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Marathon Details - Arizona Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > AZ > Goodyear > Arizona Marathon

Arizona Marathon

BMO HARRIS BANK Arizona Marathon & Half Marathon, Relay, 5K

Goodyear, AZ USA

February 24, 2018

http://www.thearizonamarathon.com

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2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 Top 3 Finishers

Contact Information

Name:	Debra Undhjem
Address:	14175 W. Indian School Rd, Ste B4 #629 Goodyear, Arizona 85395
Phone Number:	(623) 935-0322
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (27)

Course 4.1

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.3

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Number of comments: 27 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]

A. Beltran from Michigan (2/25/2017) "Great Marathon in the South!!" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my Marathon #15, I live in the Midwest so this was my winter break race and what a nice experience, the course is flat and scenic, the organization is excellent and this year is great. Plus was the starting line, normally starting line have regular porta-johns and regular facilities, this one had a great bathrooms, warm spaces to stretch, just perfect!!, the course winds by Luke AF base, so it is really cool to high five AF personel while running by the Aircraft, finish line is perfect - full of supporters, restaurants and bars where you can enjoy your free beer at the end...overall, I totally enjoy this race...great job volunteers and organizers!!
B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa (2/22/2017) "Flat, Fast, and Dull" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 A pleasant mostly downhill course that had too many long straight aways for my liking and not enough scenery to be interesting. A point to point race with shuttles busing runners to the start at an indoor staging area that was very pleasant. A nice finish area in Glenwood also. Packet pickup was small but easy to negotiate. On course support was just a little lacking. They could have used more water stations, particularly if it were warmer. There were gels at a few stations and enough port a lets. The shirt is very nice but the medal is too big and garish for my tastes. But at only $50 it was quite a value. If you're thirsty go to Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co and Sunup Brewing, both excellent choices.
R. W. from Boston, MA (2/22/2017) "Flat, fast course for your PR" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I just ran the Sun Health Arizona Marathon and scored a PR.The start is a quick downhill/uphill transition but the majority of the course is relatively flat and well marked. The scenery of the surrounding hills and flat fields in the early morning really allowed me to establish a good race pace without distraction. Only 200 runners were in the marathon this year so much of the race I was in a small group or alone. Portions of the race travel through quiet neighborhoods and some short tunnels that were partially flooded (1-2 inches) from the recent rains that happened overnight prior to the race. In the later portions of the race it travels through Luke AFB where you pass by fighter jets which was a nice visual distraction. The number of people to cheer you on is very limited during the race yet the finish in Glendale at the Westgate Entertainment District (WED) was great for spectators. I took the bus to the start area which was very convenient. In retrospect I should have stayed at a hotel at the WED and spared my wife the need to wake up at 5:15AM to drive me to the catch the AM bus to the start. There was ample water stops and the temperature was cooler with the misting rain we had during portions of the race. GU was offered at miles 10 and 20 (approximately). The majority of the race is on pavement and the marathon joins up with the slower 1/2 marathon people at the tail end of the race. I found the race well organized and the volunteers very helpful. I finished at 3:07:47 and was thrilled with my experience.
M. G. from Arizona (2/16/2016) "This gem has it all..." (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Arizona Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great value and perks - a must do! Easy packet pick up, updated FB page/emails, very easy parking/bussing to start. Indoor place to chill before gun time, on time start. Gentle down-hills one after another. Plenty of fluid stops. Thru several neighborhoods and towns including Luke AFB. Last 5 stark until the great finish with an overpass. Medal, shirt, personalized bib, friendly volunteers, food at the end. One caveat: weathernothing you can control. Sunny, in the 70s/80s just know that going in. If it's ever cooler, you could lay down a very fast time!
T. P. from Minneapolis (2/16/2016) "Fantastic Fast Arizona Marathon" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Fantastic marathon if you are looking for a fast marathon for Arizona. Great smaller marathon that is extremely well run and organized. Nice shirt and great spinner finishers medal. From the race director, volunteers, police, etc, they really try to provide you with a wonderful running experience. While this course is not lined with spectators, the spectators along the course will cheer you on. The pacers were fantastic. Great location running through the base when you need a distraction. The first half of the marathon is fast, so make sure to save some energy for the second half as the minor inclines and overpass (which is at mile 25.5) are your only challenges. Loved the free beer coupons that you could take to a bar to get your free beer and sit and watch other finishers. Stay near Westgate Mall area and you can walk to take the shuttle to the start and walk back to hotel from the finish. Marathon starts at 7AM before it starts to get hotter on the course.
D. M. from AZ (2/14/2016) "Pleasantly surprised" (about: 2016) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I did the half, which met the full at Luke AFB. This is a low frills, low spectator event but well organized with great people. If you want RnR madness, this ain't it. But it's cheap, fast and well run. Pros...cheap, nice start area, nice finish area. Well organized. Only 1 hill. Buses were right on schedule Cons...I wish they had a true expo and not just a packet pickup. Not much else to change...good for a n local runner not sure I'd recommend as a destination event...kinda bleak scenery. Water station were plentiful and stocked.
S. O. from Phoenix, AZ (10/19/2015) "Lightning fast course" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This course was not the most scenic of courses as it is in a pretty flat area of the valley, not close to any mountains and runs through several housing communities that all look the same. The main draw to this race is that it is lightning fast. There is one long stretch of roadway that has a slight downhill to it where you can really up the pace. Of course the incline 1/4 mile from the finish line stinks (a pedestrian overpass going into Westgate) however your finish line adrenaline kicks in and pushes you up and over. I felt the organization was superb and you get a lot of bang for your buck (being that this is one of the least expensive marathons in the state!). Nice race shirt, nice medal and decent post-race gathering in Westgate. As a local, I like this race and the smaller number of runners. I've done a lot of the bigger marathons such as the Rock n Roll series and it's nice not having to fight a crowd of 10,000+ at the start line. Overall, I would recommend experiencing this race at least once. For out of towners looking for more scenery, you would fare better with the Phoenix Rock N Roll Marathon (for a tour of Phoenix) or venture out a little further and do the Sedona Marathon (for some beautiful scenery of the red rocks!)
Yang Zhong from Arizona (2/17/2015) "Small but Great Race" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Arizona Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For those who love big events or fun/scenic races, the IMS AZ Marathon may not be what you are looking for. But other than that, it has everything that a well-organized marathon needs to offer: certified routes, chip timing, pre- and post-race accommodation, sufficient aid stations, tech shirt and a HUGE finisher medal. All for under $50 if you sign up early. Miles 20-22 in the Luke AFB is a big bonus. First several miles are mild downhill. You can warm up and still keep your target pace. I have a 27 minute PR this year and will definitely come back.
K. N. from Illinois (2/17/2014) "Desert Delight" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a wonderful race. The course is flat, except for an overpass near the end bring it on! The course is suburban, but look to the distance for a dazzling sunrise and magnificent mountains. My time was incredibly fast, perhaps because of the dryness and light winds. Organization was excellent, except that the packet pickup should be moved to the finish area. People at the aid stations were helpful and well organized. There were not enough fans, but those who came out were encouraging. Get a hotel near the finish, like the Hampton Inn Glendale Westlake and grab a shuttle to the start. Well done, Phoenix!
W. C. from Peoria AZ (2/17/2014) "Thanks IMS!" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Arizona Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This race has improved so much in the past several years; the director really seems to care about runners and their race experience. The packet pick-up was an absolute breeze. Finding the full marathon bus race morning was a bit tricky as it wasn't marked but I just had to ask around. The start area in Verrado is terrific with amentities such as running toilets and a warm community center where marathoners can relax; the big races usually upsell this VIP treatment for an atrocious fee(Rock n' Roll, I'm looking at you). Super supportive, enthusiastic volunteers, particularly in the first half. The course miles 1-15 is very fast. Police did an OUTSTANDING job controlling traffic. It would have been nice to have more enthusiastic spectators in the residential neighborhoods we looped through; I got the sense they weren't pleased by the traffic closures, and I felt bad about that. Miles 16-26 were more challenging, in particular because I was running by myself (this is a small marathon and the 3:40 pacer ran the first half too aggressively). Be aware that you need to save energy for the tougher, energy-draining last few miles of this race. The hill at mile 25 was, admittedly, brutal. It was a warm day for February, and it would have been great to have more volunteers/spectators at this point. I ended up walking the hill but still made my 3:45 BQ and really enjoyed myself overall. The best part is I registered for this race several months ago for all of $35 after missing my BQ for 2014 at a less organized, more expensive race. If you're looking for a small, quality, no-frills event in Arizona that actually gives its proceeds to charity (again, Rock 'n' Roll, I'm looking at you) give this race a try.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 > ]



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A. Beltran from Michigan (2/25/2017) "Great Marathon in the South!!" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my Marathon #15, I live in the Midwest so this was my winter break race and what a nice experience, the course is flat and scenic, the organization is excellent and this year is great. Plus was the starting line, normally starting line have regular porta-johns and regular facilities, this one had a great bathrooms, warm spaces to stretch, just perfect!!, the course winds by Luke AF base, so it is really cool to high five AF personel while running by the Aircraft, finish line is perfect - full of supporters, restaurants and bars where you can enjoy your free beer at the end...overall, I totally enjoy this race...great job volunteers and organizers!!
B. B. from Pittsburgh, Pa (2/22/2017) "Flat, Fast, and Dull" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 A pleasant mostly downhill course that had too many long straight aways for my liking and not enough scenery to be interesting. A point to point race with shuttles busing runners to the start at an indoor staging area that was very pleasant. A nice finish area in Glenwood also. Packet pickup was small but easy to negotiate. On course support was just a little lacking. They could have used more water stations, particularly if it were warmer. There were gels at a few stations and enough port a lets. The shirt is very nice but the medal is too big and garish for my tastes. But at only $50 it was quite a value. If you're thirsty go to Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co and Sunup Brewing, both excellent choices.
R. W. from Boston, MA (2/22/2017) "Flat, fast course for your PR" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I just ran the Sun Health Arizona Marathon and scored a PR.The start is a quick downhill/uphill transition but the majority of the course is relatively flat and well marked. The scenery of the surrounding hills and flat fields in the early morning really allowed me to establish a good race pace without distraction. Only 200 runners were in the marathon this year so much of the race I was in a small group or alone. Portions of the race travel through quiet neighborhoods and some short tunnels that were partially flooded (1-2 inches) from the recent rains that happened overnight prior to the race. In the later portions of the race it travels through Luke AFB where you pass by fighter jets which was a nice visual distraction. The number of people to cheer you on is very limited during the race yet the finish in Glendale at the Westgate Entertainment District (WED) was great for spectators. I took the bus to the start area which was very convenient. In retrospect I should have stayed at a hotel at the WED and spared my wife the need to wake up at 5:15AM to drive me to the catch the AM bus to the start. There was ample water stops and the temperature was cooler with the misting rain we had during portions of the race. GU was offered at miles 10 and 20 (approximately). The majority of the race is on pavement and the marathon joins up with the slower 1/2 marathon people at the tail end of the race. I found the race well organized and the volunteers very helpful. I finished at 3:07:47 and was thrilled with my experience.
M. G. from Arizona (2/16/2016) "This gem has it all..." (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Arizona Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great value and perks - a must do! Easy packet pick up, updated FB page/emails, very easy parking/bussing to start. Indoor place to chill before gun time, on time start. Gentle down-hills one after another. Plenty of fluid stops. Thru several neighborhoods and towns including Luke AFB. Last 5 stark until the great finish with an overpass. Medal, shirt, personalized bib, friendly volunteers, food at the end. One caveat: weathernothing you can control. Sunny, in the 70s/80s just know that going in. If it's ever cooler, you could lay down a very fast time!
T. P. from Minneapolis (2/16/2016) "Fantastic Fast Arizona Marathon" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Fantastic marathon if you are looking for a fast marathon for Arizona. Great smaller marathon that is extremely well run and organized. Nice shirt and great spinner finishers medal. From the race director, volunteers, police, etc, they really try to provide you with a wonderful running experience. While this course is not lined with spectators, the spectators along the course will cheer you on. The pacers were fantastic. Great location running through the base when you need a distraction. The first half of the marathon is fast, so make sure to save some energy for the second half as the minor inclines and overpass (which is at mile 25.5) are your only challenges. Loved the free beer coupons that you could take to a bar to get your free beer and sit and watch other finishers. Stay near Westgate Mall area and you can walk to take the shuttle to the start and walk back to hotel from the finish. Marathon starts at 7AM before it starts to get hotter on the course.
D. M. from AZ (2/14/2016) "Pleasantly surprised" (about: 2016) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I did the half, which met the full at Luke AFB. This is a low frills, low spectator event but well organized with great people. If you want RnR madness, this ain't it. But it's cheap, fast and well run. Pros...cheap, nice start area, nice finish area. Well organized. Only 1 hill. Buses were right on schedule Cons...I wish they had a true expo and not just a packet pickup. Not much else to change...good for a n local runner not sure I'd recommend as a destination event...kinda bleak scenery. Water station were plentiful and stocked.
S. O. from Phoenix, AZ (10/19/2015) "Lightning fast course" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This course was not the most scenic of courses as it is in a pretty flat area of the valley, not close to any mountains and runs through several housing communities that all look the same. The main draw to this race is that it is lightning fast. There is one long stretch of roadway that has a slight downhill to it where you can really up the pace. Of course the incline 1/4 mile from the finish line stinks (a pedestrian overpass going into Westgate) however your finish line adrenaline kicks in and pushes you up and over. I felt the organization was superb and you get a lot of bang for your buck (being that this is one of the least expensive marathons in the state!). Nice race shirt, nice medal and decent post-race gathering in Westgate. As a local, I like this race and the smaller number of runners. I've done a lot of the bigger marathons such as the Rock n Roll series and it's nice not having to fight a crowd of 10,000+ at the start line. Overall, I would recommend experiencing this race at least once. For out of towners looking for more scenery, you would fare better with the Phoenix Rock N Roll Marathon (for a tour of Phoenix) or venture out a little further and do the Sedona Marathon (for some beautiful scenery of the red rocks!)
Yang Zhong from Arizona (2/17/2015) "Small but Great Race" (about: 2015) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Arizona Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For those who love big events or fun/scenic races, the IMS AZ Marathon may not be what you are looking for. But other than that, it has everything that a well-organized marathon needs to offer: certified routes, chip timing, pre- and post-race accommodation, sufficient aid stations, tech shirt and a HUGE finisher medal. All for under $50 if you sign up early. Miles 20-22 in the Luke AFB is a big bonus. First several miles are mild downhill. You can warm up and still keep your target pace. I have a 27 minute PR this year and will definitely come back.
K. N. from Illinois (2/17/2014) "Desert Delight" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Arizona Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a wonderful race. The course is flat, except for an overpass near the end bring it on! The course is suburban, but look to the distance for a dazzling sunrise and magnificent mountains. My time was incredibly fast, perhaps because of the dryness and light winds. Organization was excellent, except that the packet pickup should be moved to the finish area. People at the aid stations were helpful and well organized. There were not enough fans, but those who came out were encouraging. Get a hotel near the finish, like the Hampton Inn Glendale Westlake and grab a shuttle to the start. Well done, Phoenix!
W. C. from Peoria AZ (2/17/2014) "Thanks IMS!" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Arizona Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This race has improved so much in the past several years; the director really seems to care about runners and their race experience. The packet pick-up was an absolute breeze. Finding the full marathon bus race morning was a bit tricky as it wasn't marked but I just had to ask around. The start area in Verrado is terrific with amentities such as running toilets and a warm community center where marathoners can relax; the big races usually upsell this VIP treatment for an atrocious fee(Rock n' Roll, I'm looking at you). Super supportive, enthusiastic volunteers, particularly in the first half. The course miles 1-15 is very fast. Police did an OUTSTANDING job controlling traffic. It would have been nice to have more enthusiastic spectators in the residential neighborhoods we looped through; I got the sense they weren't pleased by the traffic closures, and I felt bad about that. Miles 16-26 were more challenging, in particular because I was running by myself (this is a small marathon and the 3:40 pacer ran the first half too aggressively). Be aware that you need to save energy for the tougher, energy-draining last few miles of this race. The hill at mile 25 was, admittedly, brutal. It was a warm day for February, and it would have been great to have more volunteers/spectators at this point. I ended up walking the hill but still made my 3:45 BQ and really enjoyed myself overall. The best part is I registered for this race several months ago for all of $35 after missing my BQ for 2014 at a less organized, more expensive race. If you're looking for a small, quality, no-frills event in Arizona that actually gives its proceeds to charity (again, Rock 'n' Roll, I'm looking at you) give this race a try.

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Marathon Details - Arizona Marathon