Course Overview
A turn-by-turn look at the 140.6 Miles of the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN® World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission
The Land of Endurance
For the first time ever, the IRONMAN World Championship Course covers 140.6 miles of spectacular desert terrain in the Land of Endurance. The course overview showcases some of the most iconic landscapes in Greater Zion. The experience here will expose athletes to an environment of extremes. In a land sculpted by persistence and determination, proven champions will navigate a path through two iconic state parks, seven enthusiastic communities, and a fragile desert reserve, as they rise to conquer one of the most prestigious and striking events in the world. It is Kumukahi – a new beginning.
SWIM 2.4 miles
Roka Swim – Sand Hollow State Park, Hurricane
Plunge Into a Desert Oasis
Sand Hollow Reservoir in Hurricane is one of most unique and scenic swim venues on the IRONMAN circuit. Athletes start and finish the swim from the main boat ramp at Sand Hollow State Park. 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. Athletes will have a single loop four-turn course to navigate their 2.4-mile swim. 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.
bike 112 miles
Bike Course – Hurricane, Washington, St. George, Santa Clara, and Ivins Ride Through Sand, Lava and StoneSand Hollow Reservoir
Athletes transition from the Swim to the Bike and begin the 112-mile ride in the parking lot of Sand Hollow State Park. As they exit the park, athletes make a left turn onto Sand Hollow Road, then turn right onto the Southern Parkway (State Route 7) which makes a steep decent through “The Gap” to Long Valley Recreation Area before climbing back up over the Hurricane Fault to the turnaround at Warner Valley. At mile 14, on the return back toward Sand Hollow, athletes encounter “The Gap” from the other direction. This is one of the hardest climbs on the entire course. In this climb, the grade ranges from 6.2% to 7%, rising over 400 feet from the valley floor in just 1.25 miles. “The Gap” is a CAT-4 climb.
Note: On May 7, from 4:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., SR-7 will be closed from Warner Valley Road to SR-9/State Street.
Nemesis Hill, Hurricane, Utah
After cresting the hill, the course flattens for a mile-long stretch that cuts through brilliant orange sand dunes as it heads toward Hurricane City. In this Mars-like environment, the “Nemisis Hill” climb starts about nineteen miles into the bike course as the road rises away from the dunes. This one-mile, steep grade climbs 292 feet with grades ranging from 5.5% up to 9%. “Nemesis” peaks out at a summit with a brilliant view of the reservoir and sand dunes in the background and the Hurricane Cliffs ahead to the east.
3000 South, Hurricane
The interchange at SR-7 and 3000 South is roughly 22 miles into the bike course.
Southern Parkway, Hurricane
This stretch of highway from Nemesis Hill to SR-9 provides beautiful 360-degree views showcasing the contrasting southwest terrain including Pine Valley Mountain, the Hurricane Cinder Knoll, and Zion National Park on the horizon.
State Route 9, Hurricane
At the north end of the Southern Parkway, athletes turn right to go down the on ramp to State Route 9 (SR-9). At the bottom of the ramp cyclists make a U-turn to head west in the contraflow lane of SR-9. This major highway connects Hurricane to Interstate 15, Washington City, St. George, and other communities on the west, and Zion National Park to the east. Cyclists will ride west on SR-9 for 5.5 miles before turning left onto Telegraph Street in Washington City. The SR-9 section features a slight downhill for four miles before another steep, two-mile climb up and over the Hurricane Fault, just past Quail Creek Reservoir. This is a CAT-5 climb rising 300 feet at a 2.7% to 5% grade.
Telegraph Street, Washington
Approximately 25 miles into the course, cyclists turn left from SR-9 onto Telegraph Street in Washington. Telegraph Street was originally the route of a telegraph line used for communication in the late 1800s. It now serves as the main thoroughfare through Washington City. Telegraph runs along the spine of the Hurricane Fault with a short, steep climb to the top of Coral Canyon and a fast downhill into the heart of the community.
Washington Parkway, Washington
At approximately 35 miles into the race, athletes turn right onto a slow, sustained climb at Washington Parkway. This hill is a bit deceiving, especially as it steepens near the overpass at I-15. Just past I-15, the course turns left for a short out-and-back stretch (two miles each way) which takes them down Buena Vista Boulevard, turning left onto Main Street and directly into the center of town, where they will turn around and head back to the Parkway.
Green Spring, Washington
After the out-and-back in Washington, cyclists return to the new section of Washington Parkway, heading toward Green Spring. This beautiful stretch of road provides stunning views into the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve framed by Pine Valley Mountain. At the top of the Parkway, the course turns left onto Green Spring Drive, heading through the scenic fairways of Green Spring Golf Course before turning right onto Red Hills Parkway. Informal viewing locations for nearby residents can be found along Washington Parkway and Green Spring Drive.
Red Hills Parkway, Washington
Once onto Red Hills Parkway, athletes enter St. George City, the largest community in Greater Zion. The course takes cyclists to the top of the red bluff overlooking the city. Red Hills Parkway skirts along the edge of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, passing Pioneer Park and the Dixie Rock. During the race this section is accessible only by foot via 200 East/Skyline Drive, or from 900 East, but it is an ideal viewing location for pedestrians who don’t mind walking up to the area.
Snow Canyon Parkway, St. George, Santa Clara, Ivins
The scenery changes again at mile 50. Red Hills Parkway becomes Snow Canyon Parkway, a beautiful stretch of road leading to the iconic Red Mountain in Ivins. The street is lined by beautiful homes and vegetation nestled between ragged sandstone cliffs and an ancient basalt lava field similar to the iconic lava fields of Kona, Hawaii. Informal viewing locations for nearby residents can be found along the Parkway.
Ivins
At mile 54, the course turns onto Center Street in Ivins. Ivins is a beautiful city that boarders a stunning range of red mountains. It is also home to Tuacahn, a remarkable outdoor theatre showcasing Broadway shows, concerts and more. Athletes will continue through the city, then turn left on Kwavasa Drive before making a right onto Old Highway 91.
Paiute Tribal Land
Along Highway 91, the course crosses through the lands of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes. The Paiutes were the original settlers of the area and their culture is an important part of the heritage here.
Gunlock to Veyo – “The Wall”
At mile 62, the course turns right on to Gunlock Road for a long, sustained climb, rising 1500 feet over 15 miles. This section takes you along the shores of Gunlock Reservoir, past black basalt rock formations and ancient cinder cones and through the town of Gunlock as you climb toward one of the most challenging sections of the course. The first real stinger comes near Eagle Mountain Ranch, at mile 71, just outside of Gunlock. For a half mile, the grade goes from 7% to 13%. Just three miles later, one of signature climbs on the course looms ahead. Locals call simply call it “The Wall.” “The Wall” is a switchback in the highway that climbs 251 feet up the side of the canyon at a 6%-12% grade, covering just less than a mile. The view of cyclists climbing the cut in the side of the mountain can be both intimidating and inspiring. At the top of “The Wall,” you enter into the town of Veyo – home of the world famous Veyo Pies.
State Route 18 (SR-18) to Snow Canyon
At mile 62, the course turns right on to Gunlock Road for a long, sustained climb, rising 1500 feet over 15 miles. This section takes you along the shores of Gunlock Reservoir, past black basalt rock formations and ancient cinder cones and through the town of Gunlock as you climb toward one of the most challenging sections of the course. The first real stinger comes near Eagle Mountain Ranch, at mile 71, just outside of Gunlock. For a half mile, the grade goes from 7% to 13%. Just three miles later, one of signature climbs on the course looms ahead. Locals call simply call it “The Wall.” “The Wall” is a switchback in the highway that climbs 251 feet up the side of the canyon at a 6%-12% grade, covering just less than a mile. The view of cyclists climbing the cut in the side of the mountain can be both intimidating and inspiring. At the top of “The Wall,” you enter into the town of Veyo – home of the world famous Veyo Pies.
State Route 18 (SR18), St. George
From the top of Snow Canyon, the steep decent continues back toward town. This steep, and mostly straight, downhill section can be a gamechanger for strong cyclists who never let up during the downhill section – and athletes get to enjoy it twice. This 7.5-mile section features downhill grades from 3% to 9%. On loop one, this section starts at 85 miles. After completing the first loop (approximately mile 93), cyclists will turn right onto Snow Canyon Parkway again, as they head back toward Snow Canyon for the smaller, inside loop.
Snow Canyon Drive, Ivins
At mile 97, the course turns right onto Snow Canyon Drive to take athletes up the second signature climb on the course. The stunning five-mile climb through Snow Canyon State Park features more than 1000-feet of elevation gain with grades ranging from 4% to 9%. It is rated as a CAT-2 climb. The road takes cyclists beneath dramatic red and white Navajo sandstone cliffs, towering ominously between menacing black ridges of ragged basalt. The extreme terrain of Snow Canyon was formed by tectonic uplift in a former age. The grueling climb with its striking backdrop is an endurance photographers dream location. It may be the most photographed section of a bike course in the IRONMAN world. Snow Canyon was named after Erastus and Lorenzo Snow, two early pioneer leaders in the area. It is the backdrop of several early western movies including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Electric Horseman and some early John Wayne films.
State Route 18 (SR-18), St. George
After the intense climb up Snow Canyon, cyclists get another chance to stretch the legs on the steep decent back to town. The downhill section starts at mile 102 on loop two. One former Olympic medalist said she had two first-time experiences when testing out this course. She had never gone slower on a bike than her first time up Snow Canyon, and she had never gone faster on a bike than racing back to town on SR-18. The cyclists on the second loop use the flyover to cross above Red Hills Parkway before continuing down Bluff Street to Diagonal Street.
Downtown St. George
Despite having pedaled more than 110 miles, athletes are flying as they make the left turn onto Diagonal Street on their way to Main Street and down toward the Transition (T2) on Tabernacle at Town Square. Spectators will line Diagonal Street and Main Street, specifically along the roundabout at Main and Tabernacle Street, up and to and through the Roundabout on 200 North and Diagonal Street.
Downtown, St. George
After dropping the bike off at the transition area on Tabernacle Street (T2), athletes head out on the two-loop, 26.2-mile run. Runners turn at the M-Dot sculpture in the roundabout at Tabernacle and head up Main Street for an immediate, steady uphill stretch that continues on Diagonal Street past the Gatorade Endurance Station toward Bluff Street. It doesn’t look steep, but it is definitely uphill.
Bluff Street, St. George
At roughly two miles, runners merge onto the bike path as they turn right onto Bluff Street. Just ahead, they’ll turn left and go through the tunnel under Bluff Street. After exiting the tunnel runners turn left onto the sidewalk and make a U-turn loop as they head north on the west side of Bluff Street, past the Gatorade Endurance Station. At 1250 North, the course shifts onto the bike path and goes under the south bound overpass before turning left onto Snow Canyon Parkway.
Snow Canyon Parkway, St. George
At Snow Canyon Parkway, runners get a short, steep downhill section before making the turn south on 1400 West. Working their way through the neighborhood near Royal Oaks Park, runners pass the Gatorade Endurance Station as they navigate toward the Halfway Wash bike path. This pretty, tree-lined section takes runners past another Gatorade Endurance Station before going under Sunset Boulevard as they continue to Dixie Drive.
Dixie Drive, St. George
Athletes leave the bike path at Dixie Drive and continue the downhill run past another Gatorade Endurance Station before turning left onto 100 North. Here they make a quick loop through the parking lot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where the Gatorade Endurance Station is located, then continue south on Dixie Drive to Mathis Park.
Mathis Park, St. George
At this end of the course, athletes turn left for a nice, tree-lined loop counterclockwise through Mathis Park. This will be an inviting place for spectators to cheer on the runners as they make their way through the Gatorade Endurance Station and begin the climb back toward Snow Canyon Parkway.
Return to Town, St. George
On the way back to town, the course follows a similar path with a few variations. After the aid station in the church parking lot on Dixie Drive, athletes turn right onto 100 South for a short out-and-back. The U-turn is just before Valley View Drive. Runners head back down 100 South, turn right onto Dixie Drive, then follow the Halfway Wash bike path almost to Snow Canyon Parkway. They exit the path at 1300 West before turning right again as they head toward Bluff Street. At Bluff Street, runners turn south heading down the bike path and under the Bluff Street tunnel before merging onto Diagonal Street.
Final Decent, St. George
The final two miles into town are on a gradual downhill of Diagonal, past the Gatorade Endurance Station, before turning onto Main Street toward the finish line. At the M-Dot sculpture athletes turn left on Tabernacle for a short out-and-back. This section features another Gatorade Endurance Station and ends with a U-turn just before 400 East. Runners on loop one will circle the M-Dot sculpture to head back out on the second loop. Second loop runners will turn left at the M-Dot sculpture to the Finish Line between Tabernacle and 100 South.