The Phoenix Marathon will return for its second annual edition on December 11–12, 2026, featuring an updated course routed entirely within Phoenix, AZ, city limits and two additional race distances.
Produced by Motiv Sports, the event expands from its inaugural 2025 turnout of 7,200 registered runners to offer four total distances across two days. The schedule opens on Friday evening, December 11, 2026, with an inaugural nighttime 5k (3 miles), followed by Saturday morning events on December 12, 2026, including the marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), and a new 10-miler.
All three Saturday courses will take place fully within Phoenix city limits, routing runners through downtown toward the Arizona State Capitol, midtown, local residential neighbourhoods, and desert views near Mount Suappoa in the South Mountains.
Austri Biddinger, Marketing Lead at the Phoenix Marathon, said “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. 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 2026 edition introduces the Valley of the Run Challenge, awarding a special medal to participants who complete Friday’s nighttime 5k alongside any Saturday distance. Additionally, runners can earn the Desert Double medal, presented by Human Powered Health, by participating in any distance at both the 2026 Phoenix Marathon and the 2027 Mesa Marathon on February 13, 2027.
Motiv Sports is an international endurance event management organisation established in 2015.
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