Race Weekend Guide

Marathon — South Mountain Park Visitor Center Half Marathon — El Reposo Park 10 Miler — Intersection of S Central Ave and E Pioneer Street

You will receive a race bag when you pick up your packet at the expo. This bag is for you to take to the starting areas. A number that matches your race bib will be put on the outside of your race bag. This is to identify your bag at the finish area after the race, and you will need your bib to prove ownership of your bag when you pick it up. Each start line staging area (excluding the 5K) will have a gear check truck. Runners must place their bags in the gear check trucks no later than 15 minutes before your respective race begins. Please do not leave valuable items such as phones, wallets, or car keys in checked bags. The Phoenix Marathon will not be responsible for lost or stolen items.

Runners will be directed to line up in the start chutes beginning 15 minutes before your respective race begins. Large markers denoting various paces will line each start chute and runners will be directed to queue in the zone which marks their expected pace. 10 Miler runners will line up on the S Central Ave. Faster pace groups will stage in the chute near the start line at the intersection of Central Ave and Pioneer St, and slower pace groups will stage farther South down Central Ave. Half Marathon runners will line up on E Alta Vista Road. Faster pace groups will stage closer to start line, and slower pace groups will stage farther East along Alta Vista Road. Marathon runners will line up near S Phoenix S Mountain Park. Faster pace groups will stage closest to the start line, and slower pace groups will stage farther northwest along S Phoenix S Mountain Park.

Please find the locations of the aid stations along each course listed below. All aid stations will be supplied with Gatorade Endurance, water, portable restrooms, and first aid. When passing an aid station, runners will always be offered Gatorade Endurance first and water second. Certain aid stations will also be supplied with Carbs Fuel 25g energy gels and other amenities (marked with asterisks).

• MARATHON: Miles 3, 5.5, 7*, 9.7, 11.8, 15.4*, 17, 19.2*, 20.6, 22.2, 24*, 25
• HALF MARATHON: Miles 2.2*, 4, 6*, 7.4, 9, 10.8*, 12
• 10 MILER: Miles 1.4, 3, 4.7*, 5.7

Additionally, several aid stations will be supplied with muscle relief, energy gels, fruit, and medical personnel. [CONFIRM — these mile markers match the 2025 courses, and 2026 has new courses. The 10 Miler list has 4 stations; phxmarathon.com says 5.]

Pacers will be lined up in the start chutes next to the large pace markers. They will be holding elevated pace signs to mark their locations. Pace groups will be as follows:

• MARATHON: 3:10, 3:15, 3:20, 3:25, 3:30, 3:35, 3:45, 3:50, 4:00, 4:05, 4:20, 4:40, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:33
• HALF MARATHON: 1:25, 1:30, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20

Because the roads used for the race must be re-opened for normal traffic patterns, we are required to set course time limits that must be strictly adhered to. The course time limit for the full marathon is based on a 15:00 minute per mile pace, which is a light jog. This equates to a 6:33 marathon. The time limit for the half marathon is based on a 29:00 minute per mile pace, which is a leisurely walking pace. This equates to a 6:20 half marathon. The course time limit for the 10 Miler is based on a 30:00 minute per mile pace, which is a leisurely walking pace. This equates to a 5:00 10 miler. The marathon will begin at 7:00 AM, and all participants will need to finish by 1:33 PM. Those who are unable to maintain the required pace at each mile marker must consent to be picked up by an escort vehicle and escorted to the finish venue, where they will still be allowed to cross the finish line and receive a medal. Alternatively they may elect to move to the side of the road or sidewalk and obey standard traffic laws such as stopping at stop lights and intersections. Aid station support and course directional signage will be removed immediately following the rolling closure time at each mile marker. Based on the USATF certification standards the course is measured on tangents or SPR-Shortest Possible Route. Therefore if you run on the inside or outside line the entire length of the race your GPS may reflect a distance slightly greater than 13.1 or 26.2.

The top three men and women in the Marathon will be awarded the following cash prizes: 1st Place: $1,000 2nd Place: $500 3rd Place: $150 The top three men and women in the Half Marathon will be awarded the following cash prizes: 1st Place: $1,000 2nd Place: $500 3rd Place: $150 Awards ceremonies for overall winners will take place at the Finish Line Festival. The 10 Miler awards ceremony will occur at 9:00 AM; the Half Marathon awards ceremony will occur at 9:15 AM; the Marathon awards ceremony will occur at 10:30 AM. There will not be an awards ceremony for age division winners. You must be present to receive an award. Awards will not be mailed to individuals. Age division awards will also be given to the top 3 finishers within their age division and winners can claim their awards at the Results tent located at the finish festival. Age divisions include the following: 1-14, 15-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

The following times qualify a runner as an Elite for purposes of the Phoenix Marathon. Times must have been achieved within the last three years. Men - Marathon: 2:19:00 Men - Half Marathon: 1:04:00 Men - 10K: 30:30 Women - Marathon: 2:40:00 Women - Half Marathon: 1:13:00 Women - 10K: 33:30 Elite athletes may take advantage of a private fuel drop at select aid stations. They will receive separate transportation to the start line as well as private restrooms at the start and finish lines. The Phoenix Marathon will not provide travel and lodging accomodations for Elite athletes unless separately agreed upon. The deadline to request entry as an Elite athlete was November 15th.