St. George Marathon
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Elevation Gain
450m
Elevation Range
764m
Avg Temperature
55°F / 13°C
Course Profile
downhill
Course Map & Elevation
Course Overview
A massive net-downhill, point-to-point course dropping 760m from Pine Valley (1600m) to downtown St. George (840m), with 450m of total climbing including the notorious Veyo Hill. One of the fastest BQ courses in the US, but 'downhill' does not mean 'easy' — the relentless eccentric pounding destroys unprepared quads.
Key Segments
Pine Valley Descent to Veyo
Terrain: Moderate descent from 1600m to 1378m through the Pine Valley area. Grades of 2-4%
Challenge: The early downhill tempts aggressive splits. But Veyo Hill is coming, and anyone who goes out too fast pays double on that climb
Tactic: Run 10-15 sec/km slower than goal pace. Short stride, controlled cadence. Save your quads. The race does not start until Veyo.
Veyo Hill
Terrain: The course's signature climb, gaining ~60m from 1378m to 1440m over 2.5km. The only significant uphill on the course
Challenge: Veyo punishes everyone who went out too fast. It is a gut-check that separates smart racers from aggressive ones
Tactic: Shorten stride, increase cadence, run by effort. Power-hike if needed. Crest Veyo knowing 28km of descent awaits. This is where the race begins.
Veyo Crest through Snow Canyon
Terrain: Sustained steep descent from 1440m to 930m through red rock canyons and Snow Canyon. Grades of 3-6%
Challenge: This 16km stretch is where you make your time, but the steep descent (especially Snow Canyon km 24-30) accumulates devastating quad damage
Tactic: Control the descent. Do not overstride. Aim for goal pace or 5-10 sec/km faster, no more. Lean forward slightly, land midfoot. Take in the stunning red rock scenery.
The Wall and St. George Finish
Terrain: Brief uphill at km 30-32 ('The Wall', gaining ~18m), then gradual descent and flattening into St. George (948m to 840m)
Challenge: The Wall at km 30-32 feels enormous on shredded quads. The final 10km are flat but your legs are destroyed from 30km of downhill pounding
Tactic: Prepare mentally for The Wall — it is not steep, but it arrives at the worst possible moment. After cresting, settle into a steady push through Dixie Drive and downtown.
Race-Specific Training
- •Begin dedicated eccentric quad training at least 10 weeks out: long downhill repeats of 1-2km at 6-8% grade, heavy eccentric squats and lunges, and weekly runs on sustained descents
- •Run at least two long runs of 25-30km on a sustained downhill route to simulate the relentless eccentric loading and practice your fueling strategy under downhill stress
- •Do specific heat acclimation training for 2-3 weeks before race day, as the 15-20°C temperature swing from start to finish means you race the final third in much warmer conditions
Conditions & Environment
Altitude
Start at 1600m (5250 ft), finish at 840m (2750 ft). The mild altitude at the start can affect runners unaccustomed to elevation. Arrive 2-3 days early if possible.
Weather
Early October. Start temps 5-10°C (40-50°F) at 1600m. Finish temps 18-25°C (64-77°F) in St. George. The 15-20°C swing is the defining weather challenge.
Sun & Wind
Desert sun exposure increases as you descend. Snow Canyon section can have crosswinds. The final 10km in St. George are fully exposed to sun and heat.
What to Wear
Throwaway warm layers at the Pine Valley start — you will wait 30-60 minutes in cold conditions. Dress for the finish temperature underneath: light singlet and shorts. Arm sleeves optional for the first 10km.
Pacing Strategy
| Segment | Pace | Note |
|---|---|---|
| km 0-11.5 | 10-15 sec/km slower than goal pace | Bank energy for Veyo. The early downhill is not free. |
| km 11.5-14 | 15-30 sec/km slower than goal pace (effort-based) | Veyo Hill. Run by effort. Accept the slow splits. Crest it and the reward begins. |
| km 14-30 | Goal pace or 5-10 sec/km faster | The money section. Sustained descent through Snow Canyon. Control the grade — do not overstride. |
| km 30-42.195 | Goal pace, steady effort | Survive The Wall at km 30-32, then push through the flat finish into St. George. This is where downhill training pays off. |
Race Day Tip
Your muscles burn glycogen differently under eccentric stress. Practice your exact nutrition plan on long downhill training runs — what works on flat courses may not work here. Many runners bonk in the final 10km not from effort but from inadequate fueling during the descent.
Race details subject to change. Verify with the official race website.
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