The 10th annual Mesa Marathon is Feb. 12 and will start on Usery Mountain and end at Mesa Riverview shopping center.
Marathon runners will experience nearly 1,000 feet of net elevation loss in the fast Boston qualifier, according to a release.
It is one of the largest urban marathons in the U.S. and has distances of a full marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles) and a 10K, and a 1K distance for children.
Go to MesaMarathon.com for more information.
“The Mesa Marathon presented by Mountain Vista Medical Center — previously known as the Mesa-Phoenix Marathon — is the premier race in Arizona. Runners receive the race experience and perks of a major marathon as well as the personalized service and local flavor of your favorite hometown race. Race day is all about the runner, from industry-leading shirts and medals to unmatched course support and the best finish experience to be found,” according to the website.
“Spectators are welcomed and encouraged along the vast majority of the route. Please be considerate of public and private property and never interfere with the progress of any race participant. Spectators are required to follow the instructions of volunteers and law enforcement officers at all times,” it states.
Recommended cheering locations:
- Southeast or southwest corner of Hawes Road and East McDowell Road.
- Community park on North Ridgecrest just North of East McDowell Road.
- Corner of North Power Road and East Thomas Road.
- 5000 E. McDowell Road. (The Boeing Co.).
- 4136 E. McDowell Road. (Waxie Sanitary Supply), west of North Greenfield Road on East McDowell Road. (Eastbound traffic is closed 6-7 a.m., but you can park on the south side of East McDowell Road. or behind Waxie Sanitary Supply by entering on East Virginia Street, north of North Greenfield Road.)
- Corner of North Val Vista Road and East Brown Road.
- 2700 E. Brown Road (Mountain View High School) on East Brown Road and North Lindsey Road.
- Corner of Mesa Drive and East Brown Road.
- Banner Corporate Center on North Date (525 W. Brown Road)
- 945 W. Rio Salado Parkway (Westwood High School)
- 48 N. Robson (inside the Bungalow)
- Finish Line approach on Bass Pro Drive.