Washington County, partners say 2025 will be last Ironman staged in St. George

Washington County and community partners said the 2025 Ironman triathlon will be the last Ironman event staged in St. George and the Greater Zion area, county presenters said, citing increased population along the race route, growing demands on volunteers and local staff, and what they called “Ironman fatigue.”

Organizers told the meeting they expect about 2,700 athletes to compete in the final local edition; by comparison, 1,885 athletes checked in last year. County presenters said the Ironman series has brought millions of dollars into the local economy over the years but also requires substantial local spending to stage the races.

The decision closes a chapter that began in 2010: the presenters said Saint George and Greater Zion have hosted 17 Ironman events since 2010, including multiple Ironman 70.3 North American championships and at least one Ironman World Championship. County presenters said the area staged three world championships in a 13‑month span and, with adjacent North American championships, ran five major events in roughly two and a half years—an intense schedule they said contributed to community and staff strain.

A county staff member said the region will still see local participation: slightly more than 200 competing athletes are expected to be local tri-club members. "We wanna cheer them on," the staff member added, describing the mix of elite, amateur and adaptive athletes who participate.

Speakers emphasized the mixed legacy of hosting Ironman. "This event changed the culture of this area, both from a health perspective and a fitness perspective," a county staff member said, calling the decision to step back “bittersweet.” Another presenter described the downtown race atmosphere and volunteer energy as a signature community moment.

Officials did not provide a formal vote or ordinance; they framed the announcement as a decision by Washington County and its community partners, not the result of a legislative motion. The presenters said the county and municipalities will maintain the relationship with Ironman and did not rule out future bids: "We never say never," a county staff member said.

Organizers and presenters did not specify a dollar figure for the annual economic impact in the meeting transcript, and they did not present a written cost breakdown during the discussion. They said the race both brings "millions" to the local economy and costs a lot to stage, and that rising local population and volunteer demands motivated the decision to end local hosting after 2025.

The county did not announce any formal follow-up tasks, reporting deadlines or required approvals tied to the decision during the presentation. Community members, volunteer groups and event partners were cited as stakeholders whose input helped shape the choice to stop hosting after 2025.