ST. GEORGE — History repeated itself Saturday morning as JJ Santana and Sylvia Bedford won the 47th edition of the St. George Marathon.

The same two runners won the men’s and women’s races last year.

An estimated 2,400 racers participated in the half-marathon along with an estimated 4,700 more who ran the full 26.2-mile course that started in Central and finished in downtown St. George at Vernon Worthen Park.

Conditions could not have been better as a cool morning greeted racers on the start line and temperatures warmed up nicely as they ran.

The usual army of volunteers and cheering crowds that make the annual St. George event famous helped the racers through the challenging course, which featured more than 1,800 feet of descent in elevation.

St. George Mayor Michele Randall, at the finish line after the 38th annual Mayor’s Walk kicked off the proceedings early Saturday morning, told St. George News that the marathon is the city’s premier claim to fame.

“The people are what makes it special,” Randall said. “I think our staff puts on a well-run race. And then all the volunteers, our community comes out in droves to volunteer. And then also the scenery, it’s a beautiful marathon to run.”

Official results of the St. George Marathon can be seen here.

Men’s Race

Santana completed his back-to-back marathon victory in 2 hours, 16 minutes and 28 seconds, good for a 5:13 minutes per mile average.

While he lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, after consecutive marathon wins he said that St. George is starting to feel like home.

“Always. I race in St. George more than I race in Las Vegas,” Santana said. “So I consider this pretty much my hometown, almost.”

While most of the course ran downhill, Santana said that there were some grueling uphill portions as well.

“There’s a lot of downhill, but there’s like five miles of uphill and four of them are in a row,” he said. “So it’s a brutal up and down. This is fast, but it’s harder.”

Even though he won last year, Santana said he did not come into this year’s race expecting to win.

“I never expect anything because the marathon is brutal, and there’s a lot of good athletes out here,” he said. “Everyone wants to win. But I always expect to do my best and if I do that, I’ll have a chance.”

Crossing the finish line second was Connor Weaver of Lewisville, Texas, with his time of 2:18:30.

“I knew I could finish on the podium. I was going for the win but was probably too aggressive,” Weaver said, adding that stomach problems forced him to stop at a porta potty during the run.

“Did not go as planned. But it was great,” Weaver added. “It’s a great atmosphere. I loved racing in it. I definitely want to come back and give it another go.” 

While this was his first time running in St. George, Weaver ran in college at Brigham Young University and he’s a veteran of the Boston Marathon and the well-known Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota.

“This one was definitely harder,” Weaver said. “It just takes a toll on your quads. You take it for granted before you race in it but it was tough.”

Rounding out the top five male finishers were St. George’s own Clinton Rhoton (2:19:47), Dustin Bybee of Alpine (2:19:48) and Jonathan Kotter of Salt Lake City (2:20:08).

Women’s Race

Bedford broke the tape with her arms raised in victory and a big smile after posting her winning time of 2:36:53, good for a 5.59 minutes per mile average.

“It’s faster than what you would run on a flatter course, but it’s very much a challenge on your quads,” Bedford said. “Your legs get pretty beat up after going down.”

“There are some really good uphills on this race too,” she added. “I think those tend to get overlooked until you’re out there and you realize, oh wow, there’s some good climbs too.”

Bedford ran the St. George Marathon eight times and now has won it twice in a row. She won the first of her three total titles in 2019.

“This was not my fastest time, I think this was my third-fastest maybe,” Bedford said. “But I’m coming off an injury so I’m still super happy with it. Just went out there and gave it all I had and came out with a win, so I can’t complain.”

The runner from South Jordan said that the community is what keeps bringing her back to run in St. George.

“I’ve got so many friends here,” she said. “It’s so fun to see familiar faces that you don’t see that often. College friends and people from high school and friends I work with.”

Finishing second in the women’s race was Nicole Lyons of Meridian, Idaho, whose whole family was on hand to see her finish in 2:38:24.

“There were a lot of moments towards the end where I just kind of wanted the downhill to stop because my legs were hurting so bad,” Lyons said. “And then as soon as I got down the hill and had to go up the hill I thought, oh, I don’t like this either.”

Lyons completed her third St. George Marathon.

“I love the course, it’s beautiful,” Lyons said. “Everybody is so friendly. The city of St. George is so welcoming. When I run I like to have no distractions. Nothing in my ears, no music, no anything.

“So it’s so fun being out on this beautiful course and being able to enjoy God’s creations,” she added.

Rounding out the top five female finishers were Provo’s Kassi Harmon (2:43:11), Grace Clements of Buchanan, Georgia (2:43:31) and local runner Amy Machen of Ivins (2:44:17).

St. George Originals

Local fan-favorite and four-time winner Aaron Metler, who moonlights as Recreation Coordinator for the City of St. George, posted a time of 2:27:04, good for 12th overall.

“I love being the one that represents the community,” Metler said. “We have a fantastic community and a great staff that works here. Just great people and there’s nothing better than representing St. George.”

John Beckstrand, now of Logandale, Nevada but a longtime local favorite, posted a time of 2:56:14 and finished 130th overall.

“I started this craziness 22 years ago,” Beckstrand said. “All my brothers, my dad, they all thought I was crazy for running marathons. Now they’re all doing it. I got the whole family involved. 

“It’s a fun family tradition,” he added. “We look forward to that first Saturday in October every year. It’s like a party for us.”

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