Your Guide to Fall Events in Greater Zion

1. 01

   The heat breaks 

2. 02

   The calendar fills up with experiences you want to add to your memory bank.

Between late September and mid-November, events in Greater Zion feature a week-long off-road celebration, a marathon’s 50th anniversary, a PGA TOUR stop, the world’s largest games for athletes over fifty, freeride mountain biking’s biggest stage, and high school mountain bike races at a brand-new trail park.

Here’s what makes this fall truly unique: For four days in early October, four premier events — Trail Hero, the St. George Marathon, the PGA TOUR’s Bank of Utah Championship, and Huntsman World Senior Games — overlap in the same stretch of southwest Utah.

1. Thursday, October 1

   Arrive in time for the first night of the Trail Hero Amplified, a music festival at Legacy Park in Hurricane. Gates open early, and headliners take the stage around 7 PM.

2. Friday, October 2

   Spend the morning at Black Desert Resort watching the PGA TOUR for the Bank of Utah Championship. Then, when you’re tired of whispering, head back out to Legacy Park to sing and dance at night two of Trail Hero Amplified.

3. Saturday, October 3

   Get to downtown St. George early to participate in the St. George Marathon. Well, not the whole marathon, but the Mayor’s Walk. It’s one mile, and you get to cross the official marathon finish line. Afterward, hang around VernonWorthen Park to join the crowd energy as the first athletes complete the race. In the afternoon, slip out to Zion National Park to explore the canyon, or stay in St. George and catch the UT Tech vs SUU rivalry football game in Greater Zion Stadium.

4. Sunday, October 4

   Watch the PGA TOUR pros compete in the final round of the Bank of Utah Championship, then trade the grandstands for a trail. Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is a short drive away, and there are trails that fit every adventure profile. 
   

   If you’re searching for an evening activity, consider stopping by the 2026 Cauldron Lighting Ceremony for the Huntsman Senior World Games at 7:30 PM on the front lawn of the Dixie Convention Center. It’s free to attend and a fun way to close out your weekend. 

Not every week this fall centers on a starting line. Tuacahn Center for the Arts keeps its musical lineup running through October 24, with Finding Nemo, Les Misérables, and Grease being performed under the stars. When those shows close, Odyssey Dance Theatre’s Thriller takes over during Halloween week.

If you’re visiting during one of the quieter stretches between events, pair an evening show at Tuacahn with a full day on the trails. Snow Canyon, Sand Hollow, Quail Creek, and Zion National Park all offer terrain and scenery that hold up with or without events happening nearby.

These events in Greater Zion bring big energy. The trails and canyons are still there the next morning, as calm as they’ve always been. That contrast, more than any single event, is what makes fall in Greater Zion worth the trip.

Find More events

What’s happening while you’re here?

Check the Greater Zion Events Calendar

There are plenty of places to celebrate America’s 250th birthday this July 4th. You could squeeze shoulder-to-shoulder into a historic city for a parade, rousing speeches, and impressive fireworks displays. Or you could celebrate somewhere that already feels unmistakably American the other 364 days of the year.

In Southwest Utah, patriotism doesn’t get unpacked once a year like attic decorations. It lives in Friday night rodeos, tractors rolling past red rock cliffs, and small-town festivals where the pie contest thrives.

This is a place where the West still feels wonderfully, wildly real.

And that’s what makes Greater Zion such a fitting place for America’s 250th anniversary. The ideas people celebrate on the Fourth of July still feel connected to everyday life here: resilience, independence, community, hard work, and a deep love for the land itself.

Not in a history-book way.

In a lived way.

In true Utah fashion, the nickname stuck.

Today, the city of St. George still bears his name, though thankfully, visitors can experience the region with considerably fewer survival potatoes involved. 

The towns that settlers carved out of the desert have been throwing parties ever since. You notice it fast once summer rolls around. 

Pioneer Day celebrations where entire towns spill into the streets. Peach Days in Hurricane, where locals somehow turn peaches into every dessert, drink, syrup, and pastry the human mind can devise. You bite into a peach fritter and understand immediately why this town has done this for decades.

Then there’s Swiss Days in Santa Clara, Cotton Days in Washington, the Washington County Fair, and farmers’ markets where someone hands you fruit that was probably on a tree yesterday morning.

Many destinations recreate Americana for visitors. Greater Zion simply lives it. Nowhere is that more obvious than in a rodeo arena. 

Washington County rodeos run nearly year-round, and each one carries its own story.

The Washington County Fair Rodeo opens the season in April at Legacy Park in Hurricane, two nights of Rocky Mountain Professional Rodeo Association action tucked inside one of the region’s most beloved community traditions. 

The Enterprise Rodeo arrives in late July 23 – 25, a three-night amateur event that has drawn cowboys and crowds since the early 1900s and still packs 6,500 people into the mountain air around Pioneer Day. 

Then in September, the Dixie Roundup closes out the season in St. George at the historic Sunbowl, now in its 92nd year, PRCA-approved and loud with local pride.

At each one, the crowd knows when to cheer before the announcer tells them to. Nothing about it feels staged. This isn’t the Wild West gift shop version of cowboy culture. It’s the real thing: dusty boots, local pride, kids climbing arena rails, and a National Anthem that still quiets an entire stadium.

If you time your visit right, the Gunlock Rodeo runs July 2 – 4, which means you can catch opening night under the cottonwood trees and still make it to a concert by the Fourth. 

In Greater Zion, even your downtime tends to come with canyon walls attached. Spend the day hiking through Zion National Park or lounging on a reservoir’s crystal clear water. Then trade hiking boots or swimsuits for concert lights once the desert air starts to cool.

This Independence Day, Greater Zion is celebrating America’s 250th birthday in two ways:

In Springdale, at the doorstep of Zion National Park, the Zion Forever Project presents Red Rock Blue Sky at the O.C. Tanner Amphitheater. Luke Grimes, known to many as Kayce Dutton from Yellowstone, will perform live beneath towering canyon walls in one of the most dramatic settings imaginable. Proceeds support Zion National Park.

Meanwhile, in St. George, Greater Zion Stadium lights up with 99.9 KONY Country’s Fourth of July Celebration featuring Russell Dickerson and the region’s largest fireworks show.

Two concerts. One county. A Fourth of July with red sand under its boots.

Two hundred and fifty years in, it’s worth asking what it actually means to celebrate America. Not the ceremony of it, but the feeling.

It’s open roads and canyon light. It’s a peach handed to you by the person who grew it. It’s a rodeo that started to honor veterans and never stopped. It’s fireworks over a stadium, and music under canyon walls, and a sky so full of stars that the dark between them seems alive.

Come be part of it.

Check out everything you can do while you’re here in Greater Zion, and make your July 4th plan.

As autumn breezes into Southwest Utah, the lower temperatures transform Greater Zion into a stage for high-adrenaline exploits and professional competition. With cooler temperatures, vibrant landscapes, and a packed event calendar, this is one of the best times of the year to visit.

From roaring off-road vehicles to the precision of pro golfers, here are six Greater Zion events that you’ll want on your October itinerary.

1. Trail Hero

📅 September 29 – October 4, 2025 | Hurricane, Utah

Buckle up! October kicks off with The Monster Energy Trail Hero Powered by Greater Zion. This off-roading event is as much about community as it is about adventure. But Trail Hero is more than horsepower; it’s heart. According to Rich Klein, President of The Trail Hero, this event “focuses on how to help support the needs of our Veterans and giving disabled veterans, special needs children, and special needs adults access to public lands.” 

Adding to the excitement, The Trail Hero Music Fest returns October 2 – 4 at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Hurricane, Utah. Nightly concerts begin at 7 PM, and country star Rodney Atkins headlines on Saturday night. Trail Hero is about off roading by day and enjoying live music at night.

2. St. George Marathon

📅 October 4, 2025 | St. George, Utah

One of the most beloved marathons in the country, the St. George Marathon attracts thousands of runners every October. Rated by Runner’s World as a “Marathon to Build a Vacation Around,”  and USA Today Top 10 Readers’ Choice Award as the “3rd Best Marathon in the Nation.” This race begins in the high mountains of Pine Valley and winds downhill into the heart of St. George. 

Even if you’re not chasing a record, the electric atmosphere, supportive crowds, and perfect fall running weather make it an unforgettable experience. Spectators can line the streets to cheer on the participants. The finish-line festival is a celebration you don’t want to miss.

3. Huntsman World Senior Games

📅 October 6 – 18, 2025 | Greater Zion

The world’s largest multi-sport event for athletes 50 and older calls Greater Zion home each fall. With competitors traveling from over 30 countries, the Huntsman World Senior Games brings together more than 11,000 participants across 40+ sports, from archery and swimming to soccer and even square dancing. The Opening Ceremonies on October 4th are a can’t-miss spectacle, filled with pageantry, music, and fireworks. Beyond the competition, the games promote health and friendship, while showcasing the this Greater Zion event in a stunning natural arena.

4. Red Bull Rampage

📅 October 16 & 18, 2025 | Virgin, Utah

If adrenaline is your thing, mark your calendar for Red Bull Rampage, the Super Bowl of freeride mountain biking. The event is so legendary that fans from across the globe travel here to watch athletes redefine gravity. 

Set against the rugged cliffs and mesas of Virgin, Utah, this event pushes the limits of what’s possible on two wheels. Riders carve, flip, and drop down some of the most extreme terrain on Earth. The world’s top females will compete on October 16th, followed by the males on October 18th. Only the bravest walk away with the coveted Rampage trophy. 

5. Bank of Utah Championship (PGA Tour)

📅 October 23 – 26, 2025 | Ivins, Utah

Golf fans, get ready — the PGA Tour is back in Greater Zion for its second year! After making history in 2024 as the first PGA Tour event in Utah in nearly six decades, The Bank of Utah Championship (formally the Black Desert Championship) returns to Black Desert Resort. 

The par-72 course, co-designed by Phil Smith and the late Tom Weiskopf (his final masterpiece before being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame), winds dramatically through ancient lava flows and desert cliffs. The result? One of the most scenic and distinctive courses in the PGA Tour lineup. From lifelong golfers to fans who enjoy a world-class sporting event, the Bank of Utah Championship is an experience you will want to witness.

6. 2025 USPSA Nationals

📅October 24 – 26, 2025 (pre-match October 22 – 23, 2025) | Hurricane, UT

The USPSA Nationals return to Southwest Utah, bringing together some of the best shooters in the country for a week of skill, speed, and precision. This premier competition challenges participants across various stages, each designed to test accuracy and focus in exciting ways. Competitors and spectators alike will enjoy the impressive skills and the strong sense of camaraderie that make this Greater Zion event truly special.

Plan Your October Adventure

With sunny days, cool evenings, and landscapes painted in coal black, burnt orange, and golden yellow, October is the perfect time to attend a Greater Zion event. Whether you’re here to cheer on world-class athletes or soak up the awe-inspiring vistas, there’s something unforgettable waiting for you. Start planning your trip today with a visitor guide. 

For more details about notable events in Greater Zion, check out our calendar or contact local event organizers using one of the links above.

Move the body, still the mind – that’s how the saying goes. But does it work vice versa? In our humble opinion, it should. After an intense competition, your mind needs to recover just as much as your body, and there is no better way to recharge than completing your active recovery in the footsteps of past competitors among some of nature’s most majestic wonders.

Greater Zion is a hub for those with persistent spirits and enduring athleticism. IRONMAN World Championships and annual North American Championships, the world-renowned and long-standing St. George Marathon, Huntsman World Senior Games and more attract champions from near and far to conquer our rolling red rock courses. 

You know that feeling you get when you cross the finish line? You’re exhausted, but at the same time, you’ve never felt more awake. There are a few aches and pains that always accompany a race well-run, but you don’t mind. The adrenaline has you feeling like you’re on top of the world. 

As you stand at the peak of the mountain, you let gratitude sweep over you. You reflect on all the work you put in that brought you to this moment – your moment. You did it. You’ve done something you should be proud of. 

We encourage you to stay in that champion mindset a bit longer. Bask in the glory of your accomplishment. Honor the mental and physical fortitude you have built with the perfect combination of active recovery celebration. You’ve earned it. 

Round out your race with a square meal

We bet you worked up an appetite. Luckily, you can have your cake and eat it too with a large selection of eateries ranging from casual dives to fine dining. Refueling has never tasted this good. Check out a place that is uniquely Greater Zion.

Raise a glass to “Finished at Last!”

Greater Zion offers several locations to enjoy everything from a locally crafted microbrew to a full bar with cocktail selections. Raise a glass to celebrate an amazing feat at one of several great spots within walking distance of the finish line or beyond. Cheers to your accomplishments!

Satisfy and gratify with a sweet treat

If you don’t want to toast with a cocktail or glass of champagne, Greater Zion also provides several other options for catching a buzz or even a simple sugar rush with dirty sodas, great coffee and a wide variety of delectable desserts. 

Go with the flow

Let water soothe your weary muscles and calm your entire body. Float in one of the area’s reservoirs such as Gunlock or Quail Creek State Park. Just off the St. George Marathon course and the IRONMAN bike route is Veyo Pool – another great water option, offering an ideal spot for the whole family to chill by the pool and catch crawdads in the creek. 

If you want to do more than just recharge in the water, Sand Hollow State Park has plenty of more active offerings, including scuba diving – yes, scuba in the desert! – and wakeboarding or boating. Or, opt for a gas-powered 4×4 vehicle and take on Sand Mountain, one of the most popular UTV locations in the desert southwest, offering more than 16,000 acres of perfectly sculpted dunes. 

Work out some tension

If a little pampering is necessary, Greater Zion is home to several day spas that specialize in massages, facials, wraps and general rejuvenation. After a peak performance like that, you deserve it, and your body will thank you too. 

Recap your race route

Revisit iconic elements of our world-famous races that you might have missed just passing through. It’ll be much less intense this way, so you can really soak in the scenery and bring along your friends and family. 

Have a full-cycle moment

Pedal on red rock instead of pavement to experience one of the most popular adventures in Greater Zion – mountain biking. Greater Zion offers more than 40 mountain biking trails across desert, urban, mesa and alpine landscapes, as well as the only year-round bike park in Utah. Epic vistas keep riders inspired while slickrock, canyons and sandstone formations offer technical challenges that provide an unforgettable biking experience. 

If you want to give your legs a break, take to an ebike (or remount your road bike, if you’re ready) and bike your way to Snow Canyon State Park, the iconic portion of the IRONMAN 70.3 and IRONMAN bike routes or any of the other trails provide you other-worldly scenery. Or, you can shift gears to more low-key pursuits, like exploring on foot or horseback.

After finally conquering the Land of Endurance, you can revel in your achievement and rest easy. No matter where you go in Greater Zion or how active your rest is, you’ll be sure to find something revitalizing, relaxing or a combination of both in the Land of Renewal.

Original IRONMAN St. George Champion Heather Wurtele reflects on the sport, Greater Zion and life after being a pro triathlete

In 2009, Heather Wurtele and her husband Trevor committed fulltime to the sport of long-course triathlon. They bought an R.V. and traveled North America to train and race, including long stints staying in the Greater Zion area. Until retiring in 2019, the Wurteles were a dominate force in the sport. Heather’s success includes securing the gold at the first-ever IRONMAN St. George in 2010 as well as being a seven-time IRONMAN champion, a 25-time IRONMAN 70.3 champion and securing spots on four World Championship podiums. Since 2020, the couple have been endurance coaches training triathletes through their venture, TeamWurtele.

Heather agreed to a written interview, sharing her impressions of Greater Zion and IRONMAN triathlons in the area. Please note that answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

As someone who has competed in the area a good bit, were you surprised to see Greater Zion host three IRONMAN world championship events in 13 months or did you see hints and possibilities of a world championship course from the start?

Heather Wurtele: That’s a lot of IRONMAN events in a short period of time, but if any community would be up for it, I feel like it’s Greater Zion! Honestly, the inaugural full IRONMAN back in 2010 was so well run, and had such amazing volunteer and community support, it felt like a championship venue even then. I always loved the vibe and the challenge of the course – I mean we do these things because they’re hard, right? – so I was really excited to see Greater Zion host the World Champs. I wish I would have had that opportunity before I retired in 2019!

What are some of your personal “bests” from St. George? You have a long list of accomplishments from the area, but are there any that you’re particularly proud of? 

HW: It’s hard enough to win an IRONMAN or an IRONMAN 70.3, but it’s even harder to repeat wins, so I’m probably most proud of defending my IRONMAN title in 2011 with challenging (hot! windy!) conditions and then winning the IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship for the second year in a row in 2016 with challenging (cold! rainy!) conditions and super tough competition. 

Is there anything about Greater Zion that you think has helped you find success here?

HW: My husband and I lived full-time out of our R.V., for six years at the start of our triathlon careers, and Greater Zion initially appealed to us because there were lots of great, affordable, places to camp and really good training infrastructure – the bike paths, run trails, and swimming options seem to have improved every year! We also really like the terrain, landscape and climate. I’ve always preferred hard IRONMAN courses, and as a very tall athlete with a high sweat rate, desert environments, where my sweat actually evaporates to cool me down effectively, definitely gives me a performance advantage.

You’ve raced in the area quite a bit. Are there certain portions of the course in Greater Zion that are particularly memorable/legendary for you? If so, what are those portions and why? 

HW: The orange sand out at Sand Hollow and the sandstone formations in contrast with black lava flows throughout the area, notably on the climb through Snow Canyon, are so beautiful! I really find the desert terrain uniquely awe-inspiring and this seems to give me a boost both in training and on race day. 

At times you’ve both noted that you like “hard” IRONMAN courses. What sets these courses apart for you? 

HW: I think that super-hot and humid courses are hard (i.e., Malaysia, Kona) but not in a way that I like! The kind of hard courses that appeal to me are ones with challenging terrain. That is [courses] where you are not limited by physiological factors and have to pace to avoid heat stroke, but rather where you can fully express your fitness by giving it all you’ve got, nose in the wind, all day! 

I also think that harder, hilly courses, especially on the bike, are also more fair from a drafting and officiating standpoint. You can’t simply tuck in at 12 meters* and hang on when courses are dynamic with lots of climbing so people get to the run with more equally tired legs. 

(*Per the IRONMAN Official Competition Rules, drafting during the race is prohibited. The bicycle draft zone is considered 12 meters and competitors must remain outside this zone, except when passing.)

Can you tell us what you think the top five hardest IRONMAN courses are? 

HW: IRONMAN Wales, IRONMAN Lanzarote, IRONMAN St. George, IRONMAN Canada Whistler and IRONMAN UK.

You’ve noted that you lived in St. George in your R.V. four months out of the year to train. How many years did you do that?

HW: Some years our coach had training camps in other places but we stayed in the area – Hurricane, Leeds, St. George – for extended periods from 2011 to 2019.

During your time living in the area, did you develop any favorite activities? 

HW: Our activities were always training-focused! 

Favorites include:

• Open water swimming in Sand Hollow or Quail Creek Reservoirs
• Riding all the way up Kolob Road on the west edge of Zion National Park to the reservoir.
• Doing big-gravel bike loops up Mesa and Smith Mesa Road and down Kolob Road; around Red Cliffs Desert reserve from St. George to Silver Reef and Leeds; and out west from Bearclaw Poppy through to Old US 91 via Apex Mine, West Mountain and Bulldog Pass roads. 
• Running the upper JEM Trail and Hurricane Rim, Prospector Trail in Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and the West Canyon Trail in Snow Canyon. And, of course, all of the paved Virgin River trails and Mayor’s Loop in town. 

Do you have any favorite Great Zion area restaurants, coffee shops, hiking trails, etc.? 

HW: River Rock Roasting Company in La Verkin is a big favorite for coffee and baked goods then pizza, salad and beer. Black Bear Diner for “the Grizz” if we needed a massive breakfast after a big training weekend. IBB Cyclery and Multisport and the St. George Running Center were our go-to shops. Angels Landing is a must-do hike in Zion, but only if you’re not afraid of heights! 

What makes Greater Zion a good place to train for a triathlon? 

HW: For us, a big thing that makes Greater Zion a great training destination is the cycling infrastructure. When you spend as many hours on the bike as IRONMAN athletes need to, it’s critical to have a variety of roads where you feel safe cycling. The nice highways with big shoulders, quiet backroads and the many cycling/multi-use paths all around St. George are all awesome! 

The running and swimming options are fantastic too. The water fountains along the Virgin River Trail and around the Mayor’s Loop are lifesavers for long run days, and it is great to have so many indoor and outdoor pools to choose from. The climate in the area makes it a perfect training destination in early spring and late fall for people from colder, snowy places too.

Heather, you’ve noted that the West Canyon Trail in Snow Canyon is one of your all-time favorite training run locations. Can you tell us why? Any other local training favorites? 

HW: I have done SO MANY hard mile repeats and long runs up the West Canyon Trail and I never got sick of it! The surroundings with the huge sandstone cliffs are beautiful, the gravel surface is great for fast running (lower impact than asphalt), and you have a good long, gradual uphill/downhill which is great for hard efforts and strength. Washrooms and water at the trailhead come in handy too.

If a friend was visiting Greater Zion and asked you for tips/advice on the area, what would you recommend to them? 

HW: All of the above! Ha. I have definitely directed people HERE and to Trailforks to get a handle on all of the great trails in the area. The Utah Tech University Human Performance Center wasn’t built yet when we were in the area, but it looks amazing. 

Are there any particular ways you’ve been made to feel welcomed in the Greater Zion community over the years? 

HW: Honestly, just hearing “Hey, it’s the Wurteles!” and getting waved at by people while we were out training was always so nice. The whole community spirit around the race and people’s willingness to volunteer and get involved was always pretty special. 

What is your favorite Greater Zion memory? 

HW: Too many to choose from! I always loved the big posters of past winners in the expo every year.

What motivates (or motivated) you to participate in IRONMAN and triathlon events? How do you use that motivation in everyday life? 

HW: We were always motivated by the challenge to be the best we could be. There were so many different elements to master in triathlon and it was a continual learning process. It was always rewarding, but it took a lot of hard work! Knowing that “doing hard things” requires patience, but brings a lot of meaningful satisfaction, is a very useful life lesson.

Many people are familiar with your well-known racing results, but if we asked your friends and family what you’re legendary for beyond triathlon, what might they say?

HW: I have a forest genetics and plant physiology background and is famous for serving up all sorts of facts about trees, plants, and ecology while doing outdoor stuff.
What passions do you pursue beyond triathlon? 

HW: While we were professional triathletes, we were 100% invested in the sport and life revolved around swimming, biking, running, eating, sleeping … 

Now, we love mountain biking, riding dirt bikes, paddling surf skis, windsurfing, trail running, backpacking, and downhill/cross country/backcountry skiing. Gardening, knitting, woodworking and working on bikes are our relaxing hobbies. 

Sand Mountain is the home of one of the largest off-highway vehicle (OHV) events in the United States as the 7th Annual Trail Hero is set to take place Oct. 3-8 at Sand Hollow State Park. 

“Our event really started seven years ago with the idea of providing motorized access to public lands for people with special needs and veterans,” said Rich Klein, founder of Trail Hero. “The event also raises awareness on the importance of advocating for public lands and continuing to provide access for people such as wounded warriors and children and adults with special needs who may have difficulty getting to some of the beautiful places in southern Utah. Over the last six years, we’ve provided access to more than 1,000 special needs riders and over 4,000 veterans.”

This year, Klein expects have more than 500 veterans and approximately 40 local children from Valley Academy Charter School and Red Rock Center for Independence participate in Trail Hero. More than $120,000 in charitable proceeds were raised in 2021 with funds benefitting organizations such as the BlueRibbonCoalition, Utah 4 Wheel Drive Association, Hero For a Day, 4Wheel to Heal and more. 

Besides direct benefit to individuals and organizations, the event generated more than $12 million in economic impact to Washington County last year and attracted attendees from 49 states and countries such as Canada, Mexico, Israel and Japan. This year, event organizers are expecting a record 4,500 off-road vehicles and 33,000 people. 

The main focus of the event is a series of guided trail rides for anyone who has a four-wheel vehicle such as a Jeep, ATVs, rock crawlers and more to experience Sand Mountain. Veterans and people with special needs participate in these drives to experience the beauty of the mountain and access a part of Southern Utah that might not be as easy to experience. 

Beyond trail rides, the event includes a golf tournament, music festival, rock crawl event, celebrations and more – all staged around Sand Mountain, which offers more than 15,000 acres of perfectly sculpted dunes, legendary trails and technical rockcrawling. The music festival is new this year, a demonstration of how Klein and his team continually look for ways to enhance the event. Trail Hero Music Fest will happen Oct. 6-8, featuring headliners Darryl Worley, Colt Ford and Filter. 

“Events like Trail Hero are an important component to the variety of experiences here and they provide a significant boost in economic impact to our community,” said Kevin Lewis, director of the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office. “Trail Hero brings in visitors from all over the world to experience the beauty of Sand Mountain and Sand Hollow State Park. The event has so many positive attributes, including the personal connections and opportunities it provides for people with special needs and veterans in the region.”

Klein was inspired to start Trail Hero by his experiences on the Rubicon Trail in northern California. “Off roading is a generational activity,” said Klein. “I grew up in the industry and realized that the narrative of keeping lands open for generational purposes was an important issue. I used to work with Disabled Sports USA taking kids on the Rubicon for overnight trips and realized we were taking for granted how these kids could access such a beautiful and difficult-to-reach area. As I got further into the industry, I realized I wanted to impact this community.”

When Klein moved to the area more than two decades ago, he realized he could recreate some of these experiences on Sand Mountain. According to Klein, the off-roading community knew about Sand Mountain, but he saw the opportunity to bring more awareness to all that was happening in the Greater Zion region related to access to and visibility of public lands, while providing a service to people with special needs.  

Trail Hero has also helped a worldwide audience understand and appreciate the vast OHV offerings in the area. Over the event’s seven-year history, OHV-oriented businesses have moved to the region to help support this growing recreational culture. It has become a foundational industry for the economy.

“Since I started Trail Hero, we’ve seen between 20 and 25 different four-wheeling businesses move to the area,” added Klein. “Everything from fabrication shops to racing shops have opened since we started the event. Businesses like Sand Hollow Off Road and Red Desert Off Road are just a few that have opened as the OHV culture has grown over the last few years.”

“Sand Hollow has gotten large enough to sustain and maintain more off-roading businesses,” added Klein. “There was a need for more off-roading businesses and several entrepreneurs relocated to meet this need.” 

“Events like Trail Hero have long-term economic impacts that go well beyond the five-day event,” added Lewis. “Trail Hero is just one example of an event that has inspired businesses to relocate to the region, adding to the economic engine of Washington County through job creation, generation of tax revenues and investment in resources that enhance the quality of life here.”

For information on Trail Hero, visit TheTrailHero.com.

See how and where IRONMAN athletes embrace their time away from the race and explore the place

When visiting a destination as beautiful and dynamic as Greater Zion you take every opportunity to get out and explore. But don’t just take our word for it! This spring, Greater Zion hosted the 2021 IRONMAN World Championship, welcoming thousands of competitors and spectators from around the globe. The athletes and fans showed up for a lot more than race day though! What exactly are you up for when you already have a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run planned? Turns out, a lot!

EXPLORING GREATER ZION’S STATE PARKS

The IRONMAN course takes athletes through large portions of Greater Zion including Snow Canyon State Park and Sand Hollow State Park. On race day, most athletes are a bit more focused on pushing through to the finish line versus enjoying the view though. No surprise that athletes like Lloyd Henry opted to visit the petrified dunes and slot canyons of Snow Canyon State Park on a non-race day to better appreciate the views. While others, like Vanessa Murray, decided to enjoy the refreshing water, sandy beaches and dramatic red rocks of Sand Hollow State Park on a day when they weren’t in quite such a rush.

AMAZING VIEWS

The views in Greater Zion are unbeatable, but it’s not all about the dramatic red rocks cliffs and canyons. IRONMAN athletes also enjoyed the amazing outdoor art throughout the area. Downtown St. George is home to more than 30 original sculptures and 3D works of art through the Art Around the Corner program so you’ll be able to find one that speaks to you. During the race, the IRONMAN M-Dot statute, located at the roundabout at Tabernacle and Main Streets, was a popular stop. The area’s many murals also provided picture-perfect backdrops.

DISCOVER ZION NATIONAL PARK

The IRONMAN course showcased the beauty of Greater Zion, but one location athletes don’t visit on the course is Zion National Park. Many athletes like  Dr. Tommy Martin, made the most of their time in Southwest Utah by exploring the national park with family before and after the race. The park’s incredible scenery offered inspiration and adventure for the racers beyond the course.

GREATER EATS

The IRONMAN athletes didn’t just come for the fun and games, they also showed up for the outstanding dining in Greater Zion. Located along the course and close to the finish line, Farmstead kept competitors and fans fueled up with savory sandwiches and gourmet sweet treats. Another downtown favorite, Station II Bar, was the perfect place for spectators to post up to enjoy the race and a brew. FeelLove Coffee also helped keep the crowd fueled with caffeinated drinks. Veyo Pies, also along the race route, pulled in droves for their famous pies.

REST AND RELAX

Take it from IRONMAN world champion, Kristian Blummenfelt, Greater Zion is a perfect place to push your limits because we have plenty of space for recovery afterwards. Hit the hot tub, like Kristian, to get yourself back on track and ready to tackle your next adventure. Or dial it in like athlete Jocelyn McCauley and kick back on the rooftop at The Advenire for a little R&R.

With more than 2,400 square miles of adventure calling, we’re sure that you’ll find a championship stop of your own in Greater Zion. We can’t wait to see what you discover! If you’re posting to Instagram, make sure to tag @GreaterZionUtah with the hashtag #GreaterZion.

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Figure Raises 12 Year Total IRONMAN has Contributed to Local Economy to $160 Million 

St. George, Utah – May 12, 2022 –The Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office today announced the economic impact from the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN® World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission. Results from an athlete survey conducted by an independent research team and other data analysis indicates that the iconic event, which took place on May 7, has delivered $41.7 million directly to the local economy. Including the most recent results, IRONMAN events have infused more than $160 million into the local community since its first event in Greater Zion in 2010. Beyond the financials, the event is anticipated to positively impact the area in a number of ways, including raising the profile of the community, job creation and reducing overall community taxes. 

“Tourism and iconic events like IRONMAN drive the economic engine of our community,” said Kevin Lewis, director of the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office. “The $41.7 million in economic impact represents money that came from outside the area that is infused directly into our businesses. The ripple effects of the taxes paid by these visitors as well as the eyes of the world being on our community as they follow the pinnacle IRONMAN World Championship race will continue to have positive impacts for years to come.” 

The May 7 event marked the first time the IRONMAN World Championship triathlon was ever contested outside Hawai`i. More than 2,800 triathletes competed, with participants from all 50 states and more than 80 countries, regions and territories. Nearly 12,000 guests and spectators accompanied the athletes as they traveled to the destination. 

The IRONMAN World Championship generated more than 83,000 total room nights at hotels and rentals in Washington County. Many of the athletes visited the area ahead of time to train, boosting the overall room nights. During the event, most competitors stayed in Greater Zion for over six nights to facilitate the full schedule of events and exploration of the area. Overnight guests in Washington County each pay a Transient Room Tax (TRT) of 4.25 percent, which goes to the county for tourism development and infrastructure. Over the past decade, $25 million from TRT funds have been invested in projects throughout the county to the benefit of local residents and visitors. Projects supported by TRT funds include various trail systems, the Snake Hollow Bike Park, Greater Zion Stadium at Dixie State University and more. 

“This event has had a huge positive economic impact on our community but it has also delivered so much more than money,” said Lewis. “With millions watching around the world and taking in the amazing scenery, this really helps raise the profile of our community on a global scale. Just as important, it helps generate excitement and foster a sense of community, create jobs and lower taxes for our residents.” 

The thousands of visitors in Greater Zion for the event also frequented area businesses injecting direct funds from outside the region into area restaurants, shops, outfitters and more. An infusion of revenue is also generated for event infrastructure, labor and operation costs, which adds to the total economic impacts locally. This revenue from visitors stimulates the economy and helps to reduce the overall taxes paid by county residents by more than $1,200 per household, per year. Washington County enjoys the lowest property taxes in the state of Utah, thanks in part to the tourism funds generated on an annual basis. 

The athlete survey also revealed an overall favorable sentiment for Greater Zion among participants that will continue to payoff over the coming years as the triathletes return and encourage others to visit. More than 84 percent of respondents indicated that they would return to the destination. In total, 44 percent of the triathletes were first-time visitors to the area. 

Media outlets around the world reported on the IRONMAN World Championship in Greater Zion, helping to reach an even larger audience. Preliminary reporting indicates that since the announcement of the event in September 2021, nearly 3,000 news stories in the United States have highlighted Greater Zion’s involvement. The coverage has included stories is The New York Times, Forbes, ESPN, Travel + Leisure, Outside, BBC and The Salt Lake Tribune. Press coverage from the event has reached a domestic audience of more 877 million with an estimated publicity value of more than $16 million. Additionally, the stories from the race will continue to be told on July 24 along with amazing visuals showcasing the region through the official documentary special airing on NBC. 

Local enthusiasm for the event was also high with more than 4,800 volunteers answering the call to support the IRONMAN World Championship. 

“I’m always inspired by the enthusiasm and goodness in our communities,” added Lewis. “The people of Southern Utah really came together to make this once in a lifetime race happen. You could see the pride in everyone from our amazing volunteers to spectators cheering on the racers and all who come out on race day to compete. Events like this help showcase that goodness on a global stage.” 

In October of this year, Greater Zion will host the 2022 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN® 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission. The event is slated to feature nearly 7,000 athletes in an expanded two-day race format. The economic impact from that race is estimated at $25-30 million. 

In the coming weeks, the Greater Zion Tourism & Convention Office expects to see additional data indicating the number of spectators who watched the race globally via IRONMAN Now™ available on Facebook Watch, and NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, as well as data about media reach and coverage. 

Written by Heather Wurtele

Hosting the Ironman World Championships in St. George, Utah might threaten our triathlete sensibilities, but it’ll make for new, exciting, and better racing.

For the first time since my retirement from professional triathlon in 2019, I have a serious fear of missing out.

It began when I saw an Instagram image of Snow Canyon in St. George, Utah. In the photo, the beautiful red rock scenery had an Ironman brand race sign slapped on top. I scrolled right past, assuming it was a photo related to the recent 70.3 World Championship race. Only when I saw some pros posting about the change (and all the arguments in the comments) did I realize it was something new. Ironman had announced the 2021 Ironman World Championships will take place in St. George, Utah on May 7, 2022.

The full Ironman World Championships. Not in Kona, but St. George.

It took a moment to sink in. When it did, I felt a pang of heartache. This was the first real yearning for triathlon that I’ve had since I retired. St. George is one of my favorite hard, hilly courses. My husband, Trevor, and I loved it so much that we lived there in our RV for four months out of the year, simply because it was the ideal training environment. 

Just when I had zero longing for anything triathlon-related anymore, they had to go and taunt me like that. Man, I would have loved to race an Ironman World Championship in St. George. 

The die-hard Kona crowd will argue that Hawaii is the spiritual home of Ironman. They claim the race history makes it the only place that athletes will ever want to go for the world championships, and they shake their head at the folly of this change.

Meanwhile, others think it would be great if the venue moved around the world. The world champion could be decided by different races in different conditions on different courses, allowing athletes to test their mettle in a variety of circumstances, not just the hot and windy one on Kona. When St. George was announced, these folks gave a cheer (but not too loud, so as not to offend Pele) for the silver linings of COVID cancellations. I’m cheering, too.

I get it: a race-vacation to Hawaii sounds more appealing than a trip to Utah. But once you get past the initial romantic idea of sandy beaches and poke bowls, you’ll soon realize Kona is a costly, difficult place to get to for many in the world. If we’re talking about ideal places to actually race a global triathlon event, Utah wins in my book.

No, there’s nothing quite like swimming in the ocean in Kona. The speedo-clad posturing and people-watching at Dig Me Beach during race week is pretty spectacular, but look away from the people in the water, and you’ll see understandably grumpy locals rolling their eyes as thousands of triathletes descend on their small community. At the single tiny local pool, triathletes can be found deck-changing, jumping in sweaty after running or riding, and generally making a nuisance of themselves. For pros, race week is often a special exercise in timing training sessions to avoid people—hard to do in a village of only 15,000.

There’s room to spread out in Utah. In addition to the swim venue at Sand Hollow Reservoir (and Quail Creek, if you really want to avoid crowds) there are four pools to choose from in the St. George area, including a spectacular new 50m pool that’s part of the Human Performance Center at Utah Tech University. It really is nice to have so many options for so many athletes. 

The same goes for biking and running. If endless hot laps of Ali’i Drive and the Queen K float your boat, that’s cool, but for pre-race training safety, St. George is going to be amazing. Since the first edition of Ironman St. George in 2010, the county has built an impressive network of paved trail systems, bike lanes, and parkways with big shoulders. If you prefer to run on dirt there are endless options in the state parks and BLM land all around. (The West Canyon Trail in Snow Canyon is one of my all-time favorite training run locations.)

And if a black lava background shot is a must for the ‘gram, you only need to cruise the Lava Flow Trail off of Pioneer Parkway through St. George and Ivins. In southern Utah, you get Kona-esque black lava rocks and orange sandstone.

One of the more frustrating things about racing the Ironman World Championship in Kona was the logistics. It’s hard for people to get out and spectate portions of the bike and run beyond Ali’i Drive and the Hot Corner in town. In St. George, there will be so many more chances for friends, family, supporters, sponsors, photographers, and your personal social media entourage to actually get to see the race and cheer you on. What’s more, the locals turn out to cheer, too. They love the race, and many volunteer to help athletes have the best race experience possible.

Of course, the main performance difference between Kona and St. George is the climate. To date, winning the Ironman World Championship has meant solving the very particular physiological problem of performing well in oppressive heat and humidity. I, for one, would have really liked the humid-heat element to be less of a deciding factor. Trying desperately to get enough fluids to survive that particular war of attrition keeps competitors from going out and racing as hard as they want to (or could under a different set of conditions). It’s kind of a bummer when you know that the World Championships is always going to be like that, and it simply doesn’t suit you. 

Rotating through multiple locations gives athletes a true world championship challenge in proving they can adapt to any environment, not just one particular corner of the globe. Dealing with terrain, climate and race conditions is all part of the game, and I think it’s good when those conditions change. Race dynamics change. Different athletes with different strengths can take different risks. It will be new and interesting. The cream will still rise to the top, it won’t just be curdled.

In 2013, Ironman announced it would shorten what had been a full distance race in St. George to a 70.3, because the full distance, with its challenging terrain, had gained a reputation for being “too hard.” I say the hard is what makes it so great. I’m excited to see the race return in 2021, and to see the world’s top triathletes take on a new and exciting and equally tough challenge.

And to answer the obvious question: No, I won’t be one of those athletes. Coming out of retirement is tempting, but it’s not going to happen. However, I will be cheering on the athletes who do take on what I feel is truly a world-class course for a world-class event.

Written by Susan Lacke

Kona? Out. St. George? In. Instead of a big island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, triathlon’s Big Show will take place in southwestern Utah—the story behind what brought it there.

Like many triathletes, Julie Dunkle had big race goals for 2021. After early-season qualifying races for both the Ironman and 70.3 World Championships, she plotted out an ambitious plan to do both races, one month apart:

“My original idea was to have a solid day at 70.3 Worlds,” said the Encinitas, California native, “then go for a PR and podium at the Ironman World Championship in Kona.”

Dunkle trained with this goal in mind, only to have it all fall apart with an email from Ironman: Kona was postponed to February due to tightened COVID-19 restrictions in Hawaii. Suddenly, her plans changed. 70.3 Worlds was no longer a tune-up race, but the main event.

For the past two seasons, athletes have gotten used to pivoting in response to race cancellations and reorganizations. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has meant that every race registration is a gamble; athletes simply sign up and hope the host city doesn’t shut down the event due to an active or imminent outbreak, or that there are no travel restrictions imposed by the destination.

Athletes aren’t the only ones impacted by this uncertainty. After a hiatus in 2020, the Ironman organization fully expected to be able to put on its world championship events this year. In mid-July, race organizers traveled to Kona and the 70.3 Worlds host city of St. George, Utah to finalize plans with local officials:

“At the time, COVID case numbers and hospitalizations in the area were at a manageable level and race details were moving forward as originally planned,” said Kevin Lewis, president of the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office in St. George. “There were positive indicators that the travel restrictions for international visitors to the U.S. would be reduced. Two weeks later, the situation had changed significantly.” 

With the development of the Delta variant, COVID case numbers rose rapidly in Utah and Hawaii. In other parts of the world, they were even more pronounced. U.S. leaders announced they would not be making changes to international travel restrictions, which limited nearly half of all athletes who qualified for Ironman’s world championship events. It was a flurry of activity at the Ironman organization as they worked with local officials in Hawaii and Utah to find ways to still put on a world-class event. 

The two states have had vastly differing approaches to the pandemic. Hawaii has exercised extreme caution, requiring quarantines for non-vaccinated travelers and only accepting vaccination records from a small list of approved countries. With limited hospital beds and medical facilities, a surge of the COVID virus would overwhelm the tiny island community. Back in 2020, the Ironman World Championship was first postponed to February 2021, then canceled. It wasn’t surprising, then, when Ironman announced the 2021 World Championship would be postponed as well:

“The resurgence of the virus and new Delta strain has had significant impact on the island community of Hawaii,” Ironman CEO Andrew Messick said in a press statement on Aug. 19. “Combined with substantial border closures and travel restrictions for qualified athletes, there is not a viable pathway in October to host the Ironman World Championship.”

Utah, on the other hand, has adopted a “return to normal” approach, hosting large events throughout the year, including the Ironman 70.3 North American Championship race back in May.

“This isn’t our first large format event during COVID. We’ve been hosting events with enhanced safety protocols for several months,” said commissioner Gil Almquist, chairman of the Washington County Commission in Utah. “We have stayed open in Washington County while exercising all precautions at large events. With the Ironman 70.3 North American Championship, we showed our health department, citizen volunteers, spectators, and participants that an outdoor race can be held with minimal health risk.”

The conversation in Utah was much different than in Hawaii. In addition to more relaxed rules surrounding COVID, St. George has access to more hospital beds and medical facilities than Kona. Instead of looking at if the race could be held, race organizers and local officials began discussing how to hold a world championship event with a reduced global turnout. As many as half of qualified athletes for the 70.3 World Championship race were from outside of the United States, and many would not be able to travel into the country. Instead of 5,000 athletes from around the world, the race would be less than 3,000 mostly Americans. (Ironman estimates 70% of the 2021 70.3 World Championship field will be from the United States). 

“In August, when it became increasingly clear that travel and border restrictions would not be relaxed in time for all athletes to attend the 70.3 World Championship event, we formulated an alternative plan,” said Ironman spokesman Dan Berglund. That plan included condensing the two-day race format, where men and women raced on separate days, into one day.

“With the smaller athlete field size, and bringing a two-day event back to St. George in 2022, we looked at how we could lessen the strain on the local community this year,” he said. “We collectively decided to move this to a one-day weekend event, removing the weekday component, which has the natural ability to cause increased impact on the local community.”

The one-day format also makes it easier to recruit volunteers for the event. “Even as a one-day event, the volunteer requirements of the World Championship are almost twice what we normally provide at our annual race,” explains Lewis. “To put on an event of this magnitude is a significant commitment.” 

Changes to the race in St. George have not been completely without criticism. Athletes who made travel plans based on the original two-day format had to scramble to change their flights or lodging reservations, some at great cost. Others have noted that merging the men’s and women’s races puts women at a competitive disadvantage, as the women’s pro race has historically been hindered by interference from pro and elite age-group men. And, of course, there is the criticism that the 2021 Ironman 70.3 World Championship will not be a true world championship, but more of an American one. Still, athletes and race organizers alike are happy just to have a race.

“With all the obstacles in the world today, the fact that we are putting on an event like this, in a place like this, at a time like this is a testament to the Ironman mantra that ‘anything is possible,” Almquist said.

With Kona out of the picture for 2021, all eyes are now on St. George. The sole Ironman world championship race of the year has attracted deep fields in both the pro and age-group categories, looking to test their mettle against an elite group of athletes. And for the first time since 2019, new champions will be crowned.