The Mesa Marathon offers a classic point-to-point journey renowned for its fast, net-downhill profile, making it a favorite for runners targeting personal bests and Boston Qualifying times. The course begins in the scenic desert outskirts of northeast Mesa, descending from the foothills of the Usery Mountain Recreation Area toward the city's urban core.

This dramatic change in scenery comes with a course profile that rewards strategic racing. With a total elevation loss of nearly 300 meters against just 72 meters of gain, runners can take advantage of gravity's assistance while managing their effort wisely.

Race day weather in February typically provides ideal marathon conditions. Historical data shows you can expect a cool start with temperatures in the low single digits Celsius, warming to the comfortable high teens by late morning. The 6:30 AM start means you'll begin running in twilight, with the first several kilometers unfolding before sunrise.

Since February usually brings minimal precipitation and clear skies, prepare for increasing sun exposure during the second half as the day warms up.

The course naturally divides into three distinct segments. The opening 20 kilometers feature a sustained, gentle downhill that helps establish a strong rhythm. Watch for the single notable climb and descent through the Las Sendas community around the 8-kilometer mark—it's the only significant interruption to the early downhill flow.

After the halfway point, the course character shifts dramatically as you transition onto Mesa's flat urban grid. This final phase tests your strength and pacing discipline, requiring you to shift from riding the downhill momentum to generating consistent forward drive all the way to the finish line at Riverview Park.

• Event Date: February 14, 2026
• Event Type: Road Marathon
• GPX Course Length: 42.2 km
• Course Type: Point to Point
• TrailScore: 45.62
• Total Ascent: 72.03 m
• Total Descent: 294.89 m
• Longest Uphill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 6.43, 2.47 km at an average grade of 2.36%
• Longest Downhill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 3.29, 3.14 km at an average grade of -1.96%
• Steepest Uphill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 6.43, 2.47 km at an average grade of 2.36%
• Steepest Downhill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 8.89, 2.3 km at an average grade of -2.56%
• Significant Climbs:
  • There are a total of 1 significant climbs on the course.
• Significant Descents:
  • There are a total of 4 significant descents on the course.
• Grade Distribution:
  • Flat: 65.8%
  • Minor Decline: 24.5%
  • Minor Incline: 5.8%
  • Moderate Decline: 3.1%
  • Moderate Incline: 0.8%

Your race begins in the pre-dawn quiet of the desert, about 40 minutes before sunrise. The 6:30 AM start means you'll run the first few kilometers in low-light conditions as you head south on N Usery Pass Road before turning west onto E McDowell Road.

From the outset, the course delivers on its promise of a net-downhill profile, with a consistent and gentle descent that invites a quick rhythm. This fast, forgiving section offers an opportunity to settle into your race effort as the open desert landscape emerges with the rising sun.

• Pacing Discipline: Resist the temptation to run too fast, even if it feels easy. The real race begins on the flats after the halfway mark. Trust your pacing plan to conserve quad strength for later.
• Low-Light Conditions: The start is before sunrise, so be mindful of your footing and the runners around you for the first 30-40 minutes until daylight improves.

• None.

• Descent #1: Km 1.48 to Km 2.8, 1.32 km, avg grade -2.27%, total drop 30 m

• Station A - McDowell Rd & Hawes Rd area (Km 4.8)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes

• Hawes Rd & McDowell Rd Corner (~Km 4.8) (Spectator Zone): First major spectator cheering location near the aid station.

This section presents the primary uphill challenge of the entire course. Just before the 8-kilometer mark, the route turns north off McDowell Road and enters the residential community of Las Sendas via Ridgecrest. Here, you'll face a sustained climb of approximately 32 meters over 1.15 kilometers.

While the grade remains manageable, its placement after a fast opening descent demands a strategic shift in effort. You'll need to dial back your pace and find a steady rhythm to navigate this climb efficiently. The ascent peaks near kilometer 8.9, where the course transitions into a winding, rolling descent along E Eagle Crest Drive.

This downhill segment differs notably from the race's opening stretch, featuring more frequent turns that require greater attention to form and pacing. Runners who maintain control and efficiency through these curves will be rewarded with smoother momentum heading into the final portions of the course.

• Effort Management on the Climb: This is the most significant sustained uphill on the course. Moderate your effort to maintain a steady rhythm without burning unnecessary energy.
• Navigating the Rolling Descent: Following the climb, the descent has more curves than other parts of the course. Focus on maintaining your form and a consistent pace through the turns.

• Climb #1: Km 7.74 to Km 8.89, 1.15 km, avg grade 2.81%, total gain 32.32 m

• Descent #2: Km 9.71 to Km 11.19, 1.48 km, avg grade -3.11%, total drop 46.01 m

• Station B - N Ridgecrest (Las Sendas) (Km 8)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station C - E Eagle Crest Dr, Las Sendas (Km 11.3)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes

• Ridgecrest Community Park (~Km 8) (Spectator Zone): A popular cheering spot located near the base of the Las Sendas climb.

After exiting the Las Sendas community, the course returns to its predominantly westward path along N Power Road and E McDowell Road. This long stretch features a fast, net-downhill profile with a series of minor and moderate descents that help you establish a strong, consistent rhythm.

The landscape gradually shifts from residential neighborhoods to more commercial and suburban surroundings. Around kilometer 20.57, you'll pass the start line for the half marathon.

The roads through this section are wide and straight, providing excellent forward visibility and plenty of room to navigate. However, these open stretches also mean increased exposure to the sun as the morning progresses, so be prepared for warming conditions along this portion of the course.

• Maintaining Focus: The long, straight sections can be mentally taxing. Lock into your rhythm and pacing to stay engaged.
• Run Your Own Race: The half marathon start is on the course near kilometer 20.57, bringing a new wave of energy and potential to encounter runners at slower paces than your own from here through the end of the race (though likely not right away).

• None.

• Descent #3: Km 13.49 to Km 13.98, 0.49 km, avg grade -2.25%, total drop 11.12 m
• Descent #4: Km 19.42 to Km 19.58, 0.16 km, avg grade -3.65%, total drop 6 m

• Station D - N Power Rd vicinity (Km 14.5)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station E - E McDowell Rd & N Recker Rd (Km 17.7)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station F - E McDowell Rd & N Greenfield Rd area (Km 20.9)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes

• Harriet Tubman Statue (~Km 11.84): A point of interest passed as you exit the Las Sendas neighborhood.
• Power Rd & Thomas Rd Corner (~Km 14.5) (Spectator Zone): Spectator zone near the aid station.
• Mesa Marathon Half Start Line (~Km 20.57): The official starting point for the half marathon event.
• WAXIE Sanitary Supply (~Km 20.9) (Spectator Zone): A designated cheering location on E McDowell Rd.

The course profile changes dramatically after turning south onto N Lindsay Road and west onto E Brown Road. The noticeable downhill of the first half vanishes, replaced by an exceptionally flat profile that stretches ahead for approximately 10 kilometers through Mesa's urban grid.

This section is where the marathon truly tests your fitness and mental resolve. The long, straight roads offer little variation, making this a critical phase where your ability to maintain a consistent, self-sustained rhythm becomes paramount. Without the assistance of downhill momentum, you'll need to rely entirely on your own pacing and determination.

The scenery shifts to primarily suburban and commercial landscapes during this stretch. While these surroundings may lack the visual interest of earlier sections, successfully managing your pace and focus here is essential for setting up a strong finish. This is the portion of the race that separates those who've trained for the full distance from those who may have relied too heavily on the early downhill advantage.

• The Mental Grind: The flat, repetitive roads can be challenging. Break this section down into smaller segments, focusing on reaching the next aid station to stay engaged.
• Pacing on the Flats: Without the aid of gravity, maintaining goal pace requires constant, conscious effort. Your perception of effort will change here; monitor your pace closely to avoid an unintentional slowdown.

• None.

• None.

• Station G - N Lindsay Rd & E Brown Rd (Km 24.1)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station H - E Brown Rd corridor (Gilbert area) (Km 27.4)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station I - E Brown Rd & N Mesa Dr (Km 30.6)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes

• Mt. View High School (~Km 24.1) (Spectator Zone): Cheering location at the corner of Brown Rd and Lindsay Rd.
• Mesa Dr & Brown Rd Corner (~Km 30.6) (Spectator Zone): Spectator zone near the aid station as you approach downtown.

The final 8.5 kilometers guide you through the heart of downtown Mesa toward the finish. The course becomes more dynamic here, with a series of turns that break up the long straightaways you've been running. You'll navigate from E 1st Street onto N Robson, then W University Drive and N Center Street, passing several local landmarks along the way.

The terrain remains nearly flat throughout this section, requiring mental fortitude to maintain your pace as fatigue sets in. After a final long stretch on W Rio Salado Parkway, the route makes its last turn north into the finish area at Riverview.

The increased number of turns through downtown, combined with growing crowd energy and spectator support, can provide the mental boost you need for that final push to the finish line.

• Navigating Late-Race Turns: After kilometers of straight running, the frequent turns require renewed focus, especially on tired legs.
• Finishing Strong: This is the final push. Use the energy of the crowds to lift your spirits, but be careful not to surge too early. Maintain a strong, steady effort all the way through the finish line.

• None.

• None.

• Station J - W University Dr corridor, Downtown Mesa (Km 33.8)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station K - W University Dr & N Center St (Km 35.4)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station L - N Date → W Rio Salado Pkwy transition (Km 37)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station M - W Rio Salado Pkwy east of Riverview Park (Km 38.6)
  • Offerings: Skratch Lemon-Lime Hydration, Water
  • Toilet: Yes

• Arizona Museum of Natural History (~Km 34.7): A notable landmark in downtown Mesa.
• idea Museum (~Km 34.86): A museum passed as you run through the downtown area.
• Inside the Bungalow (~Km 35) (Spectator Zone): Spectator cheering zone at 48 North Robson.
• Banner Corporate Center (~Km 38.5) (Spectator Zone): Cheering location on N Date.
• Sce:dagĭ Mu:val Va’aki (~Km 38.64): A historical landmark near the turn onto Rio Salado Parkway.
• Westwood High School (~Km 39.4) (Spectator Zone): Spectator zone along W Rio Salado Pkwy.
• Finish Line Approach (~Km 42.1) (Spectator Zone): The final stretch on N. Riverview leading to the finish.