From a marathon that starts in the desert’s foothills and travels along rolling hills to a 4.2-miler that finishes on the field of ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium, learn more about these destination races in Phoenix.

(Feature image: Javelina Jundred, photo by Jesse Ellis and Scott Rokis)

While many areas of the U.S. settle in for the snowy winter months, central and southern Arizona come alive with events. Prime running season in the Phoenix metro area, also known as the Valley of the Sun, is October through April. During this time, Phoenix is host to several races of varying distances that are worth adding to your destination race calendar.

For the full marathon distance, two Boston-qualifiers in the East Valley start from the desert’s foothills, and a half marathon course in the Valley’s center takes you past the iconic Papago Park. Two unique distances — a 15K winding through desert roads into Fountain Hills and a 4.2-miler in Tempe that finishes inside ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium — are well-worth trips to the Valley of the Sun.

Explore details of these seven destination races in Phoenix, listed by calendar date. Looking for more information on running in Phoenix? Read our Phoenix City Guide.

• Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona
• Mesa Marathon
• Lost Dutchman Marathon
• Mountain to Fountain
• Pat’s Run
• Javelina Jundred
• Gilbert Half Marathon

---

Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona

January | Tempe | Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
The Valley of the Sun has been host to Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona for 20 years now. All race distances start and finish in Tempe. The 5K and 10K courses are around Tempe Beach Park, while the half marathon runs through Papago Park, along McDowell Road in Phoenix, and into Old Town Scottsdale. Expect plenty of music along the route; runners travel in from all over for this staple race of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 71 degrees; low of 39 degrees; average of 55 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 390-foot gain (half marathon)
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 4 hours (half marathon); 2 hours (10K); 1 hour (5K)
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s medal
• Distance from Airport: 10-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

---

Mesa Marathon

February | Mesa | Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K
This Boston-qualifier with a net elevation loss starts at Usery Mountain at the east edge of the Valley and runs west, finishing at Riverview Park in Mesa. All three distances are point to point, travel through downtown Mesa, and share the same finish line. Runners take buses to the start lines, so be prepared for an early morning! The finish area, race expo, and nearest accommodations (Sheraton Mesa Hotel) are located around Wrigleyville West, the Chicago Cubs’ home for Spring Training, making it a unique destination race for Cubs fans. Plus, Mesa Marathon’s race shirts and medals are always a crowd-pleaser. Prize money is awarded to the top three male and female finishers.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 70 degrees; low of 43 degrees; average of 56 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 1,000-foot net elevation loss (marathon); 200-foot net elevation loss (half marathon); 55-foot net elevation loss (10K)
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 6.5 hours (marathon and half marathon); 3 hours (10K)
• Prize Money: Top male and female finishers receive $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, $150 for third place
• Race Swag: Tech shirt (long sleeve, short sleeve, or tank), finisher’s medal
• Distance from Airport: 10-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

---

Lost Dutchman Marathon

February | Apache Junction | Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 8K Trail Run
The Lost Dutchman Marathon is a point-to-point race (a bus takes you to the start) that offers scenic viewpoints of the Valley while the sun rises behind you. Expect rolling hills and a dirt trail for the first six miles on this challenging but rewarding Boston-qualifier. (The full marathon is limited to 400 participants.) The half marathon and 10K follow out-and-back courses beginning and ending at Prospector Park, which is also the finish line for the full marathon. The 8K, starting and ending at Prospector Park, takes a different route along a dirt trail. The Lost Dutchman Marathon is a charity organization, and race proceeds benefit economically disadvantaged youth organizations in the local area.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 70 degrees; low of 44 degrees; average of 57 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 490-foot elevation loss (full marathon)
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 6 hours (full marathon)
• Race Swag: Long-sleeve tech shirt, finisher’s medal
• Prize Money: $500 is awarded to a male and female if they set a new marathon course record; $250 for a master’s marathon course record
• Distance from Airport: Finish line and parking area (Prospector’s Park) is about a 30-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

---

Mountain to Fountain

March | Fountain Hills | 15K, 5K
Starting from McDowell Mountain Regional Park, the Mountain to Fountain 15K course runs along rolling desert roads, into the small suburban town of Fountain Hills, and finishes at the iconic Fountain Park. The 5K course circles the park. Runners participating in the 15K catch a bus from town out to the start line, and registered teams of four or more compete with their finish times to win a team member’s weight in beer. Mountain to Fountain is hosted by Aravaipa Running, which puts on a myriad of trail races and trail ultras in Arizona and beyond.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 74 degrees; low of 51 degrees; average of 62 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 297-foot elevation gain (15K)
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 2.5 hours (15K)
• Race Swag: 50-50 blend T-shirt, finisher’s medal, one beer
• Distance from Airport: The finish line is about a 30-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

---

Pat’s Run

April | Tempe | 4.2 Miles
Pat’s Run is in its 20th year and is hosted by the Pat Tillman Foundation to honor the legacy of Pat Tillman, a football player for Arizona State University and the Arizona Cardinals. Tillman joined the U.S. Army after the September 11 attacks and was killed while serving in Iraq in 2004. This well-supported community event brings in tens of thousands of runners, walkers, and spectators. The 4.2-mile course — for Tillman’s jersey number, 42, during his time at ASU — navigates the streets of Tempe, crosses over Tempe Town Lake twice, and finishes on the field of Sun Devil Stadium. Race proceeds help to fund scholarships for the foundation’s Tillman Scholars.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 87 degrees; low of 51 degrees; average of 69 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: Not listed
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: Not listed
• Race Swag: Tech shirt, finisher’s medal
• Distance from Airport: 10 minute-drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

---

Javelina Jundred

October | Fountain Hills | 100 Miles, 100K
For ultramarathoners, this is a bucket-list event that’s only grown in popularity over the years. Running on a 20-mile, single-track trail loop with rolling hills in McDowell Mountain Regional Park, this ultra delivers a challenge — but it’s also a party (there’s a costume award!). This is a qualifying race for the Western States 100. Not up for the full 100-miler (five loops) or 100K (3 loops)? Running the same weekend is the single-loop Jackass Night Trail 31K.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 87 degrees; low of 63 degrees; average of 75 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: 1,580-foot elevation gain on each loop
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 30 hours (100-miler); 29 hours (100K); 8.5 hours (31K)
• Race Swag: T-shirt, finisher’s belt buckle (100-miler, 100K)
• Distance from Airport: 45-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

---

Gilbert Half Marathon

November | Gilbert | Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
Expect a flat and fast USATF-certified course at the Gilbert Half Marathon. All race distances start from Verde at Cooley Station, a new dining, entertainment, and retail district in the East Valley. The Gilbert Half Marathon was founded to raise money for the Shun the Sun Foundation, which builds shade structures and provides community education on skin cancer prevention. Stick around after the race for some cooler-weather desert hiking, and swing by the Sole Sports Gilbert location, also at Verde at Cooley Station.

• Average Race Month Weather: High of 77 degrees; low of 48 degrees; average of 62 degrees
• Course Elevation Change: Not listed
• Historical Race Results
• Time Limit: 3.5 hours (half marathon)
• Race Swag: Tech shirt, finisher’s medal
• Distance from Airport: 30-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

*Average Race Month Weather is based on the National Weather Service’s historical data.

Visit our Phoenix City Guide for more information about places to run, running stores, running groups, and where to eat and drink in and around Phoenix.

Back to Top of Article

---

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO PHOENIX

Your Guide to Running in Phoenix, Arizona

GM of Sole Sports Shares Top Tips for Running in Phoenix

---