Overview The Zion Half Marathon is a point-to-point road half marathon run by Vacation Races, part of Motiv Sports, through the gateway towns of Zion National Park in southern Utah. Runners start on Kolob Terrace Road in Virgin, follow Highway 9 east along the Virgin River and climb gently into Springdale, finishing at Cable Mountain Lodge just outside the park's south entrance. The course climbs about 720 feet. There is one distance, with a four-hour cutoff. On site Race weekend opens with the expo and bib pickup at Springdale Town Park the afternoon before the race, where runners collect their shirts. There is no parking at the start, so shuttles leave hotels in Springdale and La Verkin before dawn. The first mile runs on a partly closed Highway 9, and most of the course then follows the paved path beside the highway. The five aid stations, about two miles apart, are cup-free. Runners carry a bottle or a folding cup, and waste is sorted into compost, recycling and trash bins at every stop along the way to the finish. Every finisher gets a medal. Awards follow in front of Cable Mountain Lodge while shuttles bring spectators in from Springdale. Audience Most runners travel in for the weekend, book rooms in Springdale or La Verkin, and spend the days around the race in the park. The race page points them to the Pa'rus Trail, Weeping Rock and e-bike rides on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Some run to raise money through the Wander Project, which can cover the entry fee, and volunteers earn race credit toward a later entry. Talent and Influencers Aaron Metler holds the men's course record at 1:11:51 and Kayla Lampe the women's at 1:26:49. Kim Kapinos and Alan Squyres hold the masters records, and a record holder gets free entry every year the record stands. Place medals go five deep. Track record Zion was the first race Vacation Races staged, designed by founder Salem Stanley, a runner from nearby St. George. The series now runs half marathons, ultras and trail festivals in and around national parks from Yosemite to the Great Smoky Mountains, and Motiv Sports, which also runs the Surf City Marathon and Bay to Breakers, owns it. Brand presence Partner logos run in a row on the race page, and Greater Zion, the regional tourism office, sits there next to HotelPlanner, which books race-weekend rooms for runners and families. Runna is the official training partner. Partners take booths at the outdoor expo, sample to runners, put product in the course aid stations and run giveaways, and each activation is set up with the partner directly.