Marathon participants are loyal folks, said Bradley, and they tend to return year after year to a race that Runner's World magazine dubbed "one of the most scenic" in the world. The St. George Marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon and Olympic Trials.

"A lot of people make hotel reservations for next year and hope they get picked in the lottery," Bradley said. There's just not enough lodging for those who want to enter the race each year, he added.

"That's our biggest problem, housing," he said. "We can't guarantee they'll get a room."

Marathon director Kent Perkins notes, "Growth in motel rooms allows for growth in marathon numbers each year."

But it's not just the thousands of St. George Marathon runners who need a room this weekend. The Huntsman World Senior Games open on Monday and organizers are expecting around 9,000 athletes to compete in 22 venues spread throughout the county.

The economic impact of the Huntsman senior games is even more significant. Kathie Thayne, executive director of the games, estimates the two-week event contributes $38 million to the local economy.

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com