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Marathon Details - El Paso Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > TX > El Paso > El Paso Marathon

El Paso Marathon

Michelob Ultra El Paso Marathon & Half Marathon, 5K

El Paso, TX USA

February 23, 2025

http://www.elpasomarathon.org

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Race Details

Marathon course will be a Boston qualifier and will finish in historic downtown El Paso

Contact Information

Name:	Mike Coulter
Address:	P.O. Box 2443 El Paso, TX 79952
Phone Number:	9152745222
Email:	Email the organizers

More Information


Number of Runners:	4,500
Number of Spectators:	6,000
Fees & Deadlines:	tbd
Start Time:	7:00 AM
Course Highlights:	The marathon route starts atop the Franklin Mountains(5,213 Ft) on the northern edge of the city, meanders down Transmountain Road alongside desert landscapes, passes through Fort Bliss Military Base(the first official marathon to run through a military installation) to the beautiful Austin Terrace neighborhood and finishes in historic Downtown El Paso(3,894 Ft). The elevation drop of 1,519 feet makes the Michelob Ultra El Paso Marathon one of the fastest 26.2-mile courses in the nation. The course is USATF Certified and is a Boston Marathon qualifying race. Marathon qualifier.
Course Refreshments:	Water and electrolyte beverage, energy gels
Race Day Registration:	No Race Day Registration.
Online Registration:	https://www.elpasomarathon.org/
Packet Pickup Info:	El Paso Convention Center Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 9am to 6pm
Marathon Ratings:	Course Scenery/Beauty/Interest: Good for First Timers: Crowd Support: Course Speed:

Runner Reviews (51)

Course 3.8

Organization 4.1

Spectators 3.4

Write a review

Number of comments: 51 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > ]

A. B. from Michigan USA (2/19/2018) "Run 2018, It was Great !!! Thank you El Paso" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course was challenging and not boring at all, ups and downs, turns and scenery, great volunteers and water stations. Finish line at the Chihuahua's Field was great, well organized, nice finish events, food and wait for it... burritos at the end. Very nice Marathon, I would highly recommend it, from espectators to organizers and volunteers, Thank you El Paso !!
M. L. from El Paso (10/11/2017) "Winter race in warmer climes" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 El Paso Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Well organized race in a mild winter climate and warm hospitable city. A moderate to easy course. Excellent race organization. Ends in the ballpark downtown and you run the bases to the finish line.
j. p. from Tucson AZ (2/26/2016) "Finish in the Ball Park" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The finish was at the Southwest Baseball Park where spectators could sit in the stands and watch the runners come in through the gates, run the outside of the field and cross the finish line, it was also projected on the Jumbo-Tron. Nice touch!! Small expo which made it easy to pick up packets. Runners could stay on the school buses until the start. Not a lot of spectators along the course but great aid stations! FREE downloadable photos!! The only negative was that they offered Skratch for electrolytes, which upsets my stomach, I had plenty of notice and I carried my own hydration, but I do appreciate that they stepped out of the norm by handing out Skratch and Honey Stingers.
B. P. from Albuquerque, New Mexico (2/28/2013) "They do the best they can with what they have." (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 All I could think of while running this marathon was that all the people who commented last year on how scenic the course was must have all been proctologists. This is NOT a scenic course though running through the Army base was kind of novel. The race organization was very good for a marathon of this size and there were plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. The post race activities were better than expected and on par with much larger events. I know the event organizers would like it to become a destination event for those seeking to BQ but it's actually not a particularly fast course. Almost all the elevation loss, about 1100 feet, is in the first 4.75 miles and then most of the remaining 400 or so feet drop takes place in a couple more short sections. The majority of the course is flat. It was also relentlessly windy this year with gusts into the 40 mph range for those finishing in the 4.5 hour range or later and steady head winds of about 15 mph for people finishing up more in the 3+ hour range. This kind of wind is common this time of year.
D. M. from Fort Collins, CO (2/27/2013) "be prepared for wind" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 +'s Organization, t-shirt, frequent friendly well-stocked aid stations, medal, running through base residential area (was sort of interesting to see the sort of houses Colonels live in, etc.), busses hang around until race start so don't have to wait out in the cold -'s Busses leave so early that you have to wait around a whole hour at start, remote/uninteresting course, WIND and BLOWING sand (lots of people said strong wind was normal this time of year). I'm not sure I'll run this one again only due to the risk of wind. The wind made this run pure misery except for those who are really fast and finished before the wind kicked-up.
LAMBERT BELINA from HAY SPRINGS, NEBRASKA (2/26/2013) "Sand storm towards the finish." (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 At about mile 11 the conditions started to get bad and the last 5 to 6 miles were run in a sand storm. The water stations were great with plenty of fluids and outstanding help. The course wasn't too bad but the wind just made it hard to run.
B. R. from Atlanta, GA (2/25/2013) "There was nothing scenic about this course." (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Other than the first five downhill miles, this was the ugliest marathon I have ever run. There is a mind-numbing straight unending section on the desert with absoluting nothing to look at. The course had no markings at all, either signs or chalk on the pavement and at some intersections, no one indicated which way to go. Often the only way I knew I was on the right road was by the gel wrappers on the ground. The wind was definitely a factor this year and was relentless. Later in the race it turned into a sand storm. The only good thing I can say about this race was the water stations. They were abundant and the volunteers were very enthusiatic and supportive.
Todd Karl from Colorado Springs, CO (6/15/2012) "Great Small Race" (about: 2012) 3 previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the El Paso marathon in 2012, and I was pleased. The organization was very efficient, from busses to the start to volunteers on the course to the finish corral. The course was, in my opinion perfect; a scenic, downhill stretch for the first 5 or so miles, then a very gradual downhill for the remainder. I enjoyed the varying neighborhoods I saw, and the mountain scenery was, at times, stunning. I wanted an inexpensive marathon I could train for during the winter months, and for anyone looking for the same, the El Paso Marathon is an excellent choice. I will be back.
Demetrio Bolanos from Mexico (2/9/2012) "A marathon for real runners" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 After running 37 marathons, some of the big ones, like Chicago, Boston, Berlin, many of the rock & roll series, and several small ones, I can say that races like El Paso Marathon give you the best for a runner... An expo that you can buy what you need, and more important, you can walk. A race with no corrals because you are never fighting to pass a runner. Enought expectators and runners to make you feel that you are in a race. Great feeling reaching the finish line. Many people cheering. I like the course, but do not expect that runnig downhill the first 4 miles is going to help your finish time, better train lots of donwhills if you want to finish strong, if not, yours quads will hurt a lot latter on the race. I recommend this race a lot.
C. H. from El Paso (2/8/2012) "El Paso Marathon is a Fantastic Race" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Marathon runners started at the top of transmountain (5280 feet) but the course drops about 1100 feet the next 5 miles. Runners need to be careful to not cause too much stress on their legs during the downhill portion because the rest of the race nearly 21 miles is mostly flat to slightly downhill. This is a better race than Tucson which puts you on the shoulder of a long downhill road with no spectators. Even St George, UT which is very well organized but it lacks the scenery of El Paso. The El Paso marathon course is a combination of urban, suburban and rural running and it also runs through Fort Bliss army base. The El Paso marathon didn't have large amounts of spectators but with plenty of aid station many in theme costumes the lack of spectators was hardly noticeable. The entry fee is downright cheap compared to other marathons. For next year organizers need to replace the styrofoam cups with wax cups. They also need to accurately place the mile markers for next year. If you knew where to look the accurately surveyed course was marked in yellow paint and a nail. Regardless of the markers the timing was still very accurate which is a major improvement from last year. Having the half and 5k start downtown was a major plus for the marathoners. The shuttle buses worked great and runners were able to stay on the bus right up to the start. The national anthem was sung very well (another improvement from last year) and most of the runners joined in the singing. The weather was great except for the windy top of the mountain. However with an easy wide flat to downhill start the wind was a non factor after a half mile or so. The course (along with some good training) was good enough to give me a personal record over some other pretty fast courses like Tucson, St George and Boston. Finishing downtown was a treat with a nice fast last mile. Seeing the skyscrapers at the 20 mile mark and then watching them slowly grow larger as you approach is something to experience. The Doubletree Hotel and the Wells Fargo Building are the El Paso versions of Citgo sign in Boston. Summary: Positives- great new course, plenty of spectator viewing areas, inexpensive entry fee and plenty of reasonably priced hotel rooms, decent weather, still a small race (at least for one more year) just under 400 finishers (around 80% male, 20% female) (another 1800 runners ran the 5k and half marathon) Negative- cups, mile marker placement This race is a must run for all.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > ]



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A. B. from Michigan USA (2/19/2018) "Run 2018, It was Great !!! Thank you El Paso" (about: 2018) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course was challenging and not boring at all, ups and downs, turns and scenery, great volunteers and water stations. Finish line at the Chihuahua's Field was great, well organized, nice finish events, food and wait for it... burritos at the end. Very nice Marathon, I would highly recommend it, from espectators to organizers and volunteers, Thank you El Paso !!
M. L. from El Paso (10/11/2017) "Winter race in warmer climes" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 El Paso Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Well organized race in a mild winter climate and warm hospitable city. A moderate to easy course. Excellent race organization. Ends in the ballpark downtown and you run the bases to the finish line.
j. p. from Tucson AZ (2/26/2016) "Finish in the Ball Park" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The finish was at the Southwest Baseball Park where spectators could sit in the stands and watch the runners come in through the gates, run the outside of the field and cross the finish line, it was also projected on the Jumbo-Tron. Nice touch!! Small expo which made it easy to pick up packets. Runners could stay on the school buses until the start. Not a lot of spectators along the course but great aid stations! FREE downloadable photos!! The only negative was that they offered Skratch for electrolytes, which upsets my stomach, I had plenty of notice and I carried my own hydration, but I do appreciate that they stepped out of the norm by handing out Skratch and Honey Stingers.
B. P. from Albuquerque, New Mexico (2/28/2013) "They do the best they can with what they have." (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 All I could think of while running this marathon was that all the people who commented last year on how scenic the course was must have all been proctologists. This is NOT a scenic course though running through the Army base was kind of novel. The race organization was very good for a marathon of this size and there were plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. The post race activities were better than expected and on par with much larger events. I know the event organizers would like it to become a destination event for those seeking to BQ but it's actually not a particularly fast course. Almost all the elevation loss, about 1100 feet, is in the first 4.75 miles and then most of the remaining 400 or so feet drop takes place in a couple more short sections. The majority of the course is flat. It was also relentlessly windy this year with gusts into the 40 mph range for those finishing in the 4.5 hour range or later and steady head winds of about 15 mph for people finishing up more in the 3+ hour range. This kind of wind is common this time of year.
D. M. from Fort Collins, CO (2/27/2013) "be prepared for wind" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 +'s Organization, t-shirt, frequent friendly well-stocked aid stations, medal, running through base residential area (was sort of interesting to see the sort of houses Colonels live in, etc.), busses hang around until race start so don't have to wait out in the cold -'s Busses leave so early that you have to wait around a whole hour at start, remote/uninteresting course, WIND and BLOWING sand (lots of people said strong wind was normal this time of year). I'm not sure I'll run this one again only due to the risk of wind. The wind made this run pure misery except for those who are really fast and finished before the wind kicked-up.
LAMBERT BELINA from HAY SPRINGS, NEBRASKA (2/26/2013) "Sand storm towards the finish." (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 At about mile 11 the conditions started to get bad and the last 5 to 6 miles were run in a sand storm. The water stations were great with plenty of fluids and outstanding help. The course wasn't too bad but the wind just made it hard to run.
B. R. from Atlanta, GA (2/25/2013) "There was nothing scenic about this course." (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Other than the first five downhill miles, this was the ugliest marathon I have ever run. There is a mind-numbing straight unending section on the desert with absoluting nothing to look at. The course had no markings at all, either signs or chalk on the pavement and at some intersections, no one indicated which way to go. Often the only way I knew I was on the right road was by the gel wrappers on the ground. The wind was definitely a factor this year and was relentless. Later in the race it turned into a sand storm. The only good thing I can say about this race was the water stations. They were abundant and the volunteers were very enthusiatic and supportive.
Todd Karl from Colorado Springs, CO (6/15/2012) "Great Small Race" (about: 2012) 3 previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the El Paso marathon in 2012, and I was pleased. The organization was very efficient, from busses to the start to volunteers on the course to the finish corral. The course was, in my opinion perfect; a scenic, downhill stretch for the first 5 or so miles, then a very gradual downhill for the remainder. I enjoyed the varying neighborhoods I saw, and the mountain scenery was, at times, stunning. I wanted an inexpensive marathon I could train for during the winter months, and for anyone looking for the same, the El Paso Marathon is an excellent choice. I will be back.
Demetrio Bolanos from Mexico (2/9/2012) "A marathon for real runners" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 After running 37 marathons, some of the big ones, like Chicago, Boston, Berlin, many of the rock & roll series, and several small ones, I can say that races like El Paso Marathon give you the best for a runner... An expo that you can buy what you need, and more important, you can walk. A race with no corrals because you are never fighting to pass a runner. Enought expectators and runners to make you feel that you are in a race. Great feeling reaching the finish line. Many people cheering. I like the course, but do not expect that runnig downhill the first 4 miles is going to help your finish time, better train lots of donwhills if you want to finish strong, if not, yours quads will hurt a lot latter on the race. I recommend this race a lot.
C. H. from El Paso (2/8/2012) "El Paso Marathon is a Fantastic Race" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 El Paso Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Marathon runners started at the top of transmountain (5280 feet) but the course drops about 1100 feet the next 5 miles. Runners need to be careful to not cause too much stress on their legs during the downhill portion because the rest of the race nearly 21 miles is mostly flat to slightly downhill. This is a better race than Tucson which puts you on the shoulder of a long downhill road with no spectators. Even St George, UT which is very well organized but it lacks the scenery of El Paso. The El Paso marathon course is a combination of urban, suburban and rural running and it also runs through Fort Bliss army base. The El Paso marathon didn't have large amounts of spectators but with plenty of aid station many in theme costumes the lack of spectators was hardly noticeable. The entry fee is downright cheap compared to other marathons. For next year organizers need to replace the styrofoam cups with wax cups. They also need to accurately place the mile markers for next year. If you knew where to look the accurately surveyed course was marked in yellow paint and a nail. Regardless of the markers the timing was still very accurate which is a major improvement from last year. Having the half and 5k start downtown was a major plus for the marathoners. The shuttle buses worked great and runners were able to stay on the bus right up to the start. The national anthem was sung very well (another improvement from last year) and most of the runners joined in the singing. The weather was great except for the windy top of the mountain. However with an easy wide flat to downhill start the wind was a non factor after a half mile or so. The course (along with some good training) was good enough to give me a personal record over some other pretty fast courses like Tucson, St George and Boston. Finishing downtown was a treat with a nice fast last mile. Seeing the skyscrapers at the 20 mile mark and then watching them slowly grow larger as you approach is something to experience. The Doubletree Hotel and the Wells Fargo Building are the El Paso versions of Citgo sign in Boston. Summary: Positives- great new course, plenty of spectator viewing areas, inexpensive entry fee and plenty of reasonably priced hotel rooms, decent weather, still a small race (at least for one more year) just under 400 finishers (around 80% male, 20% female) (another 1800 runners ran the 5k and half marathon) Negative- cups, mile marker placement This race is a must run for all.

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Marathon Details - El Paso Marathon