Mesa Marathon

Location: Mesa, Arizona
Country: United States
Website: https://mesamarathon.com
2025 Marathon Date: 08/02/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 14/02/2026
Winning Time 2025: 2:18:41
% Sub-3s: 5–10%
# Sub-3s: 100–499
Total Runners: 3k–10k

The Mesa Marathon is held each February in Mesa, Arizona, and is widely regarded as one of the fastest early-season marathons in the United States. With its gentle net downhill, wide roads and predictable weather, the Mesa Marathon attracts a strong field of amateur runners targeting personal bests, Boston qualifiers and early-year benchmarks.

The course starts in the Usery Mountain Regional Park and descends steadily through suburban and commercial areas into downtown Mesa. While technically downhill, the gradient is subtle enough not to disrupt rhythm. The first half is largely open and quiet, with long stretches of straight road. The second half passes through more developed areas, but the route remains spacious and easy to navigate throughout.

Weather conditions in February are typically cool and dry. Race start temperatures often sit between 5–10°C, with low humidity and minimal wind. These factors combine to create an environment well suited to sustained marathon pacing. Rain is rare, and conditions are usually consistent from start to finish.

The event is well organised, with reliable transport to the start, ample porta-potties, and efficient wave management. Aid stations are frequent and staffed by enthusiastic volunteers. The finish area in downtown Mesa is compact but well managed, with plenty of space to recover and refuel.

Spectator support is moderate, with larger crowds near the finish and some musical entertainment along the route. The race does not feature major city landmarks but compensates with clear logistics and a course built for performance.

The Mesa Marathon is an attractive option for sub-3 runners looking for a fast, uncomplicated race with minimal environmental variables. Its strong US amateur field provides pacing opportunities throughout, especially in the early miles. For those looking to capitalise on winter training or secure a qualifying time early in the year, the Mesa Marathon delivers a dependable and performance-focused experience.