Upcoming running races in and near Phoenix, Arizona - 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and more, with dates, pricing, finish-time stats, start-line maps, and local run clubs to train with.
Phoenix racing is shaped by the desert calendar more than anything else. Fall arrives and the city exhales - temperatures drop, the trails through South Mountain and Papago Park come alive, and races stack up from September through November. Canal paths, red rock singletrack, and wide greenbelt corridors give the scene a range that flat-city runners rarely encounter.
The post-run culture is real here. Downtown Tempe around Town Lake and the Grand Canalscape corridor both pull runners toward coffee shops and breweries after the finish, which fits neatly with a race calendar that leans hard into food-themed events. If you have run the greenbelt at dawn or the canal path under the dusk lights, you already know what these races are drawing from.
By the numbers
The Biggest and Longest-Running
The Phoenix races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Oct 25, 2026.
Common Questions About Racing in Phoenix
When is the best time of year to race in Phoenix?
Fall - September through November - is peak season, with 17 races on the calendar. November alone has 7. Summer is the quiet stretch: July is the lightest month with 2 races, and the full summer window of June through August carries only 6. Phoenix heat makes that scarcity easy to understand - the fall calendar is where the racing really happens.
Is Phoenix a good place for a first-time racer?
The format helps. Nearly every race here offers the 5K, 10K, and half marathon on the same day, so you can pick the distance that fits where you are in your training without hunting for a separate event. Thirty-three of the 35 races say they give a shirt, so you will not leave empty-handed at your first finish line.
Who can I train with before race day?
Phoenix has a strong group-run scene.
Active clubs include:
PHX Run Club
Valley Runners Run Club
Mikkeller Running Club Phoenix
Aravaipa Group Runs
USA FIT Phoenix
Sole Sports Group Runs
Surprise Running Club
That is seven options, spread across the metro, so there is likely one running near wherever you are based.
Are there any races happening in the summer despite the heat?
Yes - 6 races run during summer, with events in July and August. The Sloth Run, Run for Breast Cancer, Run for PB&J, and Bagel Run are among those scheduled in August 2026, all offering multiple distances including a 1 Mile option. Expect early morning start times and plan your heat strategy accordingly.
