The Desert Classic Marathon is an Arizona original. Join in on the tradition!

The Desert Classic is a marathon, marathon relay, a half marathon and 5K run starting and finishing at Riverboat Village, 18300 West Bell Road in Surprise.

The marathon, marathon relay and half marathon races begin at 7:00 AM. An early start for the marathon is available at 6:00 AM as long as you notify the race director prior to race day. The marathon course closes at 1:00 PM. There will be aid stations every 2 miles. The 5K race begins at 7:20 AM.

Awards
The marathon, half-marathon and 5K races will have the usual 5-year age groups for awards (gun time for overall and chip time for age groups). There is a marathon finisher's medal. The relay will use 10-year age groups (and the age group will be that of the youngest member of the team). There will be awards for female, male and coed teams. A coed team must have at least 2 female runners on a 5-person team.

Courses
The marathon (AZ10007TLB) and half marathon (AZ10008TLB) courses are certified by USA Track and Field. For more information, please call the Arizona Road Racers hotline at (602) 954-8341 or contact the race director Hal Gensler

• Marathon USATF Course
• Half Marathon USATF Course
• Start area
• Elevation chart for the marathon

Relay
The marathon relay will consist of four 5-mile legs and a 10K leg. A team consists of five members. Each member of the relay team needs to fill out a separate application. All entries for the relay team should be mailed in one envelope.

Desert Classic Marathon Relay Instructions

1. Team leader to pick up bibs and chips for all on team
2. Team leader to pick up wrist band
3. Team members will each pick up their own t-shirts
4. Each relay leg is out and back
5. The order of relay legs are 5 miles, 5 miles, 5 miles, 5 miles and a 10K
6. Before and after your leg please do not walk across the mats while wearing a chip
7. First leg goes out to cone at 2.5 miles, goes left around cone and comes back to start - through mats and 10 feet beyond will be another cone - go left around cone and hand off wrist band to relay leg 2 runner, have chip removed and goes to cheer on team
8. The second leg- enter chute area from the rear and stand on right side 10-15 feet behind the cone - approach cone as your teammate gets close
9. The second, third and fourth legs go out to cone at 2.5 miles, go left around cone, etc
10. The fifth leg goes out to cone at 3.1 miles, goes left around cone and comes back to start - through mats and 10 feet beyond in addition when you finish please place sweat band in bucket provided
11. The relay will be scored using gun time

Registration

• Online registration is now closed.
• Day-of-race registration is available and opens at 6:00 a.m. Payment via cash or check only.

Race Day Schedule

• Race day registration begins at 6:00 AM at the start line area.
• The marathon, half marathon and the first leg of the marathon relay begin at 7:00 AM.
• The 5K run will start at 7:20 AM.
• An early start of 6:00 AM is available -- as long as you give prior notice (e.g., before the day of the race).
• NEW for 2012: Runners who take the early start are not eligible for overall or age group awards.
• Half marathon awards will be presented at 9:15 AM and marathon awards will be presented at 11:15 AM.

Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer at this event, please click here!