2026 Desert Classic Half Marathon & 5K January 24, 2026

The Desert Classic is an Arizona original. Join the tradition this year on Saturday January 24th for your choice of a half marathon or 5K race starting and finishing at Thunderbird Paseo Park, Glendale, AZ.  Both courses are professionally marked and chip timed.

Cost is $45 for the half marathon ($40 for ARR members), and $30 for the 5K ($25 for ARR members). Your ARR member discount will show on your total during checkout.  Prices go up after January 11th, to $50 for the half marathon and $35 for the 5K for both members and non-members.  

Half Marathoners must be 14 years of older on RACE day.  Note that the Half Marathon course will close at 11:30 am, 18 min/mi. pace.

Start Times:
Half Marathon:  7:30 am. 
5K:  8:15  am

Location:  Thunderbird Paseo Park, Glendale, AZ

Note:  Registration closes on RACE day morning at 7:00 am for the half marathon and 7:45 am for the 5k.  Registration on RACE day will only be through Run Sign Up.  There will be NO paper RACE day registrations.

Aid Stations:  There will be 6 aid stations for the Half Marathon with water and gatorade, and 2 Aid stations for the 5k, water only.

Finisher Medals:  In lieu of race shirts, all finishers in the Half and the 5K will receive a custom finisher medal. 

Packet Pickup:  Bib numbers will be available for pickup on race day from 6:30 am – 8:00 AM.

Awards:  Both races will have 5-year age group awards (all awards will be based on chip time).

To Sign up to Volunteer:  

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084EABA82BA7FE3-61269896-arrdesert