sgr october newsletter · pictured above: runners in the 41st st. george marathon heading to the...
TRANSCRIPT
SGROctoberNewsletter
TokeeppeopleinformedaboutupcomingSt.GeorgeRaces
events,wewillsendoutamonthlynewsletter.ThesewillincludeaRunnerSpotlight,wherewehighlightamemberor
membersoftherunningcommunity,alistofupcomingeventsanddetails,a"Town'sTreasure"Sectionwherewetalkaboutacoolspotaroundtowntoexplore,and,ifyou'relucky,apromocodewithalimitedwindowofusagethatcanbeusedtosignupfortheeventslistedintheemail.Don'tseesomethingonthenewsletter,[email protected]
andwewillbehappytohelpyou!
UpcomingEventHighlight-SnowCanyonHalf
Marathon
JoinSt.GeorgeRacesonSaturday,November4,2017,fortheSnowCanyonHalf-Marathon,5k,KidsRun,andIAmAbleevents!This
beautiful,fast,downhillhalf-marathonstartsnearDiamondValley,UtahandtakesrunnersthroughSnowCanyonStateParkbefore
finishingatSnowCanyonHighSchoolinSt.George,Utah.RegistrationisaccepteduntilWednesday,November1stat5:00p.m.MDT.Toavoida$10lateregistrationfee,registerbyFriday,Oct.27
at11:59pm.
Formoreinformation,pleaseclickhere.Toregister,pleaseclickhere.Usepromocode“OCTNEWS”fora15%offdiscount!Codeexpires
onOct.28,usebefore11:59pmonOct.27.
41stAnnualSt.GeorgeMarathonRecap
Imagineanentirecityspendingmonthspreparingforasingleevent.Astheeventgrowscloser,theworkloadincreasesdaily.That’sexactlywhatit’slikeattheCityofSt.GeorgeasweprepareforeacheditionoftheSt.GeorgeMarathon.Thisyear’s41stAnnualSt.GeorgeMarathon,whichtookplaceonSaturday,October7,2017,wasnoexception.Asalways,thecoursetookrunnersonascenic,mostlydownhillroutefromCentral,UtahtoVernonWorthenParkinSt.George.Andbehindthescenes,ittookavillage(oranentirecity)topulloffwhatRunner’sWorldmagazinecalls“oneofonlyfourmarathonstobuildavacationaround."
KamiEllsworth,RaceOperationsManagerwiththeCityofSt.George,hasoverseentheeventforthelast11years.Inthattime,shehaslearnedfirst-handwhatworksandwhatdoesn’t,whatpromptsthemostfrustration,andwhatresultsinthemostenjoyment.Transportationisusuallythebiggestcauseofstress,asthousandsofrunnersmustbebused26milestothestart-lineinatimelymanner,withalimitednumberofbuses.Butthehundredsofdedicatedvolunteersandstaffalwaysbringthemostjoytotheevent.AsEllsworthnotes,“TheSt.GeorgeMarathonisknownthroughouttheworldforitsvolunteers,andforthesupporttherunnersfeelfromourcommunity.”
It’seasyforEllsworthtopickafavoritepartofthemarathon.Forher–andforsomanyoftherunners–it’sthestart-line,whichunfortunatelyisseldomseenbynon-runners.Notonlyaretherethousandsofathletesinoneareaatonetime,therearefirepitstokeepwarm,musictoenergizeallcompetitors,andendlessexcitementamongthecrowdandstaffwhoareasdarknessturnstodawn.SaysEllsworth,“IwisheverydayIfeltashonoredtobeapartofsomething,otherthanmyfamily,asIdowhenIreachthestart-
lineofthemarathoneachyear.”
AfunfactoftheSt.GeorgeMarathon:Inthe41-yearhistoryoftheevent,Maineistheonlystatethathasnotbeenrepresentedattherace.Soifyou’refromMaine,orknowsomeonewhois,tellhimorhertosignupforthe42ndSt.GeorgeMarathon.Congratulationstoallwhoranthisyear’srace,andwelookforwardtoseeingyouagainforthe42ndSt.GeorgeMarathonin2018!
Picturedabove:Runnersinthe41stSt.GeorgeMarathonheadingto
thefinishline
RunnerSpotlight-AaronFletcher
Fewpeoplerunmarathons.Ofthosewhodo,fewerwinmarathons.Ofthosewhowin,anevensmallerminoritysetcourserecords.Don’ttellthosethingstoAaronFletcher,whofinishedfirstatthe41stSt.GeorgeMarathononSaturday,Oct.7,2017.Fletcher,26,notonlywontherace,hesetanewcourserecordbyoveraminuteandtenseconds(2:14:44).
Oh,andbytheway–thiswasFletcher’sfirst-everroadmarathon.Youreadthatright:AaronFletcherwonthefirstroadmarathonheeverran.
ThoughFletcherisn’tnewtorunning,hisstoryisunique:Growingup
inAnchorage,Alaska,hejoinedhismiddleschooltrackteamonawhim,andrealizedhewasagoodmilerunner.Hecontinuedrunningthroughhighschool,wherehebecameoneofthebestrunnersinAlaska.Hewalked(orran)ontotheBrighamYoungUniversityCross-CountryandTrackteamsinProvo,Utah,andexcelled.AsaCougar,FletcherwontheWestCoastConferenceCross-CountryChampionship(2015),the3000-metersteeplechaseattheTexasRelays(2016),andmadeittotheNCAANationalFinals(2016).AftergraduatingfromBYU,Fletcherfinished17thattheSpartanRaceObstacleRacingWorldChampionship(2016).
Buthisrunningachievementsdidn’tendthere:In2017Fletcherranfourraces,winningeachofthem.ThecontestsincludedtheTimpTrailMarathon(breakingthecourserecordby23minutes),theinauguralElephantRockTrailMarathon,theTopofUtahHalf-Marathon(withatimeof1:04.46thatshearedafull23secondsoffthecourserecord),andthenhistriumphatthe41stSt.GeorgeMarathon.
Fletcher’strainingroutineisasimpressiveashisrunningaccomplishments.FortheSt.GeorgeMarathon,herancloseto100milesaweek,takingjustonedayofftorest,anddoingdoubleworkoutsontwodays.Heattributesthe“backbone”ofhistrainingtooneworkoutaweekinwhichmostofthemileagewasrunatgoalrace-paceorfaster.HealsoaddedatempopacetohislongSaturdayruns,andsomelight,fastworkoutsatadditionalpointsduringtheweek.
RunningtheSt.GeorgeMarathonisnoeasyfeat,Fletchersays.“Thelasttenmileshavesomuchsteepdownhillthatitreallybeatsupyourlegs.Sowhenitstartstoleveloffalittlebitthelasttwomilesorso,itgetsreallytoughtokeepyourpacegoing.Physically,itfeltlikeIwasgoingtodie.Iwashurtingreallybadthelastfewminutes,andjustwantedtobedone!"
“Irememberaspecificmomentwithaboutamiletogo,whenmylegsjustturnedtolead,”Fletchercontinues.“Ireallyhadtobuckledownmentallytogettotheend.”AsFletcherclosedinonthefinishline,hefoundacheeringsectionwaitingforhim:Hiswife,Karen,andfour-month-olddaughter,Rosemary,weretheretowatchhimbreakthetape.Fletchercreditshisvictorytothetwoofthem,describingthesupporthereceivedfrom–andsacrificesmadeby–hiswifeinhelpinghimgethismilesin,evenasshe’sstillattendingschoolandthey’rebothadjustingtoparenthood.TheSt.GeorgeMarathonwasalsoafamilyaffairfortheFletchers,asAaron’smom,dadandyoungerbrotherrantheraceaswell.
OfhisvictoryFletchersaid,“Itwasgreattowin.Tohaveallthetough
trainingcomethroughonrace-daywasfantastic.IfthereisonethingI’velearnedinrunning,it’sthatanythingcanhappenonrace-day,nomatterhowwellpreparedyouare.”Fletcherdoesn’thaveanyspecificplansfortheraceshewantstorunnextyear.ButinNovemberheplanstoruntheIbigawaHalf-MarathoninIbigawa,Japan.
Fletchersayshelovesthelifestylethatcomeswithrunning,especiallywakingupearlyandgettingafullday’sworkoutinwhileothersarestillsleeping.Outsideofrunning,Fletcher–whoworksasanElectricalTransmissionLineDesigner,andhasadegreeinCivilEngineering–likesplayingandwatchingsportsofallkinds,readingnovelsandspendingtimewithhisfamily.Whenaskedifhehadanyadvicetoshare,Aaronhadthistosay,“Ifyouwanttobeabetterrunner,runmore!Makealong-termplan,bepatient,andfollowitascloselyaspossible.Itmighttakeyears.Butyouhavetogiveyourbodyplentyoftimetodevelop.”
OnbehalfoftheentireSt.GeorgeRacesStaff,weextendourwarmestcongratulationstoAaronFletcheronhisperformanceatthe41stSt.GeorgeMarathon.
Picturedabove:AaronFletchercrossesthefinishlineatthe41stSt.George
Marathon
RunnerSpotlight-NicoleLyons
OnSaturday,Oct.7,2017,NicoleLyonsenteredtherecord-booksasthefirstwomantofinishthe41stSt.GeorgeMarathon.Nicoleisnonewcomertomarathons:TheSt.Georgecontestwasthefifthmarathonsheeverran,andthesecondmarathonshe’swon.Whatmadethismarathonevenmorememorable–otherthanwinningthe
women’sdivision–wasthatLyonsranapersonalbestof2:41:15.
Lyons,26,hasbeenrunningsinceshewasayoungchild.BorninSeattle,WA,butraisedinBoise,ID,Lyonsparticipatedinfun-runsaroundtown.Butsheeventuallyswitchedsportsandstartedplayingsoccer.AfteronetoomanyinjuriesLyonslaterreturnedtorunning,whilejugglingherloveofmusicinbetween.
InhighschoolLyonscontinuedrunning,primarilydoing1600-and3200-meterraces,andwinningthe1600Mand3200Mstatechampionshipsduringhersophomoreandjunioryears.LyonsextendedherrunningcareerwhileattendingBrighamYoungUniversityinProvo,Utah,focusingonthe5Kand10Kintrack,andcompetingintheNationalCross-CountryMeettwice.AftercollegeLyonrantheSaltLakeMarathon(herfirst)in2015andwon,finishingin2:58.Thisqualifiedhertocompeteinthe2016BostonMarathon;shealsoranthe40thSt.GeorgeMarathonin2016,finishingthird.Earlierthissummer,LyonsrantheUtahValleyMarathonaswell.
Lyonsisverydisciplinedwithhertrainingschedule,wakingupat4:30or5a.m.eachdayduringtheweektogetherworkoutandmilesinbeforework.Andshe’shardlyidleonthejob:Lyonsisafifth-gradeelementaryschoolteacheratWillowCreekElementaryinMeridian,Idaho.Shealsoteachespianolessonsafterschool,havingspent15yearsticklingtheivoriesherself.Butdespitehermusicalbackground,whilerunningLyonsfocusessolelyonthemiles;sheneverlistenstomusic,preferringtotakeinthesoundsofnaturearoundher,andrelishingthecalmandquietoftheearlyhours.She’snotshywhenitcomestolongrunsorhardworkouts,sayingthat“[the]feelingthat[comesfromit]ishardtoreplicate.”
TheSt.GeorgeMarathonwasnoteasyforLyons,whoreports,“Istartedoffactuallyfeelingsicktomystomach,andIwentoutabittoofast.Asaresult,bymile13Iwasstrugglingtokeeppushingthroughthepain.IkepttellingmyselfthatIdidn’ttrainsohardtojustgiveupthen.”
Lyonsdidn’tgiveup,butkeptfighting.Forthefirst21milesoftherace,shewasneckandneckwiththewomen’ssecond-placefinisher,RosyLee.Shewasn’tsurewhereLeewasforthelastfivemiles,andwasshockedtocrossthefinish-lineaheadofhercompetitor.Abouthervictory,Lyonssays,“Itwasanamazingexperience.Ifeelblessedthatmymanymilesandhoursoftrainingpaidoffintheend.”
Lyonsrecruitedherhusbandtorunthemarathonwithher.Shewasabletospendpre-racetimewithhim,andsaysthateachwasthinkingoftheotherduringthelongmiles.Herparents,in-laws,brother,sister-in-lawandsister-in-law’sfamilywerealsothere,
supportingLyonsandherhusband.
AftertheBostonMarathon,LyonsdeemstheSt.GeorgeMarathonhersecond-favoriterace.RememberingthevenerableBostonevent,Lyonsrecountsthatitwas“anincredibleexperiencetorunwiththousandsofrunnersfromallovertheworld.”Sheaddsthatshewrotethenamesofherelementarystudentsonawristband,withthoughtsofadifferentchildforeachmile.
Lyonsisn’tsurewhichracessheplanstodonextyear.ButthisNovembershe’llbejoiningSt.GeorgeMarathonmen’swinnerAaronFletcherincompetingintheIbigawaHalf-MarathoninIbigawa,Japan.WecongratulateLyonsonheroutstandingwin,andhopetoseeherbackintownforthe42ndSt.GeorgeMarathonin2018!
Picturedabove:NicoleLyonscrossesthefinishlineatthe41stSt.George
Marathon
Town'sTreasure-SnowCanyonStatePark
ThoughtechnicallynotinSt.George,thenamesakeoftheSnowCanyonHalf-Marathoniscertainlyatowntreasure.Discoveredin1850byMormonpioneers,theparkislocatedjustoutsideofSt.GeorgeinIvins,Utah,andfeatures7,400acresofscenicbeauty.ThereissomethingforeveryoneatSnowCanyon:sanddunestoplayin,trailstohikeandrun,roadstobike,rockwallstoclimb,andmore.
AccordingtotheUtahDepartmentofNaturalResources,SnowCanyonStateParkoffersmorethan38milesofhikingtrails,threemilesofpavedwalking/bikingtrail,andover15milesofequestriantrails.Thepark’selevationrangesfrom3,100feetatthesouthernendto4,100feetatthenorthernend.Beautifulredrocksstretchskyward,surroundingthepark,andvisitorscanenjoyimpeccableviewsfromthepark’snorthernside.
CuriousastohowSnowCanyonStateParkgotitsname?Eventhoughit’slocatedinthedesert,manypeopleassumeitwasnamedinhonorofthecoldstuffthatfallsfromthesky.ButtheareawasoriginallynamedDixieStatePark,andthenwaschangedtoSnowCanyonStateParktohonorLorenzoandErastusSnow,prominentpioneeringUtahleaders.
Tolearnmoreaboutthehistory,geology,plantsandanimalsofSnowCanyonStatePark,pleasevisittheUtahDepartmentofNaturalResourceswebsitelocatedhere.
Picturedabove:TheViewofSnowCanyonStateParkfromthenorth
endofthepark
UpcomingEvents
SnowCanyonHalfMarathon-November4,
2017Besuretojoinusforoneofthemostscenichalfmarathonsyoucaneverrun.TheSnowCanyonHalf
takesrunnersthroughSnowCanyonStateParkbeforefinishingatSnowCanyonHighSchool.IthasbeenratedbyRunnersWorldasoneofthetop13HalfMarathonsinthenation.
Formoreinformation,pleaseclickhere.Toregister,pleaseclickhere.
TurkeyTrotandHarvestFestival-November
18,2017WeencourageeveryonetoparticipateintheTurkeyTrotbutthebacktoschooldiscountcodewillnotwork
forregistration.Thisisbecauseitonlycost$5and3canstopartakeintheTurkeyTrot.Thefoodraisedwillbedonatedtofighthunger.
Formoreinformation,pleaseclickhere.
St.GeorgeHalfMarathon,5k,KidsRun-
January13,2018Thelongest-runninghalfmarathoninSouthernUtahtakesrunnersalongthebeautifullandscapesofSt.George.Makesureyousignupforthisawesomeevent.
Formoreinformation,pleaseclickhere.Toregister,pleaseclickhere.
Bikestock2018-February3,2018
Bikestockisafamily-friendlybikeridingeventonthecitytrails.BikestockinvolvestheFamilyFunBikeRideandtheMoveIt!KidsCriterium.TheFamilyBikeRideisfreeandCriteriumcostsonly$10.
Formoreinformation,pleaseclickhere.Toregister,pleaseclickhere.
RoadRageDuathlon-February24,2018
RoadRageputsparticipants'runningandbikingskillstothetest.RunandBikethroughSantaClara,Ivins,andKayenta.BothSprintandOlympicdistancesavailable.
Formoreinformation,pleaseclickhere.Toregister,pleaseclickhere.
LaketoLake-March3,2018
Grabacoupleofyourfriends(ordoityourself,ifyou'refeelingextraadventurous)andrun52miles.LaketoLakeRelaytakesparticipantsfromGunlockReservoirtoSandHollowReservoir.Runalongbeautifulroads,trails,andsitesasyoucompeteinteamsof2,5or
individually.Formoreinformation,pleaseclickhere.Toregister,pleaseclickhere.
ShamROCKYourSocksOff10k-March17,
2018KickoffyourSt.Patrick'sDayCelebrationwiththeShamROCK10K.Thisawesome10ktakesrunners
throughSnowCanyonStateParkbeforefinishingatIvinsCityPark.
Formoreinformation,pleaseclickhere.Toregister,pleaseclickhere.
SHACTriathlon-April7,2018
Everwanttodoatriathlon?Wellifso,thisistheoneforyou.Putyourrunning,bikingandswimmingskillstothetestwiththisfunevent.
Formoreinformation,pleaseclickhere.Toregister,pleaseclickhere.
Hereisthe2018RaceCalendar.
Savethedateforalltheseawesomeevents!