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istory will be made on May 7. For the rst time ever, the canon blast that starts the IRONMAN World Championship will not resound across the fabled waters of Kialua Bay, and the legendary “You are an IRONMAN” nisher call will not ring out on Alii Drive.
When the rst rays of the sun break over the Hurricane Cli s, splashing color and light onto the waters of Sand Hollow Reservoir, we can truly celebrate “Kumukahi” – a new beginning. In some ways, the anticipation of this moment has been building for centuries. It resonates through the landscape and pulsates through the lives and character of the people who make Greater Zion their home. The rush we feel from this year’s championship experience somehow seems natural … almost as if it were meant to be. And yet, the newness of it all keeps us hovering in a state of wonder. This is a day of reckoning. A de ning moment when the forces of time push forward, defying the odds to write yet another chapter in the storied tales of the American Southwest. As we pull together to do what has never been done before, the enduring legends of Kona race to join us from across the sea. On race day, the call of former world champions will rise from the desert terrain, echoing across new plateaus, adding new depth and character to the Land of Endurance. We have the deepest respect for the IRONMAN legacy and all that has gone on before. We feel a kindred connection to the passion, the dreams, the gut-wrenching persistence and the human spirit of caring for one another, as we push forward to build something better. It’s a legacy that speaks to us. It’s what brings the desert world to life. And we invite you to join in the celebration of a new beginning. Congratulations, and thank you for shining your light in the Land of Endurance.
n behalf of all of us at IRONMAN, we are so thankful for our gracious friends in Greater Zion, who have risen to the occasion to host our athletes from around the world at the 2021 edition of the IRONMAN World Championship. After over two years of anticipation, we are all in store for a truly special experience here in this beautiful southwest United States setting.
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As the sun rises in the east and we embrace a new horizon, the Hawaiian word Kumukahi, “A New Beginning,” carries us into the Land of Endurance. No matter where we are in the world, Kumukahi shows us each new day provides the possibility for optimism and excitement as we re ect on our past and acknowledge the value of all we have learned. Much like the Hawaiian Islands, the Land of Endurance and its rugged terrain was formed by the ow of ancient seas and molten lava creating the perfect landscape for our athletes to compete in a world championship event. The unique and challenging course along with the immense support the community has shown, will carry athletes through the day as they swim in the beautiful Sand Hollow Reservoir, bike a challenging climb into the picturesque Snow Canyon State Park, run along the beautiful city streets, and a nish in the center of historic downtown St. George. Our sta , partners, and athletes are all grateful for the incredible team of local volunteers and the Greater Zion community who stands at the ready to ensure the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission will be best experience possible here in the Land of Endurance. Thank you for helping us prove ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE and being an instrumental part of what will make this year’s World Championship Event so special.
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rofessional triathlete Skye Moench of Salt Lake City was on the path to build a career in accounting, but has since traded in the calculator for running shoes… and all the other equipment that a pro triathlete requires.
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No stranger to racing in St. George either, she’s done 70.3-mile distances in the past, most recently nishing sixth among the women at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship last September, but May will be her rst crack at the 140.6-mile St. George course.
The return has netted the 33-year-triathlete some prestigious titles, including IRONMAN European Champion 2019, fastest American female IRONMAN distance record at IRONMAN Chattanooga 2021, and representing USA at the inaugural Collins Cup in 2021.
“I am really looking forward to doing the IRONMAN World Championship course for the rst time there,” Skye comments. “It’s going to be beautiful and very challenging, which will make for exciting racing! I also know there will be amazing crowd and volunteer support cheering us on all day, and that makes the race course even more fun and special.”
Graduating from Lehi High School, Skye participated in track and eld, but got started later in triathlon competitions with her rst being Brigham Young University’s True Cougar Triathlon in 2009. Now, she is a true IRONMAN pro, investing 25-30 hours per week into training, which includes a morning swim with bike and run sessions later in the day. She’s a local favorite whom spectators can pick out and cheer for among the world-wide eld of competitors.
As she takes to the start line on May 7, balance sheets will be the furthest thing from her mind, but you can bet she’s still looking for dividends. To read Skye’s full pro le, scan the QR code. IRONMAN.GreaterZion.com | 13
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he Greater Zion® area is on a premier stage like never before. Over the past decade, the area has blossomed into a global hub for endurance sports. In 2022, along with the St. George Marathon and the Huntsman World Senior Games, Greater Zion will host two of the most iconic and well-known endurance races in the world – the IRONMAN® World Championship, which has never been held outside of Hawaii; and, for the second year in a row, the IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship will be held here. Iconic events like these bring immediate economic impact to the area from visitors who travel here for the events. But leaders say they do much more for the community than that. Information gathered from communities who host iconic events shows there are ve major bene ts. • Raise the pro le of a community • Reduce taxes • Promote long-term investment • Create jobs • Generate enthusiasm and a sense of community Community Pro le Je Robbins, CEO of the Utah Sports Commission said the IRONMAN World Championship “may be the biggest event in Utah since the 2002 Winter Olympics, as far as a world-wide marquee brand.”
Events like these in uence the worldwide perceptions, acceptance and appreciation of a community. They demonstrate the communities’ capabilities to businesses and organizations on all levels, and this “street cred” attracts business investment and enhances economic opportunities for all business sectors. “Hosting these type of events puts us on a worldwide stage,” said Patrick Manning, managing partner for the new Black Desert Resort development. “They open the eyes of successful and experienced people to the capabilities of our communities and the opportunities available here. They create credibility and attract positive attention that bene ts all of the businesses here.” Josh Aikens, chief of sta at Zonos, agrees. “At Zonos, our mission is to create trust in global trade, and with a global clientele like ours, we see the bene ts of having globally recognized events like the IRONMAN World Championships in our hometown where we have our global headquarters.” Over the past decade, events like IRONMAN have generated persistent increase in community recognition and tourism. The IRONMAN events alone have brought more than $120 million in direct economic impact to our businesses – all of that revenue comes here from outside the area and is injected into our local economy. In addition to the direct impact to businesses, tax revenue from visitors is infused into our communities at a signi cant rate. 16 | IRONMAN.GreaterZion.com
Reduced Taxes Since the rst IRONMAN event in 2010, visitorproduced tax revenue received by Washington County has increased by an average of 15% year over year. In 2021, tax revenue from visitors grew to more than $15 million, making Washington County the second highest generator of visitor tax revenue in the state. State Tax Commission research shows the tax revenue from visitors decreases the local taxes for each of our residents by more than $1300 per household each year. We simply wouldn’t have the amenities and services we now enjoy in this area without the infusion of outside money into our local system. Long-term Investment These visitor-generated tax revenues from iconic events are also used for long-term investment in projects that enhance our communities. Local residents enjoy the bene ts of improved sporting and event venues, recreational facilities, parks and trails, transportation systems, and entertainment venues that are developed and enhanced through the visitor-based economy. “Events like these create an elevated community experience, with improved community amenities, fueled by the economic impact of outside dollars,” said Tracey Welsh, general manager of Red Mountain Resort. Over the past decade, more than $25 million of visitor-generated tax revenue has been invested directly into these types of projects and amenities for our local communities. Jobs In Southwest Utah, 15.3% of the jobs are in the leisure and hospitality sector. That’s a healthy and sustainable percentage for a strong and diverse economy. But those aren’t the only jobs created and supported by the visitor economy. Visitor activity spurs on jobs in construction, development, healthcare, tness, nance, law, technology, creative services, transportation, and more. Every dollar a visitor brings into the area gets spent over and over in our community supporting local business owners, employees and families. Applied Analysis research from 2019 shows nearly $380 million in value-added economic activity is generated by providers for tourism businesses. You don’t have to look too far to see how connected most of the new development in the area is to the visitor economy. “These events bring dedicated and highly successful people to our community,” said Paul Morris, vice president of administrative a airs at Dixie State University. “They bring business connections that lead to business opportunities. They expose us to new cultures and ideas and provide opportunities to learn, serve and grow. Whether people know it or not, these events positively impact every person in the community.” Sense of Community Perhaps one of the most signi cant bene ts of events like these are the community pride and enthusiasm they help generate. As Lisa Beck, IRONMAN.GreaterZion.com | 17
president of Harmony Public Involvement observed, “they provide opportunity for all of us as ‘parts’ to come together and create a better ‘whole.’” In a recent Forbes Magazine article titled “How to Build Community and Why It Matters So Much,” author Tracy Brower identi ed one of the common characteristics found in strong communities. “Strong communities have a signi cant sense of purpose,” she wrote. “People’s roles have meaning in the bigger picture of the community and each member of the group understands how their work connects to others’ and adds value to the whole. As members of community, people don’t just want to lay bricks, they want to build a cathedral.” (Read the full article by scanning the QR code.) Intermountain St. George Hospital administrator Mitch Cloward said the nature of the events changes us from the inside out. “These kinds of events inspire people to resolve to improve their health, to set personal goals and achieve them. They build on the hope we each have within that we can become better versions of ourselves. That’s how a healthy future begins and ultimately that vision carries the person who acts on it to a lifetime of achievement.” Community members who get involved with the events get inspired. They become part of something bigger than themselves and witness rst-hand what it means to pull together and accomplish remarkable achievements. The feeling and connection changes them from within and provides motivation as they navigate the challenges of life. “As a boy, I passed out water in the early days of the St. George Marathon and cheered on neighbors and friends,” said Shayne Wittwer, CEO of Wittwer Hospitality. “I always knew I would run the marathon when I was old enough — and sure enough, I’ve run it several times, along with my wife and each of my brothers and sisters and many of their spouses.”
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It would be interesting to see just how many people in our community have been in uenced in the same way. Senator Mitt Romney who headed up the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah, said for the local community, the Olympics “created bridges of understanding that had not existed before,” adding, “We were a di erent people in the months and few years that followed the Olympic Games.” Romney said it’s for that reason, more than any infrastructure needs or attention it might bring to the state, that he’s pushing to get another Olympics in Utah. Holly Mullen, who was the Editor for the Salt Lake Tribune during the Olympics agrees. “It was a really kind moment in Salt Lake City and Utah. People were really kind. I would just love to see that come back,” Mullen said iconic events like these provide “a way for people to feel connected.” And that’s something Mullen thinks “we really could use” right now. 2022 will be a transformational year for The Greater Zion community as we solidify our position on the world stage. The bene t these iconic events provide goes much further than economic impact. Through them our pro le as a viable business community is heightened, and our local taxes are reduced. We’ll see long-term infrastructure investments stimulated by the events, and our job market will continue to expand. Perhaps the greatest bene t will be in the enthusiasm and sense of community they help generate as we showcase the character and goodness of the people who live here. “These events are critical to our future,” said Lance Brown, development o cer at Dixie State University. “In some ways they are the beating heart of our community. The longer they continue, the more tradition and vibrancy we will enjoy. They will be anchors for our economic prosperity, identity, and growth.” The spirit of the IRONMAN World Championship is rushing across the paci c in the glow of a new sunrise. With a spirit of renewal and endurance, it breaks across a new horizon and beckons those who choose to rise. In May 2022, shine your light in the Land of Endurance. IRONMAN.GreaterZion.com | 19
SWIM: Plunge Into a Desert Oasis Roka Swim – Sand Hollow State Park, Hurricane
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he IRONMAN World Championship traverses much of Greater Zion, o ering multiple peeks at the action. For the safety of athletes, spectators and normal tra c, the following locations are suggested, along with the routes to get to these locations. We encourage you to stay away from the remote locations, unless you live in the immediate neighborhood. Spectators attempting to access these locations will create additional tra c congestion and you’ll likely miss the athletes you’re attempting to follow. Read carefully below. Sand Hollow Reservoir in Hurricane is one of most unique and scenic swim venues on the IRONMAN circuit. The crystal blue waters make ideal swim conditions for athletes. Sunrises here can be indescribable, and the desert scenery is unlike anywhere in the world. Watching the start of the race is exciting, but it requires detailed planning. There is only one entrance into Sand Hollow State Park and the bike course limits access in and out. Because of this, the only way to access the starting area is by riding the mandatory shuttle; access by personal vehicles is prohibited on race day. Spectators board the shuttle to Sand Hollow at the Dixie Center. Return shuttles will drop o spectators back at the Dixie Center. Spectator shuttles will continue to run into St. George and the Dixie Center starting shortly after the start of the race, until the last athletes exit the water and start their bike.
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Note: To view the Pro Start, we estimate that spectators must be on board a shuttle at the Dixie Center prior to 5 a.m. To view the Pro Finish at Town Square, it is estimated spectators should be on board a return shuttle at Sand Hollow before 12 Noon. Arrival times for spectator shuttles are not guaranteed. Please account for tra c congestion, parking and walking distances when planning your day. Once you’ve arrived at Sand Hollow, make your way to the main boat ramp where athletes start and nish the swim. Spectators can line the transition area and the shoreline to watch the athletes enter and exit the water. As they exit the water, athletes run from the ramp to where their bikes are mounted in a fenced transition area (T1), toward the north end of the parking lot, then walk their bike to the starting shoot before mounting for the bike course.
Spectators can line the transition area and the beginning section of the bike course from the reservoir to the Park Entrance Station to watch the cyclists depart. Note: As they exit the park, athletes make a left turn onto Sand Hollow Road, then turn right onto the Southern Parkway (State Route 7). SR-7 from Warner Valley Road to SR-9 will be closed to tra c from 4:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on race day. Please adjust your travel plans accordingly.
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fter winning the bid to host the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in 2019, local race organizers wanted to do something signi cant to memorialize the World Championship, the IRONMAN mantra (“Anything is Possible”) and the legacy that IRONMAN events have created in the community over the past decade. In response to a call to artists, Richard and Josh Prazen presented the concept of a metal sculpture depicting the swim, bike and run disciplines over the rugged landscapes of Greater Zion®. The artists worked with Kevin Lewis from the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism O ce and Marc Mortensen from St. George City to ne tune the design into the amazing four-sided M-Dot monument that now stands in the center of town in a roundabout leading to nish line of the race.
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With this upcoming World Championship, athletes will pass by the monument six times over the course of the race. “We are completely thrilled with the emotion and detail in the piece of art,” said Lewis. “The monument brilliantly represents the commitment, e ort and passion of IRONMAN athletes, and the dedication of the volunteers and organizations who make events like this
possible. Perhaps even more importantly, it is a tribute to the heritage of the early settlers in this area who overcame harsh conditions to carve out an existence in a land extremes and forge a community that the world is literally racing to be a part of.” It’s also a must-see and photo opportunity spot for all the athletes who are participating. “I’ve witnessed athletes who literally stop in their tracks overcome with emotion when they see the monument,” said Mortensen. “It seems that almost everyone who approaches it wants to learn of the inspiration and meaning behind it all.” Richard and Josh Prazen are third and fourth generation blacksmiths who have widely in uenced the metal artistic community for the last 20 years. The sculpture was cooperatively commissioned by the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism O ce and the City of St. George to further the IRONMAN legacy in the “Land of Endurance.” It is one of original works of art in St. George showcased by the Art Around the Corner Foundation. Share your images of the sculpture online using: #mdotsculpture IRONMAN.GreaterZion.com | 25
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ALTERNATE ROUTES FOR MAJOR HIGHWAYS State Route 9 (SR-9) State Route 9 (SR-9) is a major highway connecting Interstate-15, and the communities on the west side of Washington County (St. George, Washington, Santa Clara, Ivins) to Hurricane, LaVerkin, Toquerville, Springdale and Zion National Park on the east. Motorists are encouraged to avoid SR9 during the race on May 7 from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please use the following alternate routes:
Southbound I-15 Use Exit 27 (Anderson Junction) toward Toquerville, LaVerkin, Hurricane, Springdale and Zion National Park on the east. Avoid Exit 16.
Northbound I-15 Avoid Exit 16. Instead, continue north to Exit 27 (Anderson Junction) toward Toquerville, La Verkin, Hurricane, Springdale and Zion National Park on the east.
SR9 from Springdale, Zion National Park Avoid westbound SR9 in Hurricane. Instead, use SR-17 north to access I-15.
SR9 from Hurricane Avoid westbound SR9. Instead, use SR-9 east to SR-17 north to access I-15.
SR59 from Apple Valley, Hildale, Colorado City Avoid westbound SR9 in Hurricane. Instead, use SR-9 east to SR-17 north to access I-15.
State Route 7 (SR7/Southern Parkway) State Route 7 (SR-7/Southern Parkway) is a major highway connecting St. George to State Route 9 in Hurricane and other communities on the east. SR-7 will be closed in both directions from the SR-9 interchange to Warner Valley Road with no vehicle access from 4:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please consider the following alternate routes:
Hurricane to St. George Area SR7 is closed in both directions from Warner Valley Road to the SR 9 interchange. SR9 has only one lane of tra c in both directions. Avoid westbound SR9 in Hurricane. Instead, use SR-17 north to access I-15.
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St. George to Hurricane, La Verkin, Springdale, Zion National Park SR-7 is closed in both directions from Warner Valley Road to the SR-9 interchange. Use I-15 northbound to Exit 27 (Anderson Junction) toward Toquerville, La Verkin, Hurricane, Springdale and Zion National Park on the east.
State Route 18 (SR-18) State Route 18 (SR18) is a major highway connecting St. George and other the communities in southern Washington County to Dammeron Valley, Veyo, Brookside, Central, and Enterprise on the north. Motorists are encouraged to avoid SR18 between St. George and Veyo during the race on May 7 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. If you must use SR-18, expect a lane-shift con guration and delays. Additional detours will be encountered as vehicles enter or leave St. George. Please consider the following alternate routes:
Southbound At Veyo, turn onto W. Center Street/Gunlock Drive and follow Gunlock Drive to Santa Clara/St. George. Southbound tra c only.
Southbound (Large Trucks) From Enterprise, use SR-18 eastbound toward Cedar City/I-15.
Northbound (Large Trucks) From St. George, use I-15 to Cedar City before heading west on SR18.
GETTING AROUND Please be aware of these event-related tra c impacts so you can adjust your plans to minimize the impacts to your day. This may add a little bit of time to your commute or errands, but enjoy the ride and the new scenery. Plan ahead: •Get errands completed on days prior to road closures. •Plan your route to/from work. •Reschedule regular deliveries; opt for delivery times other than Saturday. •Avoid crossing the race route; nd alternative through routes.
AREAS IMPACTED Road closures apply to Saturday, May 7, unless otherwise noted. All times are approximate and subject to change.
HURRICANE Sand Hollow Road/Dixie Springs: Closures and delays from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. North of State Street/SR-9: Road closures and delays from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. Businesses along SR-9 in the Legacy Park/Fairgrounds Area/5300 West: Road closures and detours from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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ST. GEORGE Monday-Sunday, May 2-8 All-day street closures include: •Tabernacle from Main to 300 W. •Main Street from 100 S. to the Advenire and Zions Bank entrances Expect delays on routes around the IRONKids race (9 a.m., Tuesday), Parade of Athletes (5:30 p.m., Tuesday) and the Land of Endurance Fun Run (8:30 a.m., Thursday), primarily around Town Square.
ST. GEORGE Red Hills Parkway: Road closures and delays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Telegraph Street: Closures and delays from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Snow Canyon Parkway: Road closures and delays 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Washington Parkway: Closures and delays from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ledges Parkway: Road closures and delays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Main Street: Closures and delays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Diagonal: Road closures and delays from 9 a.m. (Saturday) to 3 a.m. (Sunday)
Buena Vista Boulevard: Closures and delays from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Blu from Sunset Boulevard to Snow Canyon Parkway: road closures and delays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Green Spring Drive: Closures and delays from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Blu from W 1250 North to Sunset Blvd.: Road closures and delays from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
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Dixie Drive: Delays 9 a.m. (Saturday) to 2 a.m. (Sunday)
Snow Canyon Drive: Closures and delays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Center Street: Closures and delays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Kwavasa Drive: Closures and delays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
VEYO/GUNLOCK Hwy. 91/Gunlock Road: Closures and delays 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Southbound one-way tra c only from Veyo to Highway 91.
Main Street from Diagonal to 100 South: closed from 7:00 a.m. (Saturday) to 2 a.m. (Sunday) Tabernacle Street from 400 East to 300 West: Closed all day. St. George Boulevard: Closed at the intersection of Main Street from 10 a.m. (Saturday) to 2 a.m. (Sunday) For a complete list of road closures, detailed maps, detours and spectator information, visit IRONMAN. GreaterZion.com by scanning the QR code.
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Event Basics Nearly 20,000 visitors from around the world will be in town for the IRONMAN® World Championship. They will bring $25-30 million in economic impact to the businesses in the area. We encourage residents and businesses to prepare for the event by adapting your normal schedules so you can join in the activities and support the event.
Update your website, social media, and Google listing – let these visitors, and your regular guests, know when you’re open and any other vital info
Be aware of the event, its impacts, and its rewards for you and your business.
Consider Adaptations
To Do Sta up – approximately 20,000 visitors will be in town Stock up – don’t run out of food, co ee, wine, beer, spirits – consider items triathletes and international visitors are going to desire Spi up – show o to the world, putting your best foot forward in appearance and cleanliness Educate your sta – make them prepared, share resources and instruct 30 | IRONMAN.GreaterZion.com
Advise regular deliveries and delivery drivers of access or alternative access; possibly switch delivery days, if needed
Add extended hours – open early to accommodate spectators on event day, stay open later to accommodate the event schedule Bring your business out front – if you’re on the route or on a closed street, consider bringing products to the sidewalk, increase outdoor dining/seating options, or even o ering to-go items for those passing by. If you serve alcohol, with increased outdoor seating, consider extending your liquor license.
If you don’t normally serve grab-and-go, consider such for Race Day spectators. On Saturday (race day), consider a day of service and volunteer instead of being open.
Embrace the Event Make IRONMAN specials – it doesn’t have to be a discount, but name a sushi roll, drink, sandwich or something IRONMAN. Get involved – volunteer, attend events, check out the IRONMAN Village. Invite your customers and clients to get involved. Let them know you support the event.
Hang welcome banners, balloons, and encourage sta to dress in themes of IRONMAN – make it a party all week! Use social event hashtags: #IM70WC, #mdotsculpture, #Kumukahi, #LandofEndurance, #IRONMAN, #GreaterZion and tag @greaterzionutah and @cityofstgeorge.
t’s safe to say the average person is acutely aware of triathlons and their extreme di culty. In many ways, triathletes appear to have “superhuman powers.” After all, they display unwavering discipline, endurance, and the will to nish a race despite the urge to collapse from utter exhaustion. With dogged determination and their minds set on the nish line, and on a world stage, triathletes swim, bike, and run a long distance without stopping. Meanwhile, the rest of us watch in complete awe.
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Triathlons can be described as some of the most brutally intense athletic competitions that push people to the edge of their limits – only a very small percentage of the world’s population has trained their minds and bodies to withstand the physically demanding, aweinspiring, ultimate test of human endurance. And today, some of the most well-known triathlons in the world include the IRONMAN and the IRONMAN 70.3 events, which have found a home here in Greater Zion.
What Makes a Triathlon “Are all triathlons the same?” Sometimes, triathlon distances are tailored to t the unique terrain of a course, but typically popular events like IRONMAN and the Olympics have standardize course lengths and endurance tests athletes are accustomed to. 32 | IRONMAN.GreaterZion.com
Sure, total distance is one way to gauge a race’s di culty, but it isn’t everything. With cycling for example, a number of factors a ect an athlete’s cycling performance, such as heat, wind, and gradient (slope) of the road, and let’s not forget, those challenging uphill stretches. The IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon series has been called the “behemoth of triathlon” for good reason. The full-distance IRONMAN course involves a 2.4-mile swim; a 112-mile bike ride, (visualize St. George to Las Vegas being 119.4 miles); and a marathon distance 26.2mile run (Toquerville to St. George is 23.2 miles), totaling 140.6 miles. The IRONMAN 70.3 is a half-distance IRONMAN and is a faster, more intense race. But it’s not “easy” by any measure. The IRONMAN 70.3 course consists of a 1.2mile swim, biking 56 miles (think of Cedar City being 52.2 miles from St. George), and a 13.1-mile run (like a three to four hour walk at a regular pace), totaling 70.3 miles.
What it Takes to Finish an IRONMAN The rst person to complete IRONMAN in 1978 was a taxi cab driver named Gordon Haller, who nished rst with a time of 11:46:40. Now, top athletes are doing it in under eight hours. Race participants are given 17 hours to complete the IRONMAN race course; the average time is 12 hours and 35 minutes. The swim portion typically accounts for 10% of the time, the bike is 50%, the run is 38%, and transitions take 2%. However, all times are highly-dependent upon the athlete too, as well as other factors. On average, 95% of people who nish an IRONMAN do it in under 16 hours. During the 2019 IRONMAN World Championship, Jan Frodeno came in rst for men at 7:51:13 and Anne Haug took the top spot for women at 8:40:10. As for the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in St. George,
Gustav Iden took rst place for men at 3:37:13 and for women, Lucy Charles-Barclay came in rst at 4:00:20. The last nisher in St. George this May is expected to cross the nish line at 1:13 a.m. Sunday morning. Granted, they start later than the pros, but as mentioned earlier, for some, IRONMAN can take 1216 hours to complete.
A Triathlete’s Perspective of the St. George Course Mark Allen has taken home six IRONMAN World Championship titles over his athletic career. Recently, he was watching a broadcast of the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship and it reminded him of how di cult it is to prepare for the St. George course. “It’s not like Kona [the original home of the IRONMAN World Championship], where things are a little more gradual in a sense, you don’t have any true climbs,” said Allen. “In St. George, you do have true climbs. The marathon in Hawaii is not quite as hilly as the one in St George. So that course is going to require some speci c preparation if you’re going to do well there.” One of the keys, he said, is that triathletes really push their e ort on the bike on the climbs late in the race as they’re likely fatiguing. That endurance occurs simply by going out and doing long bike rides on rolling terrain with climbs. Even more important is how someone gets ready for the marathon, he said. If he were going to be doing that marathon, he would do a lot of runs where he is pushing on long, long upgrades, to get that sense of load on his body. Aaron Metler is one of St. George’s own elite marathon athletes, and he’s also the manager of races and events for St. George City. Metler fell in love with the sport of running and ran throughout high school and college. When he moved to St. George to take
an internship with St. George City, he was on the team that put on the renowned St. George Marathon. Seeing the winner cross the nish line during his rst St. George Marathon as a sta member was a mesmerizing site to him. He said the whole town came behind the event like the Super Bowl, and he knew he needed to run the event, and his goal then became to not only run it, but to win it. He immediately started studying the top athletes who won the marathon and how they trained, dedicating himself to taking on the grueling routine of 100 miles or more a week, 16-25 miles a day, six days a week. In his debut in the St. George Marathon, he ended up winning with a time of 2:22:08. On top of 10 St. George Marathons, he has also run four half marathons in Japan, the Boston and Chicago Marathons, and various other half marathons and shorter events across the country.
Boston Marathon vs. IRONMAN In comparison to an IRONMAN, the legendary Boston Marathon only involves running. The 26.2-mile race starts in the town of Hopkinton, taking runners on a series of hills, particularly the dreaded, “Heartbreak Hill” between miles 20 and 21 in Newton. In 2019, more than 26,600 runners crossed the nish line at the Boston Marathon, with the overall average time of 3 hours and 53 minutes. Like the Boston Marathon, IRONMAN’s run course is 26.2-miles, however, these incredible athletes run the course after swimming 2.4 miles and biking 112 miles. To date, the top run times are 2:34 for IRONMAN and 1:06 for the IRONMAN 70.3 race. “The IRONMAN course is super unique to other IRONMAN courses as it is one of the most di cult in the world,” says Metler. “It has plenty of elevation gain and usually hot temperatures. The course is grueling in an IRONMAN competition after swimming, and biking, and for that reason it continues to be a fantastic challenge for the phenomenal athletes that are already up for a di cult challenge of doing an IRONMAN.”
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Competition is Heating Up Kristian Blummenfelt is a Norwegian triathlete and Olympic gold medalist who held the IRONMAN 70.3 record when he claimed the IRONMAN world record for the full-distance race, shattering it on his rst try in November 2021, winning the IRONMAN triathlon in Cozumel, Mexico. After swimming, running, and cycling a combined distance of 140.6 miles, the clock read 7:21:12, breaking the previous world record by more than six minutes. Now, Blummenfelt and three other pro athletes are raising the bar with the much-hyped “Sub7Sub8 Project,” which involves two male athletes and two female athletes. In the male category: Blummenfelt and Alistair Brownlee, a two-time Olympic champion from Britain, are striving to nish an IRONMAN in under seven hours, hence “Sub7.” In the female category, Nicola Spirig (2012 Olympic champion) and Lucy Charles-Barclay (2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion) are aiming at completing an IRONMAN in under eight hours (Sub8). If any of them succeed, IRONMAN history could be made in St. George in May. “First of all, it’s really cool to be able to take part in it. It’s just two guys who got the o er — myself and Alistair Brownlee,” said Blummenfelt. “It’s going to be something that’s giving myself and the whole team a lot of motivation for next year because it’s a really tough task and we will have to turn every stone we can to see where we can gain minutes to be able to get under that seven-hour barrier. It’s like another very fun goal to chase.” In 2022, Kristian Blummenfelt will be joined by another Norwegian sensation, Gustav Iden (he won the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship title in St. George), who’s become a growing threat in the triathlon space. The world will be watching as the extraordinary Norwegians challenge the 6’4” Jan Frodeno, born in 34 | IRONMAN.GreaterZion.com
Cologne, Germany and known as the modern-day GOAT (Greatest of All Time) at the two IRONMAN World Championships this year in St. George and Kona. Many athletes believe the Olympics to be the pinnacle of their athletic careers, however, others consider the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona as the apex of the sport, and Olympic success appears to be Frodeno’s launchpad for dominating long-distance triathlons. He was the 2014 IRONMAN 70.3 Champion in St. George and debuted in Kona in 2014, coming in third, but in 2015, 2016, and 2019, he came out on top in the men’s races. Considering the erce competition, all eyes will be on Blummenfelt, Brownlee, Iden, Frodeno, Spirig, and Charles-Barclay in 2022-2023. With Covid-19 cancellations and delays, it’s been more than two and a half years since the last IRONMAN World Championship. Everything is new, in many respects, and all eyes will be on St. George, anticipating the outcomes. The World Championship is already living up to the race theme of Kumukahi – a new beginning. “Come May 2022, a new page will be written, and for the rst time in a generation, it really is all up for grabs. Combine that with the performances we have seen through 2021 – and more athletes than ever will arrive in Utah believing, truly, that they can be the IRONMAN World Champion,” wrote John Levison for Tri247.
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n Sept. 18, 2021, St. George o ered a warm welcome to over 3500 athletes and 11,000 visitors from across the globe as it hosted the 2021 IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship – no small feat. Now, the postponed 2021 IRONMAN® World Championship is leaving Hawaii for the rst time since its inception in 1978 and St. George was selected to host again, a huge testament to our local municipalities, public agencies, volunteers, and residents for working as one to make this remarkable event a success. The million-dollar question, “How on Earth does our community make an IRONMAN appear e ortless when there are so many moving parts?” That’s mindboggling, but the glimpse you’re about to see of what it takes to host an IRONMAN event, and the sheer amount of e ort that goes into race day, will show you how the bonds of this community run deeper than the iron permeating our “red rock country.”
St. George. Last year, Utah Barricade divided the race route into six areas, and they had 13 certi ed technicians working the race all day, not including the laborers/ aggers. Altogether, Utah Barricade monitored approximately 56 miles of roadway utilizing 27 electric arrow/message boards, 60 water barriers, 130 miscellaneous signs, 380 warning signs, 700 additional delineation devices, and 6,500 cones, as well as ags, bags, and re ective to dress the equipment up to Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) standards. “During past IRONMAN events, SR-9 in Hurricane, near the start of the race would need nearly 500 pieces of equipment. During last year’s IRONMAN, we used nearly 1600 pieces of equipment in that same location and we experienced a similar demand throughout most of the bike course,” said Hughes.
UDOT Gets Involved in IRONMAN Showing Us the Way Dave Hughes is the regional manager of Utah Barricade Company, and like they have done for many previous IRONMAN races, Utah Barricade set up tra c control for the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship course in
In addition to Utah Barricade, the UDOT came in to help. Matt Rhodes, permits o cer at UDOT, said the agency’s biggest role was making sure the state routes were functioning during IRONMAN to ensure the tra c was able to get to their destinations during the event. IRONMAN.GreaterZion.com | 35
Local Police Departments and City Departments Play a Big Role
“This was not only on the routes the event was impacting, but all of the routes in Washington County. We had a great team helping to ensure the tra c control was set up and functioning properly,” said Rhodes. UDOT’s tra c operations center is nothing short of impressive; it monitors tra c using a live-fed, closed-circuit TV system. During the event, UDOT’s operators keep track of the tra c ows and make adjustments if warranted. Kevin Kitchen is the senior communications manager of UDOT Region Four. Kitchen said UDOT can detect migration patterns for major events
Curtis Spragg is the captain of the St. George City Police Department, which was involved in IRONMAN in many ways. Last year, the department coordinated e orts with other law enforcement agencies and city resources to provide a safe venue for athletes and spectators. This included multiagency meetings to ensure the race route provided a safe environment for the athletes as they compete, while at the same time allowing for adequate tra c ow for local residents to get around town with the least amount of impact possible. The department even worked with the Utah National Guard and the Utah Highway Patrol to bring in a special team with proper equipment designed to detect dangerous materials around the race venue. The Utah Highway Patrol also provides a helicopter to y over the course throughout the event. “This allows a bigger view of the course which results in the ability to foresee potential dangers to the athletes, tra c congestion issues and overall security of the venue,” said Spragg. Spragg said there is no way the department could take on this type of event without the assistance of other important departments within the city. “For instance, Public Works provides terri c insight into current road conditions along the course, ongoing road improvement projects they are undertaking, tra c ow concerns, and other valuable ideas that are unique to their perspective based on their role within the city.”
between urban centers, such as Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. As such, their Tra c Operations Center works with their Communications Division to develop a traveler information plan to appeal to driver behavior and level tra c peaks when possible. The plan coordinates the timing and location of roadway messages, web and app channels, social media messaging and media outreach. 36 | IRONMAN.GreaterZion.com
The Parks and Recreation Department are our local experts with all things pertaining to the beautiful parks and hosting athletic events within our city. Spragg said they play a huge role, which entails maintaining our local parks in such a manner that they are well groomed, the trash bins are emptied to prevent litter and other debris from spilling out, restrooms are clean and adequately stocked, and the overall beauty of these public places is showcased for visitors and locals to enjoy.
“Think how incredible it is to be the rst city to ever host the IRONMAN World Championships outside of Kona, Hawaii!” he said. “This speaks volumes about the beautiful area in which we live, but it also says even more about our local community members who come out to provide service that starts with the 3 a.m. bus loading for the athletes and doesn’t end until the athletes pick up their gear at the end of the day.” Jason Williams is the Chief of Police at the Washington City Police Department. Like the St. George Police Department, his department wears many hats during IRONMAN. He described last year’s IRONMAN, and how it meant 48 road closures in Washington City. “We have nearly 60 sta that are needed to maintain the course with the closures. Tra c that comes to a hard closure will be re-routed to a controlled closure so that they can proceed to their desired destination without causing a great impact on the race course.” During last year’s IRONMAN, Williams recalled a unique storm that blew in and unleashed some pounding rain. “This did not phase the athletes nor did it change our commitment to keeping the race course safe,” he said. “We got a little wet and cold but we were able to dry out before the race was through our city.”
“We want our city to ‘feel like home’ when these athletes arrive,” said Williams. We are grateful to be considered as host and placed on a worldwide stage for an event that has a great reputation and true sense of accomplishment by the athletes when they compete and nish.”
Managing the Health of Athletes David Blodgett, director of the Southwest Utah Public Health Department, shared how his department was one of the local organizations eager to get involved in volunteer e orts around the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. They kindly provided a large number of volunteers for the event, including equipment that was used by healthcare and other partners. “Some of our sta were involved in planning e orts, and we serve on the medical event planning committee,” said Blodgett. Christian Millward, MD, was the medical director for the 2021 event, meaning he was in charge of helping to arrange sta ng for the event, requiring him to work closely with other practitioners and medical sta . They needed to make sure they had quali ed personnel for the swim and also at the transition areas and medical tent at the end, he explained.
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“We never know quite what will come up during the race. Sometimes, it may just be a really boring and quiet day in the medical tent, and there are other times where you have major medical events, bike crashes, abrasions, dehydration, heat and coldrelated illnesses, swim-in-water-related illnesses, etc. This can provide for an entertaining day,” said Millward. Millward spoke of a man who broke his collarbone on his bike and he continued to nish the run and the entire race. “A good example of endurance,” he said. He said they have had really cold years where people are extremely cold coming out of the water, and have a di cult time communicating because they are chattering and shaking so much. He said it is always amazing to watch as they are struggling to even speak, and then be very articulate once they warm up. Millward thinks the most important thing is how all of these medical personnel truly work great together. Many times they have never teamed up before, but they create a great team and uni ed approach to truly taking care of the athletes. It’s always remarkable to him to see that very few people are transported to the hospital as they take care of most of the issues onsite, he said. Sometimes, he said, even spectators get motivated to do something [e.g. participate in an athletic event] just by watching others complete and IRONMAN event. “The overall camaraderie and interaction with IRONMAN, the community, the athlete, etc. is just amazing. That, in and of itself, is inspiring.”
Steve Ikuta works with Intermountain Healthcare as the medical liaison o cer between the medical team and IRONMAN sta . He collaborates, communicates, and teams with race sta , medical directors, the Utah Health Emergency Response Team, Rocky Vista University, various EMS agencies, and various city and county emergency operations centers during the event. During last year’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, Intermountain Healthcare provided clinical and non-clinical support. Every IRONMAN is supported by two Intermountain Healthcare providers serving as medical directors, said Ikuta. They provided telemedicine capability with their on-duty emergency department physicians and medical directors via iPads. They also provided non-clinical personnel to track the disposition of athletes as they enter either the T1 medical tent and/or the nish line medical tent. With last year’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship bringing athletes from di erent countries who speak di erent languages, his team provided onsite interpreters who used either video and/or audio interpretation. The application they used has the video capability of streaming interpreters of 39 di erent languages, and can interpret over 200 other languages via audio,” said Ikuta.
The Wheels on the Bus Lane Hadlock is the director of transportation for Washington County School District. He says working with IRONMAN has been a very unique experience, noting how their expertise and organization is unsurpassed. Their preparation on behalf of the school district provided an e cient, on-time arrival for participants and spectators. Forty-eight drivers, transportation department sta members, and school district sta members all
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worked together. At Town Square, every 10 minutes, eight buses were loaded and departed for Sand Hollow to unload and then return for another group, he said. “Many athletes and spectators commented on how well organized the event was. A common comment was how kind everyone treated them,” he said. “All of the athletes and spectators had left when a senior female swimmer, who had timed out, asked me if all of the buses had left. I told her they had, but I would give her a ride back to Town Square.” “She was crying and disappointed and thanked me many times on the way back. She was originally from England and had participated for many years in events all around the world. She said the kindness of people here and the beauty of the area made this one of her favorite experiences even though she had timed out.”
Bikes in the Air and Everywhere During the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, the airport had an incredible number of passengers y into St. George from all over the world. “If they were athletes, they had a bicycle with them,” said Richard Stehmeier, airport manager at St. George Regional Airport. In most cases, the bikes were expensive (somewhere between $5,000 to $15,000 or more), he explained. As a result, there were lots of bikes in expensive cases coming into St. George. The ights were full and the aircraft baggage holds were not big enough to hold the athletes’ bags and bikes together, he said. “We had lots of people get o the airplane expecting their bike to be in the baggage claim area and then it didn’t arrive. For the most part,
they were very understanding and were told that their bike would be delivered to their hotel the next day or later that evening.” Skywest Airlines, together with their partners, American, United and Delta, stepped up and sent trucks down to Las Vegas to pick up rerouted bikes the rst day of the rush. Then they really stepped up and sent aircraft from Salt Lake City with no passengers, just bikes onboard, to make sure the athletes got their bikes when they needed them, he said. “They did the same thing after the race was over. There were literally bikes, in their cases, lined up on the baggage ramp in rows of 50 feet or longer. They were loaded on the plane (with no passengers) and sent on their way to one of the hubs that we y to. Really was amazing to see that many bikes sitting on the parking ramp waiting for a ride.” “By the way, the rental car vendors at the airport rented over 600 cars in three days before the event kicked o . Can’t wait for the next one.” As the May IRONMAN World Championship approaches, Greater Zion acknowledges and appreciates all the work of the local public safety, medical, and all industry professionals who invest both paid and volunteer time into these events … events that drive our economy. It wouldn’t be possible without you!
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