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Sat, Feb 27 · 2027El Paso, TXSince 2007

El Paso Marathon

The El Paso Marathon runs a loop through downtown and the surrounding city streets at high desert elevation, with a manageable elevation spread and open registration that makes it an accessible Boston qualifier target.

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EL PASO · US
El Paso
SAT, FEB 27
2027
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Race Overview

EST. 2007

El Paso is a low-key, no-frills marathon that delivers a genuine shot at a Boston qualifier without a lot of drama. The loop starts and finishes downtown near San Jacinto Plaza, and you spend the miles working through city streets and the surrounding neighborhoods. The course is flat enough that your legs won't be the limiting factor. But you're running at high desert altitude the whole time, and if you're coming from sea level, that matters. Don't go out on Boston-qualifying pace from mile one and assume the fitness will carry you.

This is a small field, so the race has a quiet, focused feel. You won't get massive crowd support through every mile, but the low-pressure atmosphere suits runners who are here to work. Registration is open, early-bird pricing is reasonable, and you don't need to fight a lottery. It fills up, so sign up early once the window opens. If you want a February race where you control your entry, the course is genuinely flat, and you've got a real shot at punching your ticket to Boston, El Paso is worth a serious look.

Field size
~657
657 finishers
BQ rate
5%
Below national average
Time limit
6:00
Tight cutoff
Entry
Open
First-come registration
Course records
Men
2:33:53
Dylan Villescas
2015
Women
2:55:13
Colleen Everett
2023

The Course

Total ascent
—
Total descent
—
Net elevation
—
Highest point
3,964 ft
Lowest point
3,698 ft
Course shape
Loop
Start and finish in one place

The loop course sits entirely above 3,600 feet, with the spread between low and high points under 270 feet. Net elevation is essentially flat, but running at altitude adds subtle effort, especially in the back half. Because specific gain and loss data isn't published, treat any rolling stretches as unknown variables and don't bank too aggressively early. The loop format means no net downhill advantage, so pace should be even from the gun. February conditions typically favor fast running, which makes the altitude the main variable to account for on race day.

View official course mapPast results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median
Low
40°F
High
70°F
30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°
What to expect

February in El Paso can surprise you with the range. The start is cold, often in the low 40s, so wear a throwaway layer for the corral. By the time you're in the back half of the race, temperatures can climb toward 70, and the desert sun is direct with little shade on open stretches. That swing from cold to warm in a single race means layering smart matters more than it does in most winter marathons. The conditions can favor a fast day if you manage the second-half warmth, but don't let the chilly start trick you into overdressing.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration on RunSignup platform with tiered pricing from $95 (early bird) to $145 (final deadline). Charity entries available through designated fundraising partners.

Register on RunSignup

Logistics

For runners travelling in
Closest airport
ELP
7 mi
from the start
≈ 11 min transferOn the doorstep
What to expect

El Paso International Airport is the nearest major airport, roughly 7 miles from downtown where the race starts and finishes. Most runners stay in downtown El Paso hotels within walking distance of San Jacinto Plaza or nearby Convention Center area.

Frequently Asked

7 questions