Although high rates of COVID-19 have paused large-scale races, St. George Races has adapted and created the SGR Flex to help the community’s runners remain active and engaged. SGR Flex is unique in that it will feature monthly events with staggered start times to discourage gatherings, beginning with the free Holiday Hustle Dec. 19.

 

“This is the world of racing at the moment,” said Aaron Metler, recreation supervisor for races and special events. “It is nice to have a first-class event that avoids large gatherings while at the same time provide the excitement and anticipation of a major event.”

 

Capped at 250 participants, each race will take place over a five-hour period with no more than 50 new runners added to the course each hour. The Holiday Hustle is the free race, intended to introduce Flex to the community.

 

“Typically, races have one start time,” Metler added. “People bunch up at the start line and take off down the course. In SGR Flex, participants will register for one of the hourly start times, and begin their run anytime they want during that hour.”

 

SGR Flex will consist of three running disciplines: paved trail, dirt trail and hill climb. The races vary in length between 2.5 and 15 kilometers.

 

The 9-race series begins with the January 23 “Run for Office” 5K and goes through November. There will be no races in July or August due to the summer heat.

 

All events feature a theme and provide socks to match the theme. Races will be chip-timed and participants will receive a finisher medal. For those who complete the full series, finisher medals will magnetically come together to form one big medal.

 

Sign up here.

St. George Races hosts a variety of half marathons, 10K, 5K, kids runs, triathlons, bike events, relays and other special events throughout the City of St. George and the Washington County Area. SGR offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities for area businesses and utilizes the efforts of hundreds of volunteers.