Table of contents
1. Pre-Race Zoom Call
With the Mesa Marathon coming up soon, we’re bringing veterans and first-timers together to ask questions, share insights and build some excitement heading into race weekend!
Date: Monday, Feb. 2, 2026
Time: 7pm EST
Call Recording: https://youtu.be/W3UFhbmhtqU
2. Mesa Marathon Race Intel
Start: N Ellsworth Rd, below the large white Phoenix sign painted on Usery Mountain
Finish: Paseo Lago Vista and N Riverview
Course type: Point-to-Point
Boston Qualifier: Yes
Elevation gain: 288 feet (87m)
Elevation loss: 1154 feet (351m)
Course Map and Elevation Map: https://mesamarathon.com/plan-your-race/marathon/
Temperature
Average high: 79°F (26°C)
Average low: 53° F (12°C)
Tips from Coaches and Runners:
- Registration – Bibs can be personalized if you register by a certain date. I chose Team RunRun but you can choose your name or similar.
- Expo – No race day packet pickup and is held in a retail complex. Very well organized, outdoor/indoor setup with easy parking. Good course information, maps, bus schedules etc.
- Race Day:
- Must park near finish line and take school bus to start. I don’t remember if there were assigned bus times, but I always like to be early. Ride up was close to an hour if I remember correctly. I don’t recall being able to wait on busses so be prepared to dress warm. I believe the roads are blocked off to anyone but busses so I don’t think getting dropped off is an option.
- When you get up there, it’s dark and cold. Race started at 6:30 and I think I was there by 5:30. Time went by predictably slow. Decent amount of toilets and propane heaters, but as more busses got there, it got pretty crowded. Decent ability to warm up.
- Entertainment. Through their app they had a landmarks and pace feature that you could listen to. The landmarks were pretty interesting, but timing/location were off a bit. Timing was all over the place and I eventually turned it off.
- GPS – One of the most accurate I’ve ever done, finishing in 26.22. Splits with Garmin were very close to physical markers.
- Miles 1-4. It’s still dark. DARK. No spectator access so it’s eerily quiet with the pitter patter of carbon shoes in cadence. Road starts as both lanes and then goes to 1 lane. Cones randomly appear out of nowhere and runners try to communicate so you don’t trip. It’s crowded. Recommend throw away headlamp, especially if you are near front of pack, assuming same race start time. Similar feeling to first miles of Boston where it’s hard to run your own race.
- Miles 5-6. Gradual uphill but actually feels like a good change of pace before more downhill miles.
- Miles 7-20. Gradual downhill and getting into the city. Once you get onto McDowell Rd, then, Val Vista Dr, and long stretch on Brown Rd, the miles are pretty boring. Residential and retail with lots of 5 lane roads/stop lights. Plenty of running room here.
- Miles 20-finish. These miles have a few more turns and are flat, but seem uphill. Spectators increase a bit, but you need to rely on your own motivation overall.
- While it’s only mid 50s at finish, the desert air zaps energy and hydration. It was my first run of any length and I was pretty dehydrated despite not pushing for a PR
- Post race. Quick finisher chute, snacks/drinks as expected. I stuck around for other runners in the 4:30 range and it seemed well organized and supplied. Cool finisher print out that congratulated me on BQ.
- Aid stations. Nothing memorable good or bad. Normal distribution and water/electrolytes. I think they were staffed well. I carried nutrition so I’m unsure what was offered, if anything. I did not carry my own hydration, but many did.
Overall a very well organized race. First half has some amazing views, but second half looks like the same landscape for a long time. Biggest regret was getting there so early and being cold and not having a headlamp. Not tripping in crowded first few miles was an accomplishment. I think it’s a great tune up marathon for Boston from a course profile stand point to get used to pounding quads early, but lacks any uphill except a couple early uphill miles.
From RunRunner Derek Siebert
“Arrive earlier than you think as there will be cars lined up to the buses. The race was delayed last year (2025) because of traffic on the highway.” – Coach Brant Stachel
“You’ll be starting in the dark so it may be helpful to practice running in the dark. The streets have decent lights but it is a different feel for your pace.” – Coach Brant Stachel
3. Race Reports
Want even more intel on the Mesa Marathon? Read some of the race reports from Team RunRun coaches:
- From David Ha: https://teamrunrun.com/mesa-marathon-race-report-david-h/
- From Sanne Nakaska: https://teamrunrun.com/mesa-marathon-race-report/
4. Shakeout Run
Shakeout Run
Date: Friday, Feb. 13, 2026
Time: 8am (race expo starts at 9am).
Location: Tempe Beach Park (10 minutes from the expo, has parking and there’s a paved path along both sides of the lake with a pedestrian bridge at one end)
Distance: 5k easy run – all paces welcome. Option to run farther (it’s an out and back route).
Optional post-run social: Bones and Bru (.3 miles from the run start so people can drive or walk. Serves smoothies and coffees and makes dog treats)
5. Mesa Marathon Coaching Info
At Team RunRun, we have 100s of wonderful, experienced coaches ready to help you crush your goals, regardless of your ability, budget, or lifestyle. Specifically, for Mesa Marathon race advice, here are some coaches to start with:
In addition, see the official race website here for even more information.
Above all, good luck!
