Sports
IRONMAN World Championship returns to Utah
ST. GEORGE, Utah — The Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, presented by the Utah Sports Commission, is rising once again in the Land of Endurance. October 28-29 will be the third IRONMAN World event hosted in St. George, Utah, in just 13 months.
“We have witnessed a cultural shift as our state emerges as a global destination for endurance sports,” said Utah Sports Commission President and CEO Jeff Robbins in a statement. “Continuing to bring IRONMAN to Utah is an easy decision as it truly epitomizes the spirit of Utah: The State of Sport.”
Following a COVID hiatus, St. George, Utah, welcomed IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in September 2021 and, in May 2022, became the first location to host the IRONMAN World Championship outside of Hawaii since its origin in 1978.
The 2022 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, presented by the Utah Sports Commission, will have over 6,000 participants from 104 countries, regions, and territories and bring an estimated $35-40 million economic impact and $25-30 million media value to the state.
“St. George has been home to a number of IRONMAN events in prior years, most recently the IRONMAN World Championship,” said Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox in a statement. “With each instance, we’ve observed unwavering support from the community and admiration from the athletes, which proves that there’s a special bond between Southwest Utah and IRONMAN.”
The swim portion of the race is in a reservoir, and the bike and run courses are described by event organizers as “hilly.” Most competitors will fly into St. George Airport.