations that make every run feel like an event. Desert Dash Running Club leverages these natural advantages to build a running community that motivates members to train consistently, set ambitious goals, and enjoy the social and physical benefits that come from running with others who share the same passion.

Group Runs and Weekly Schedule

The club organizes multiple weekly group runs that cater to different paces, distances, and running preferences. Morning road runs depart from central meeting points in St. George and follow established routes along the city's bike paths, through neighborhoods, and along scenic corridors that showcase the area's natural beauty. Evening trail runs explore the network of trails that surround St. George, including routes through the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, Pioneer Park, the Owens Loop system, and seasonal trails that take advantage of cooler evening temperatures during the warmer months. Each group run is organized with pace leaders who maintain specific speeds, allowing runners to self-select into groups that match their current fitness level — from comfortable conversational-pace joggers to competitive runners pushing sub-seven-minute miles. The social nature of group runs is a primary draw, with many members citing the friendships formed during thousands of shared miles as the most valuable aspect of club membership. For more fitness and recreation options in the area, check out the things to do in Southern Utah directory.

Marathon and Race Training Programs

Desert Dash Running Club offers structured training programs designed to prepare members for specific race goals, including half-marathon and full marathon training cycles that build fitness progressively over 12 to 20 weeks. These programs provide weekly training plans that include easy runs, tempo runs, interval workouts, long runs, and rest days, organized according to proven training methodologies that balance training stress with recovery to minimize injury risk while maximizing race-day performance. The St. George Marathon — one of the most popular marathons in the western United States, known for its fast, net-downhill course and stunning red rock scenery — serves as the anchor event that many members train toward each year. The club's training programs account for the specific challenges of training in the desert climate, including heat management strategies, hydration protocols, and seasonal adjustments that ensure safe and effective training throughout the year. Coaches and experienced members provide mentorship to newer runners navigating the demands of distance training for the first time.

Trail Running Community

Trail running has become an increasingly popular focus within Desert Dash Running Club, reflecting the broader growth of trail running nationally and the exceptional trail access that Southern Utah provides. The club organizes regular trail running meetups that range from easy-paced introductory trail runs on smooth, well-maintained paths to challenging technical runs on rocky desert singletrack and steep canyon trails. The red rock landscape surrounding St. George offers terrain diversity that road running cannot match — technical rocky descents that demand focus, sandy washes that build strength, steep climbs that develop power, and the ever-changing scenery that makes trail miles feel shorter than their road equivalents. Trail running meetups also serve an important safety function, as running in groups reduces the risks associated with remote trail running in the desert, where hazards including heat exposure, navigation challenges, and encounters with wildlife are real considerations.

Social Events and Community Building

Beyond the running itself, Desert Dash Running Club hosts social events, post-run breakfasts, volunteer opportunities at local races, educational workshops on topics like nutrition, injury prevention, and running form, and the community-building activities that transform a group of individual runners into a genuine community. Monthly social events provide opportunities for members to connect outside of running, while volunteer support at local races — including aid station staffing, course marshaling, and finish line support — gives back to the broader running community that makes St. George one of Utah's premier running destinations. New members are actively welcomed regardless of pace or experience, and the club's inclusive culture ensures that the back-of-the-pack runner training for a first 5K receives the same encouragement and community support as the front-runner chasing a Boston Marathon qualifying time. Those looking for running gear can visit the local restaurants for post-run refueling spots in St. George.