Marathon de Phoenix

Marathon de Phoenix, the Phoenix Marathon, is held in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 12, 2026. Three distances are on offer: the marathon (26.2 miles), with about 260 feet of climbing, a half marathon (13.1 miles) and a 10K. The route mixes city streets with more open ground, where the desert vegetation typical of Arizona takes over.

With that little elevation change, the marathon is a course built for a time rather than a course that fights you, which makes it a sensible pick for a personal best or a Boston qualifying attempt. Count on a 16 to 18 week build with a weekly long run and two harder sessions. The half suits runners stepping up from 10K, and the 10K itself is a good year-end benchmark. Whichever distance you enter, start drinking early and keep taking fluids at every station.