When is the St. George Marathon 2026? Quick Answer
The 2026 St. George Marathon is Saturday, October 3, 2026, with the marathon, half marathon, and Mayor's Walk all starting at 7:00 a.m. The City of St. George is billing this year's race as its 50th. The race course closes to traffic at 6:00 a.m. and the event closes at 2:15 p.m., when roads reopen behind the last runners. The expo is Friday, October 2, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Dixie Convention Center, and the finish line is at Vernon Worthen Park downtown.
| Race | Day & Start | Start Location |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon (26.2 mi) | Sat, Oct 3 · 7:00 a.m. | Pine Valley Mountains near Central (buses from Vernon Worthen Park) |
| Half Marathon | Sat, Oct 3 · 7:00 a.m. | Diamond Valley (buses from Sandtown Park, 600 N Bluff St) |
| Mayor's Walk | Sat, Oct 3 · 7:00 a.m. | Washington County School District Office, 121 W Tabernacle St |
| 5K | Fri, Oct 2 · early evening | Vernon Worthen Park |
| Fun Run | Fri, Oct 2 · 5:00 p.m. | Downtown St. George |
Times are from the City of St. George's 2026 race pages. The city lists the 5K at 5:30 p.m. on its event schedule and 6:00 p.m. on the 5K page, so confirm with your registration email.
2026 St. George Marathon Weekend Schedule
Friday, October 2
- 7:00 a.m. Shake-out run, sponsored by St. George Running Center
- 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. St. George Marathon Expo and packet pickup at the Dixie Convention Center, 1835 S Convention Center Dr. This is where runners collect their bib and runner packet.
- 5:00 p.m. Fun Run
- 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Party in the Park
- Early evening 5K at Vernon Worthen Park
Saturday, October 3 (Race Day)
- 3:45 to 5:15 a.m. Bus loading. Runners board at their assigned time slot, which is based on bib number.
- 6:00 a.m. Race course closed to traffic
- 6:50 a.m. Deadline to drop clothing bags at the start
- 7:00 a.m. Marathon, half marathon, and Mayor's Walk start
- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Post-race massage
- 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Clothing bag pickup
- 10:00 a.m. Half marathon awards
- 11:00 a.m. Marathon awards
- 2:15 p.m. Race closes
- 4:45 p.m. Legacy Club Banquet
St. George Marathon Road Closures: What Drivers Should Expect
Nearly 8,000 people were expected at last year's race, and the traffic impact stretches from Central, more than 20 miles north, all the way to downtown St. George. The marathon course follows State Route 18 south out of Central, past Veyo and the Snow Canyon area, then drops down Diagonal Street to 300 West and through downtown to the finish at Vernon Worthen Park. From start to finish, the course falls nearly 2,600 feet.
The city posts the final closure list during race week. If 2026 follows last year's plan, expect the following:
- Two days before the race (Thursday): 300 South closes near the finish area for setup. Traffic control starts on SR-18 in Central, and 8500 North in Diamond Valley closes between SR-18 and Blake Gubler Road for the half marathon start.
- The day before (Friday): More downtown blocks around the finish close to all but local traffic, including parts of 300 South, 300 East, and 400 East.
- Race morning (Saturday): Closures start around 3 a.m., and the whole course is closed by 6 a.m. Every street that reaches the route, from SR-18 in Central down Diagonal Street through 200 East, is blocked. Last year, Diagonal Street between 630 West and Bluff Street was closed from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Reopening: Roads reopen section by section as the last runners go through. Last year, traffic was back to normal by about 2 p.m.
Driving downtown Saturday morning? Use 700 South or Riverside Drive to get east and west, and stay off Bluff Street, Diagonal Street, and SR-18 until early afternoon. If you live in Central, Veyo, Winchester Hills, or Diamond Valley, plan to leave before 6 a.m. or after the course clears. If you're heading to church near the Tabernacle, note that the Mayor's Walk closes Tabernacle Street at 7 a.m.
Check the City of St. George marathon page before you drive. It is the official source for 2026 closures.
Where to Watch the St. George Marathon
Most spectators pick one of three places, and they are easier to reach than the high-desert miles at the top of the course:
- The finish at Vernon Worthen Park. This is the busiest spot, with the finish chute, awards, and family meet-up areas all in one place. Park a few blocks away and walk in, because the streets around the park are closed.
- Diagonal Street and downtown. The last few miles drop off the bluff into town, so runners are strung out and easy to spot. The stretch along 300 West and through downtown makes for good sign-holding.
- Snow Canyon Parkway and SR-18. This is the course cutoff checkpoint, at mile 23.1 for the marathon and mile 10 for the half, which runners must reach by 1:15 p.m. It's a good place to catch runners before the final push. Arrive before the 6 a.m. closure, or come in from a side street that isn't blocked.
Bring water, sun protection, and a jacket. Early October mornings in St. George are often cool at the start and warm by midday.
Tips for Runners and Visiting Families
- Book dinner early. Friday night downtown is packed. Our best restaurants in St. George list includes plenty of places for a pasta dinner the night before.
- Plan recovery. The race offers post-race massage from 9 a.m. to noon. For the days after, browse spas and massage in St. George or the sports medicine listings in our directory.
- Stay for the week. The Huntsman World Senior Games start October 5. The Kayenta Art Festival in Ivins is October 9-11, and Zion National Park is about an hour away. Our St. George to Zion guide covers the drive.
- Keep running. The Snow Canyon Half Marathon on November 14 is next on the local calendar. See every race in our Southern Utah half marathons 2026 guide and on the running and marathons page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What date is the 2026 St. George Marathon?
Saturday, October 3, 2026. The marathon, half marathon, and Mayor's Walk start at 7:00 a.m., and the 5K and Fun Run are Friday evening, October 2.
What roads are closed for the St. George Marathon?
On race morning, SR-18 from Central to St. George, Diagonal Street, and the downtown streets leading to the finish at Vernon Worthen Park are closed from about 6:00 a.m. Setup closures around 300 South and in Diamond Valley start two days earlier. Roads reopen as the last runners pass, and the race closes at 2:15 p.m.
Where is the St. George Marathon expo and packet pickup?
At the Dixie Convention Center, 1835 S Convention Center Dr, on Friday, October 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where does the St. George Marathon finish?
At Vernon Worthen Park in downtown St. George, at 300 South and 400 East.
Where do St. George Marathon buses leave from?
Marathon buses load at Vernon Worthen Park and half marathon buses load at Sandtown Park, 600 N Bluff St. Both load between 3:45 and 5:15 a.m., and runners board by assigned time slot.
Sources
- City of St. George: 2026 St. George Marathon event schedule
- City of St. George: Marathon information and half marathon information
- City of St. George: Mayor's Walk
- St George News: 2025 marathon road closures and traffic impacts
Last updated September 26, 2026. We'll update this page when the city publishes the final 2026 closure list.
