Phoenix bids to host US marathon trials for 2028 Olympics

By Mark Carlisle
Mail | X: @mwcarlisle

Phoenix wants to host the marathon trials for the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2028 Olympics.

The Phoenix City Council voted 9-0 last week for the city to bid to host the event in the lead-up to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The U.S. Olympic Team marathon trials are held in a U.S. city each year. The last time the U.S. hosted they Olympics, the host city — Atlanta — also hosted the marathon trials.

If Phoenix were awarded the bid, the marathon would take place in March 2028 on city streets. City staff projects an economic impact of $13.5 million due to spending on hotels, travel, dining and other tourism industries. The event is expected to bring more than 100,000 spectators as well as a hotel room block of about 1,500 rooms for athletes, coaches and Olympics staff.

These event is also expected to bring 250 national and international media members to Phoenix, 1.6 million TV viewers nationally across NBC and Peacock, as well as approximately 21 million social media impressions. The city estimates the media value of that exposure at $27 million.

“This bid is a smart investment in our economy, our reputation and our long-term vision for Phoenix as a premiere destination for major national and international events,” Councilmember Kesha Hodge Washington said during the Wednesday, Nov. 19 meeting.

The city’s commitment as the host of the marathon trials would be similar to services it regularly provides for large events, Hodge Washington said. That includes use of city-controlled venues like the Phoenix Convention Center, public safety support and emergency preparedness services, traffic coordination, providing a dedicated city liaison, facilitating branding, décor, signage and street pole banners and providing assistance with permitting coordination, licensing and plan reviews.

Two companies are vying to host the event should it be awarded to Phoenix: Brooksee, which runs the Phoenix and Mesa marathons as well as other races across the country, and the Mollen Mile 10k race, which also hosted a marathon for the first time this year.

Phil Dumontet, CEO of Brooksee, said his company immediately knew they wanted to bid on the Olympic marathon trials and began to consider which of their partner cities would be the best fit.

“Phoenix immediately rose to the top as the clear choice,” Dumontet said.

Dr. Art Mollen is the founder of the Mollen Mile race, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. He said his group should be considered in a part of any bid made for this event because of its local expertise and relationship with the running community.

“I think that we could definitely be a significant component in helping Phoenix to obtain that bid for the 2028 Olympic marathon trials,” Mollen said.

Mollen’s wife Paige said their bid doesn’t have to compete with Brooksee’s but that they would like any opportunity to be included.

Councilmember Kevin Robinson included that sentiment in his motion for the vote, saying that whatever race producer is awarded a contract with the city should put forth a “good faith effort to partner with a local nonprofit organization with significant experience in Olympics and local running events,” Robinson said.

Mayor Kate Gallego agreed.

“I like that it recognizes local expertise as very important to national,” she said.

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Mark Carlisle
Associate Editor | Phoenix

mcarlisle@iniusa.org

Meet Mark

Mark Carlisle joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, covering Glendale. He has since moved to the Daily Independent team, primarily covering the city of Phoenix along with other topics affecting the Valley at-large.

Community: Mark enjoys taking his two young sons to parks, the Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Public Library  and other fun events around the Valley. He also participates in a local book club.

Education: Chapman University with a BA in English Journalism and one in Screenwriting.

Random Fact: Mark worked at a tuxedo shop in college. Just don’t ask him to tie a bowtie.

 Hobbies: Spending time with his wife, sons and dog, watching sports and TV shows, listening to audiobooks and occasionally writing fiction or designing a board game.