Over 7,000 runners enjoy return of St. George Marathon; Aaron Metler, Kodi Kleven top finishers – St George News

By Rock Withers Last updated Oct 2, 2021

NS. GEORGE – Records were broken, personal bests achieved and over 7,000 people took to the streets early Saturday for the 45th St. George Marathon.

After the race was canceled last year due to COVID restrictions, runners, competitors and fans spoke about how lucky they were to be back in one of the fastest, most fun marathons in the country.

“People are excited to just be outside,” St. George Mayor Michele Randall told St. George News. “We want to go back to normal”

The event began with the Mayor’s Walk at dawn.

“It was fabulous,” said Randall. “The mini marathon made it shorter than ever, but it was great. Lots of participants. It wasn’t a quick walk, but a leisurely stroll. My kind of speed. “

That was just the beginning of the celebration, with half marathon and marathon runners starting at 7 a.m. and streaming across the finish line in Vernon Worthen Park by noon.

Men’s race

Local hero Aaron Metler started well and never gave up the lead. He completed the 26.2 mile route in two hours, 17 minutes and one second.

Aaron Metler of St. George wins the men’s race at the 45th St. George Marathon, St. George, Utah, October 2, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

“It feels great to just run again,” said Metler, barely breathless as he conducted interviews at the finish line. “After last year’s COVID, I actually had COVID during last year’s marathon so I would have missed it either way.

“But just to run again and see the community come out, the other runners, it was a perfect day, a beautiful day,” he added.

The win was a record fourth St. George Marathon title for Metler, who works as a recreational coordinator for the city of St. George. He agreed that it is fair to say he has a small home advantage.

“I have a phenomenal support system and you can’t really beat it,” said Metler. “My colleagues did all the work for me to make this race today.”

Metler said he would normally work from 2 a.m. to 8 or 9 a.m.

“They do that today. They are the real champions working on this event and making it known to the community, ”he added.

Metler won his other titles in 2010, 2014 and 2015. He completed his 10th St. George Marathon on Saturday and his winning time of 2:17:01 was a personal best.

“At mile 11, I had the feeling that this could be my day,” said Metler. “In the end it worked out pretty well. I had a bit of cramps at mile 23, but I was able to fight my way through a little and had a big enough head start to hold out. “

Metler said he loved representing St. George and the marathon was his preferred way of doing it.

“NS. George Community, this one is for everyone. It’s pretty cool,” said Metler.

Runner-up Riley Cook from South Weber followed Metler over the finish line in 2:18:23.

“To be honest, it was mentally one of the toughest I’ve ever done,” said Cook. “My stomach just didn’t play along. I actually passed every single kilometer from 10 to the finish. I wanted to quit so often. “

Runners compete in the 45th St. George Marathon in St. George, Utah, October 2, 2021 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

Cook is a seasoned runner who won St. George in 2016, so his physical condition had nothing to do with nerves.

“Every sip of water I drank came back immediately,” he said. “It was hard. But you know, I was able to persevere and I was able to drive a pretty good time. “

Despite his problems, he kept up with Metler for most of the run.

“Aaron and I were together for the first seven or eight miles,” said Cook. “Then he has a small gap together. He ran strong. Hats off, he drove a great race, I just couldn’t keep up today. “

Cook said he fought so hard through the disease because he wanted to do well in a race he called his favorite.

“The organizers here put on the best race in the state,” said Cook. “I just love it.”

Alpine’s Dustin Bybee finished third with a time of 2:20:03.

“I felt great about 14.15 miles,” said Bybee. “The course was great, the course was fast, it just got difficult. Marathons are tough. “

Bybee said Metler was a little too far ahead during the run so he was chasing Cook.

“I could see Riley in his fluorescent top, Aaron was hard to see because he was white,” said Bybee. “I followed Riley and stayed with him for a while, but you have run out of real estate.”

Bybee said the marathon is the kind runners love, with lots of flat and downhill runs.

“It’s a fast course,” he said. “It’s one that is sure to pull you and you have to be ready for the descent, but if so, you will do well.”

Bybee is already looking forward to next year’s race.

“This is such a great event how they got it all off the ground,” he said. “I was very disappointed that we didn’t have it last year. And so it’s super great to be here again. And I’m also looking forward to being there again next year. “

The top five were rounded off by Orems Jaydn Asay with his fourth place of 2:21:34, and a runner from Logan, who was identified as fifth Mark S. with 2:24:31 in all marathon results.

Women races

Kodi Kleven from Orem set the course record for women in her first marathon. Not just her first St. George marathon, but her first ever marathon.

Kodi Kleven of Orem, Utah wins the women’s race at the 45th St. George Marathon, St. George, Utah, October 2, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

“It’s unbelievable what the human body can do, and it’s unbelievable what support can do,” said Kleven in a choked voice after crossing the finish line in 2:32:45.

“It’s all because of my family. It’s all because of my friends, ”she added. “It’s all because of the support and love that kept me going and feeling that hope in me.”

After running pretty much her entire life, attending high school and college, Kleven said she suffered one injury after another and had some health problems that meant she never had the opportunity to run a marathon.

“I finally felt that this is the time when I feel strong and healthy to do it,” said Kleven. “And I wanted to do it in St. George because this is probably the most exciting thing in Utah.”

Kleven said she felt she could win the race for mile 19.

“That was where I was, I feel strong, and even if that wall hits me I’ll just keep going, that’s all I can do,” she said. “The last bit was tough. On the last mile my legs were just dead, but I figured I just have to keep going. “

Second behind Kleven was Savannah Berry from Orem with a time of 2:38:26. And then St. George’s Ashley Paulson finished third in 2:39:23.

Paulson said it was either her 14th or 15th run in the St. George Marathon and it was her 93rd career marathon. She won in St. George in 2018.

Everyone in the square could recognize Paulson with her flamboyant light pink hair.

“I kept hearing: ‘Go pink! Go pink! ‘”Paulson joked after crossing the finish line. “And it just makes my heart happy. I can’t change my hair now because I’m getting so much applause! “

Runners compete in the 45th St. George Marathon in St. George, Utah, October 2, 2021 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

Paulson was just as amazed as everyone else that Kleven had set a course record in her very first marathon.

“As she passed me in Veyo, I could tell it was just solid and it would hold,” Paulson said. “My goal today was simply to drive my own race. If I was able to catch up with them in my race, great. “

She added that she could achieve her personal goal and it didn’t matter where she finished if it did.

“Victory doesn’t always cross the finish line first,” said Paulson. “For me, it’s about achieving my goals. And today I barely made my sub-2:40, but I made it and that’s a win for me. So I was excited. So excited.”

Paulson has a special place in her heart for the St. George Marathon, having run her first marathon here 21 years ago.

“It’s my favorite, hands down,” she said. “When it was stolen from us last year, you can’t help but enjoy every second of it now. You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, do you? That’s so true. Enjoy it and don’t take it for granted. “

Sarah Cummings of Park City was fourth after Paulson with a time of 2:40:59. And the top 5 were rounded off by Ogden’s Jackie Hendrickson and her time of 2:42:59.

“The course is beautiful,” said Hendrickson. “The rolling hills, you have to learn to play with them and be okay, to walk a little slower uphill and fast downhill.”

After Hendrickson was able to keep up with the leaders at the start of the race, he was separated from the front runners at Veyo, but was able to follow them to the finish line.

This was the second time for Hendrickson after running at St. George the year before the cancellation.

“That was a lot better and a lot more energetic,” she said. “Much more excitement. I definitely want to come back. “

Photo gallery

Daniel Munger of San Diego, California, the best-dressed runner in the 45th St. George Marathon, St. George, Utah, October 2, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Runners at the finish line of the 45th St. George Marathon, St. George, Utah, October 2, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Runners compete in the 45th St. George Marathon in St. George, Utah, October 2, 2021 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

Aaron Metler of St. George wins the men’s race at the 45th St. George Marathon, St. George, Utah, October 2, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Kodi Kleven of Orem, Utah wins the women’s race at the 45th St. George Marathon, St. George, Utah, October 2, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Eric George Goold came to St. George News from southwest Colorado where he worked as a radio reporter. He has worked as a journalist in five different countries for over 20 years. He graduated with a Masters in English from Kansas State University and is also a non-fiction writer. Goold was published in Sunstone Magazine and has given several public readings on local history. In his spare time he enjoys playing chess, movies and dogs.

Over 7,000 runners enjoy return of St. George Marathon; Aaron Metler, Kodi Kleven top finishers – St George News

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