The second-annual event expands its opportunities for runners to experience the City of Phoenix on foot
PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Phoenix Marathon is returning on Dec. 11 and 12 for its second annual event after a successful inaugural event in 2025, which hosted 7,200 registered runners from all 50 states and over 12 countries. The event continues its dedication to showcasing the local community as the city signature marathon and has upgraded its marathon course to take place fully within Phoenix city limits while also introducing two new race distances, a 10-miler and 5K.
“Our inaugural event was such a success, and it inspired us to see where we could continue to improve and expand the experience for our runners going into year two,” said Austri Biddinger, Marketing Lead for the Phoenix Marathon. “By updating the course and introducing new distances, we also hope to open doors for more people to take part and encourage them to experience the incredible community here in Phoenix.”
The Phoenix Marathon race weekend will now offer four distances. On Friday evening, the event will host its inaugural nighttime 5K (3 miles) race, followed by the rest of the distances on Saturday morning: a marathon (26.2 miles), a half marathon (13.1 miles) and a ten-miler. All three Saturday courses showcase routes that capture the city’s character and energy, with every mile taking place within Phoenix city limits. These routes will race downtown towards the Arizona State Capitol, north through midtown, through beautiful neighborhoods, desert landscapes and offer scenic views of Mount Suappoa, the highest point in the South Mountains in Phoenix.
This year, the event has also introduced a new challenge for participants to expand their race weekend activities with the Valley of the Run Challenge. The challenge involves two consecutive days of racing by participating in the Friday night 5K plus one of the Saturday distances. Those who complete the challenge will earn an exclusive Valley of the Run Challenge medal to commemorate their accomplishment.
Participants in the 2026 Phoenix Marathon will also have the opportunity to earn the exclusive Desert Double medal presented by Human Powered Health. To earn this medal, participants will need to complete any distance of the 2026 Phoenix Marathon and any distance at the 2027 Mesa Marathon on Feb. 13. Those who register for any distance at both events will receive a bundle discount.
For more information about the Phoenix Marathon, visit www.phxmarathon.com and follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT THE PHOENIX MARATHON AND BROOKSEE
The Phoenix Marathon launched in 2025 as the premier and city-signature road running event for the City of Phoenix. The race offers participants a scenic journey through iconic areas of the city through three distance options, a marathon, a half marathon, ten miler and 5K. All distances take place fully within Phoenix city limits. The Phoenix Marathon is produced by Motiv Sports. Motiv Sports was founded in 2015, and creates, markets, manages and delivers world-class endurance events all around the world.