CANNONVILLE, Utah — This year the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon and 5K was held on July 15, leading runners past the beautiful hoodoos and charming small towns on Scenic Byway 12 for 20 years!
The race had higher numbers this year than the past few years. This year 165 runners registered for the 5K, and 678 for the half marathon. The running crowd featured quite a variety of backgrounds, with a lot of first-time runners. There were people from France, Netherlands, and Quebec, as well as Florida, New York, and other places all across the United States.
The water stations are always a huge hit, especially Whitney Syrett Chynoweth’s dancing, partying station in the half. In total, there are eight water stations, with over 60 volunteers who have been involved for years just for their love of the event.
Avid Fans Return Year after Year
And that volunteer personality shows, said LaRee Bybee, race committee member.
And after 20 years the race still has some avid fans. One such regular, Ben from Northern Utah, comes back every year. He says it has become a tradition. He always feels so welcome, and he says it “feels like coming home” even though he’s not from here.
Other runners are often surprised that the race is managed entirely by volunteers. First-time runners said the race was so smooth and accommodating, and so well organized.
Another runner who is over 70 years told committee members he does not mind being the last runner to come in. This year, he had to be helped along the course. “I don’t care if you have to drive me to the end,” he said defiantly, he’s still coming back next year.
From a 70-year-old regular who says he won’t stop, to a 37-year-old first-timer who decided to come randomly, to young 11-year-old 5K winners, the race has fans from all over.
Still Going Strong after 20 Years
20 years is an amazing accomplishment for a little small-town half marathon like this one. LaRee told me how impressed she was, still, that a community project could last for so long and become something so much bigger than it was.
The Bryce Canyon Half Marathon originally began as a scout project in 2003, and it has now become a huge supporter of local businesses, sports teams and community events in the Bryce Valley area. “It’s amazing to see an idea like that become a nonprofit organization,” LaRee said.
“It has been a wonderful experience to see the race grow from the very beginning,” said Kami Brinkerhoff, another committee member. “It is amazing to see a community pull together and support our event, and we hope it benefits the community in turn through tourism and community grants.”
Some of the amazing volunteers involved included Bill Scoffield, Joe Thompson, the many members of the finish line crew, the Cannonville Young Men, the Beesleys and the race committee.
The Bryce Canyon Half Marathon Committee would also like to thank UHP, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, particularly Arthur Miller, the local bus drivers — Bryce, Ward, Holly and Herb — and Bryce Canyon Shuttles for all their help with the race.
As one runner put it, “The community that [the race] brings together is what’s so great about this.” And the community plans on keeping the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon and 5K going for at least another 20 years.
– The Byway
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