Flat, Fast and Fun Courses!
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The marathon and half marathon courses are as flat and festive as they come - perfect for runners and walkers of all ability levels.
Whether you're striving for Boston or just hoping to make it to the finish line, the beautiful desert scenery and local highlights will keep you inspired all the way to the finish line!
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Start Line:
- Start Line Village - located at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in downtown Phoenix
- Marathon and Wheelchair Invitational Start - Washington Street (near 14th Ave)
- 1/2 Marathon Start - Jefferson Street (near 12th Ave)
Half-Marathon Wave Start
Due to its popularity, the half-marathon has a wave start. This will allow you plenty of "elbow room" along the course and at the finish line, without affecting your chip time or the time you have to complete the race.
All 1/2 Marathon participants will still have the "4-hour time limit" to complete the course. Please note, the wave start will pertain to the 1/2 Marathon start ONLY - not the Marathon start.
Course Time Limits
To ensure that roads reopen to vehicular traffic at the published times, there will be a cut off point enforced along the Marathon route. Marathon participants must pass the 13.2-mile point by 11:30 am or they will be stopped and shuttled to the finish.
All marathon participants should be adequately trained to complete the 26.2-mile course within 7 hours, while half marathoners will need to complete the 13.1 miles in less than 4 hours. Please note – this is gun time, not chip time. We have factored in the time it will take for the last corrals to cross the start line. Please plan your training accordingly.
Road Closures
Click here for detailed road closure information.
Dropping Out of the Race
You know your body best. If you feel like you cannot finish or your doctor has advised you against participating in this event, we suggest that you do not toe the starting line. If you want to drop out of the race (for non-injury reasons), visit the nearest medical station on the course. Shuttles will be located at the following medical stations and will transport you back to the finish line:
- Marathon: Mile 10.6, 17.9, 19, 20.1, 22.3 and 23.7
- Half Marathon: Mile 8.6 and 10.3
You will not be shuttled back to the finish line until cleared by the Medical Team Captain at the above-listed medical stations. If you check into a medical station that does not have a shuttle on duty, you will be directed to walk to the nearest station with a shuttle. Alternatively, you may wait for the sweep vehicle tailing the last participant, or you may call a friend, relative or taxi to pick you up.
Water, Sports Drink and Energy Gel
Plenty of water and sports drink will be supplied at the start, finish and at replenishment stations throughout the Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. Energy gel will also be available on both courses.
Water
Water Stations will be located on the Marathon course at miles 1.1, 2.7, 4.5, 6.2, 7.4, 9.1, 10.6, 12.1, 13.8, 15.6, 16.7, 17.9, 19, 20.1, 21.1, 22.2, 23.6 and 25.3, and along the 1/2 Marathon course at miles 1, 3.2, 5.3, 7.2, 8.6, 10.2 and 11.9.
Start training today with Cytomax!
Cytomax will be provided at 10 stations along the Marathon course and 6 stations along the ½ Marathon course.
Cytomax Performance Enhanced Drink is the only sport drink with patented energy source Alpha-L-Polylactate. Recent studies comparing Cytomax to another popular sport drink show that the lactate in Polylactate provides fuel energy 3 x faster than glucose, which is the main carbohydrate in most other sport drinks.
In addition, Alpha-L-Ploylactate is used 3 x more efficiently than the glucose in most other sport drinks (92% v 27%), and finally athletes completing a long hard ride sprinted 22% longer on Cytomax than the market leader.
The result for training athletes, more fuel energy start to finish. For complete study, visit www.plosone.org. To purchase, visit any GNC specialty running store or www.cytosport.com.
Cytomax Performance Enhanced Drink – What Fuels You?
Energy Gel Stations
Energy Gel will be available on the Marathon course at mile 20 and on the ½ Marathon course at mile 8.6.
Medical Information
The Medical Team is a dedicated group of multidisciplinary medical professionals, available to help assess your race day medical needs and administer acute first aid when necessary. Numerous medical stations will be located at the Finish as well. Look for large RED and WHITE tents and for our medical volunteers dressed in RED shirts for complimentary help before, during and after the race.
Click here for more important Medical Information
Race Day Temperature
Dress in layers at the start, it will most likely be chilly – about 40 degrees. As the sun rises, it will warm up to about 65 degrees (average high in January). Please check the race day weather forecast when you get into town and dress accordingly.
Course Entertainment
Music everywhere - and that's a promise! Bands at every mile along the course set the tempo for this 39.3 mile party, where runners and spectators alike will be "Dancin' in the Streets." More info...
2008 Marathon Course Bands
2008 ½ Marathon Course Bands
Spirit on the Course
Over 40 high school cheer squads will line the course to pump you up, providing that extra motivation to take you to the finish line. Cash prizes will be awarded to the teams with the most energy and spirit. More info...
2008 Spectator Spots
Start Line: Welsey Bolin Plaza
View 35,000 runners and walkers as they begin their 13.1-mile or 26.2-mile journeys at the start of the Marathon & ½ Marathon.
From I-17N: Exit 19th Avenue, Buckeye, Grant or Adams / Van Buren. Parking is available on 19th Avenue between Jefferson and Washington or off 18th Avenue between Van Buren and Monroe Street.
From I-10W: Merge onto I-17S and exit on Jefferson or Grant. Parking is located on 19th Avenue between Jefferson and Washington.
2008 Marathon Spectator Spots
Stage 9: Mile 8.6, 24th St. and Camelback
Calling all chic spectators. You’re sure to look fashionable while spectating between the glamorous Ritz Carlton and the stylish Biltmore Fashion Square.
From Scottsdale and Tempe: Head west on Camelback and park at the Biltmore Fashion Square parking lot just east of 24th Street.
From Downtown Phoenix: Take 51N to Highland, head east on Highland to 20th Street and park at the Town and Country parking lot. From here you can walk to stage 9.
From North Phoenix: Take 51S, exit on Coulter, turn left on Camelback and head east to the Town and Country parking lot on 20th Street. From here you can walk to stage 9.
Stage 13: Mile 13.2, 44th Street and Thomas
Meet the marathoners just past the halfway point. Give them that extra boost they’ll need to continue the second half or their 26.2-mile trek.
From 51: Exit east on Thomas Road to 42nd Street. Turn right on 42nd and park along the street. Stage 13 is within walking distance.
Stage 18: Mile 18.9, 1st Avenue and Marshall Way
Experience the heart of downtown Scottsdale, where you’ll find an array of fabulous restaurants, unique shops, exquisite art galleries and pumpin’ nightclubs - perfect for all of your post-race partying!
From 101: Exit west on Indian School Road to Scottsdale Road. Park on surface streets in downtown Scottsdale and walk to the stage located at the intersection of 1st Avenue and Marshall Way.
Stage 19: Mile 20.0, Scottsdale Road and Thomas
They’re almost finished! Help the runners through the “20-mile wall,” and catch a glimpse of P.F. Chang’s “Great WALL!”
From 101: Exit west on Thomas Road to Scottsdale Road. Park in the Albertson’s parking lot and walk to stage 19.
2008 ½ Marathon Spectator Spots
Stage 4: Mile 2.6, McDowell and 7th Street
Boogie with your favorite half-marathoners as they pick up the pace at mile 2.6.
From the 51: Exit west on Thomas and turn left on 7th Street. Parking is available in the Safeway lot located on McDowell and 7th Street.
Stage 15: Mile 12.3, Mill Avenue & Rio Salado
You’re sure to enjoy Downtown Tempe, where eclectic restaurants, shops and bars await. Watch the half marathoners enter the home stretch, just up the road from ASU.
From Loop 202, access Rio Salado Pkwy by exiting south on the Priest Drive, Scottsdale Road or McClintock Drive exits. Parking garages are available in downtown Tempe.
STAGE 16: Mile 12.9, Sundevil Stadium Parking Lot
The time has finally arrived! Be there to cheer as the half marathoners cross that glorious finish line. Then walk to the Finish Line Festival for some much-needed refreshments and fun. Follow the Finish Line directions below.
Finish Line Festival
Let the fun continue! Join your family and friends at the Finish Line Festival. Enjoy live music, refreshments and ice-cold *beer from Michelob Ultra at Arizona State University’s (ASU) Sun Angel Stadium. The finish lines for the Marathon & ½ Marathon are in the parking lots between ASU’s Sun Devil and Sun Angel stadiums in Tempe.
*ID required for beer tasting.
From the 202: Exit south onto Priest Drive, turn left at University Drive and proceed to the parking lots on Ash Avenue, Mill Avenue or Rural Road, south of University.
From Tempe: Drive north on Mill Avenue or Rural Road to the parking lots south of University.
From the 101: Exit west on Broadway, turn right (north) on Rural Road or Mill Avenue and proceed to parking lots south of University.
