Dragon's Tail Stair Climb Challenge: St. George's Most Intense Race Returns January 17, 2026

The Dragon's Tail Stair Climb Challenge returns to St. George for its second year, bringing one of the most unique and physically demanding races in Southern Utah to the Tech Ridge Staircase on January 17, 2026. Whether you're a seasoned endurance athlete or looking for a new fitness challenge, this event offers multiple race categories to test your limits against a brutal 333-stair course.

What Is the Dragon's Tail Stair Climb Challenge?

The Dragon's Tail Stair Climb Challenge is a multi-format race event hosted by the City of St. George that takes place at the Tech Ridge Staircase near Dixie Technical College. Unlike traditional road races, participants battle gravity itself, descending and ascending a towering flight of 333 stairs repeatedly throughout the competition.

The event features three distinct racing categories designed for varying fitness levels and competitive goals, plus a special "Dragon Slayer Challenge" for athletes who want to tackle all three races in one morning.

Race Categories and Start Times

5K and 1K Run/Walk (7:30 AM)

The 5K course is not for the faint of heart. Runners start at the top of the Tech Ridge stairs, traverse the rim trail, descend the steep Jerry Rice Trail, climb the challenging Cloud Drive, descend Jerry Rice again, and finish with the grueling 333-stair climb up the Dragon's Tail stairs.

The 1K course (approximately 0.8 miles) offers a shorter but still challenging option. Participants start at the top of the staircase, run across the rim to the Temple Quarry parking lot, follow the bike path to the bottom of the staircase, and finish by climbing all 333 steps.

Sprint Challenge (9:00 AM)

The Sprint Challenge runs in heats, with participants racing against the clock for the fastest time up the stairs. The competitor with the quickest ascent earns bragging rights and a special prize.

Endurance Challenge (10:00 AM)

This is where the Dragon's Tail lives up to its fearsome reputation. Participants complete as many laps as possible, with each lap consisting of a full descent and ascent of the 333-stair course. The time structure creates increasing pressure as the race progresses:

• Laps 1-5: 12 minutes per lap
• Laps 6-10: 11 minutes per lap
• Laps 11-15: 10 minutes per lap
• Laps 16-19: 9 minutes per lap
• Laps 20-24: 8 minutes per lap

Racers must wait for each new start time before beginning their next lap. Those who survive through Lap 24 race from the bottom to the top for the final time. The fastest male and female finishers earn the titles of Dragon King and Dragon Queen. Completing all 24 laps equals a full 5K of stair climbing.

Dragon Slayer Challenge

For athletes seeking the ultimate test, the Dragon Slayer Challenge combines all three races: the 5K or 1K, the Sprint Challenge, and the Endurance Challenge. Participants who complete this triple-threat earn a discounted registration rate and an exclusive Dragon Slayer Award. Note: If you're doing this challenge, you must finish the 5K or 1K before the start of the Speed Challenge.

Registration and Pricing

Registration fees vary by race category and increase as the event approaches. Current pricing (through January 15, 2026) includes:

• 5K Adult: $45 ($65 at packet pickup)
• 1K Adult: $30 ($35 at packet pickup)
• Kids 1K/5K: $15 (for participants 12 and under)
• Sprint Challenge: $20 (at packet pickup)
• Endurance Challenge: $65 ($75 at packet pickup)
• Dragon Slayer Challenge: $90 (at packet pickup)

Register on the official St. George City website

Packet Pickup Information

Packet pickup takes place on January 16, 2026, from 5-7 PM at the Hangar on Tech Ridge (475 Donlee Dr., St. George, UT 84770). Morning-of packet pickup is available for a $10 charge with advance reservation required.

What You'll Earn

All finishers of the first lap in the Endurance Challenge receive a finisher medal. Special milestone charms are awarded throughout the race to mark your progress. The 5K and 1K also provide finisher medals to all participants.

Important Note: No strollers are allowed at any of these events unless you're prepared to carry them up 333 stairs.

What to Expect: The Physical Challenge

The Tech Ridge Staircase features 333 steps—a serious cardiovascular and leg-strength test. The Endurance Challenge's cumulative effect of up to 24 laps means participants could climb nearly 8,000 steps total if they make it to the final round.

Expect your quads, calves, and glutes to burn intensely by the end of your first lap. The descent portion also demands attention—going down 333 stairs taxes different muscle groups and requires careful footing, especially as fatigue sets in during later laps.

Family-Friendly Options

The Dragon's Tail Stair Climb Challenge welcomes participants of all ages. The Kids 1K/5K category (for ages 12 and under) offers an accessible entry point for young athletes at just $15. Families can participate together in the 1K course, which provides a challenging but achievable goal for most fitness levels.

The staggered start times (7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, and 10:00 AM) mean spectators can watch multiple race categories throughout the morning. Note that the staircase will be closed to non-participants during the races.

Not Sure You're Ready? Start with the Sprint Challenge

If you're uncertain about your fitness level or new to stair climbing events, the Sprint Challenge offers an excellent introduction. At just $10-$20, it's the most affordable option and requires only a single all-out effort up the stairs rather than sustained endurance. You'll get the full race experience, compete for the fastest time in your heat, and can decide if you want to tackle the longer challenges next year.

The 1K course also serves as a great stepping stone—at approximately 0.8 miles with one stair climb, it provides a meaningful challenge without the extreme demands of the 5K or Endurance events.

Tips for Race Day Success

1. Arrive early to secure parking and warm up properly before your start time
2. Train on stairs in the weeks leading up to the event—local options include stadium stairs or parking garage stairwells
3. Pace yourself in the Endurance Challenge—the time reductions add up quickly, and going out too hard will catch up with you
4. Bring water and fuel for the longer events, plus a warm layer for post-race
5. Check the weather and dress in layers for the January morning temperatures
6. Break in your shoes beforehand—race day is not the time for new footwear

Volunteer Opportunities

The City of St. George welcomes volunteers to help make the Dragon's Tail Stair Climb Challenge a success. If you'd like to support the event without racing, visit the volunteer registration page.

Make It a Weekend: Two Other Major Events in Southern Utah

The Dragon's Tail Stair Climb Challenge falls during one of the busiest weekends of the year in Southern Utah. If you're traveling to the area for the race, consider extending your stay to experience these other exciting events.

Up and Away Hot Air Balloon Festival (January 16-17, 2026)

The Up and Away Hot Air Balloon Festival returns to Southern Utah for its fifth annual celebration, bringing approximately 30 hot air balloon pilots to Staheli Family Farm for two days of spectacular flight and family entertainment during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

The festival, hosted by the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, takes place Friday, January 16, and Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Staheli Family Farm located at 3400 S Washington Fields Road in Washington, Utah. Admission and parking are free.

Each morning begins with hot air balloon launches from 7-10 AM (weather permitting), offering spectacular views as balloons rise into the winter sky against the backdrop of Southern Utah's iconic red rock landscape. Attendees wishing to see the full inflation and launch process should arrive by 6:30 AM.

Tethered balloon rides are available both days from 8-10 AM for riders age 3 and older, lifting passengers 50-100 feet while safely anchored to the ground. Rides cost $30 per person and must be purchased in advance at upandawayballoonfestival.com—no tickets are sold at the farm. As of this writing, Saturday's tethered ride tickets have already sold out, though Friday tickets remain available.

The festival's signature Balloon Glow takes place each evening at 6:30 PM. During this magical display, tethered balloons inflate on the ground and illuminate in synchronized bursts of flame, creating a stunning visual against the twilight sky.

Additional attractions include a vendor and craft fair with over 100 local artisans, food trucks, the Rising Star Talent Competition, and a Classic Car Show on Saturday at 10 AM.

Read more: Complete Guide to the Up and Away Balloon Festival 2026

St. George City Hall Grand Opening and Heritage Day (January 17, 2026)

St. George marks a historic milestone on Saturday, January 17, 2026, as the city combines its annual Heritage Day celebration with the grand opening of its new $45 million City Hall at 61 South Main Street.

Mayor Jimmie Hughes announced the dual celebration, calling it an opportunity to honor the city's pioneer past while welcoming its civic future. The festivities begin with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 AM, followed by the traditional Heritage Day root beer floats from noon to 2 PM inside the new building's Civic Room.

The celebration coincides with St. George's 164th birthday. The city was founded in October 1861 when 309 families established what became known as the Cotton Mission. The new City Hall's address—61 South Main—pays tribute to that heritage, serving as a deliberate nod to those founding families who settled in 1861.

Free Community Activities: In addition to the City Hall celebration, residents can enjoy free admission to several city amenities throughout the day, including the St. George Carousel, Thunder Junction train at Thunder Junction All Abilities Park, SunTran bus rides, St. George Recreation Center, Sand Hollow Aquatic Center, and St. George Museum of Art.

Read more: St. George Combines City Hall Grand Opening with Heritage Day Celebration

Quick Reference: Dragon's Tail Stair Climb Challenge

Sources

• City of St. George - Dragon's Tail Stair Climb Challenge

Photo Credit: City of St. George

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