(St. George, UT) - Runners get a chance to run through "Utah's Dixie" in the 30th annual St. George Half Marathon & 5K Saturday, January 21st. Steven Bingham, Recreation Manager said, "The St. George Half Marathon, 5k and Tuff Kids Race has grown from 750 runners in 2005 to 2500 runners this year. The race's presenting sponsor is Nordic Track with an expo at the Dixie Convention Center at 1835 South Convention Center Drive from Friday noon until 9:00PM with 34 vendors. There is no cost to the expo, everyone is invited to attend," he said.

Bingham said the race will impact local street traffic on Riverside Drive, River Road south of 900 South, Brigham Road and other roads near this main roads. The city sent a letter to residents in neighborhods most affected to make them aware of the inconvenince, he said. Letter

The run will be along a race course that was newly modified last year to take runners along paved city trails that wind along the Virgin River, which flows by just south of the city. Race Route Map

Along the course, runners will find paved trails that wind their way through the river valley as well as ample views of the scenery for which this part of Utah is so well-known, the red bluffs that over look the northern part of the city, as well as the edge of the Mojave Desert south and Zion National Park off in the distance, as well as the peaks of the nearby Pine Valley Mountains.

More than 2,500 runners crossed the finish line in the half marathon and 5K combined in 2011, in addition to the just over 110 kids who took part in the event's Tuff Kids Mile, Half Mile and 200-meter dash races. The rcaes begin as follows - 5K: 8:50AM; Half Marathon 9:00AM; Tuff Kids Races; Noon on Saturday morning.

For further information, go to St. George Races.