How do I register for the Mesa Marathon?

Registration is open to everyone at mesamarathon.com. No lottery or qualifying time is required. The race has a field cap, so it's worth registering early once you've committed to the date.

Is the Mesa Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston. The race consistently sees a strong percentage of finishers hit BQ standards, helped by the course's net downhill profile and cool February conditions.

What is the elevation profile like?

The course is point-to-point with nearly 1,000 feet of net descent and only about 72 feet of gain. It starts above 2,000 feet in the high desert and drops steadily into Mesa. It's a fast-running course, but sustained downhill grades can tax the quads late if you go out too hard.

What weather should I expect on race day?

February in Mesa is typically mild and dry. Expect temperatures in the mid-50s at the 6:30 AM start, warming into the upper 60s to low 70s by the time later finishers cross the line. Desert conditions mean low humidity and minimal wind most years.

What is the time limit for the Mesa Marathon?

The time limit is 6.5 hours from the start.

How large is the field?

The race has a cap in place, with recent fields around 2,500 participants. It fills before race day, so registering early is advisable.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the Mesa Marathon course is USATF certified, which is required for times submitted as Boston qualifying marks.

Sat, Feb 13 · 2027Mesa, AZSince 2012

Mesa Marathon

Mesa Marathon drops nearly a thousand feet from the high desert into the city, with cool February air and a course built for fast times. It's a straightforward shot at your best marathon.

Net downhillOpen

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MESA · US

Mesa

SAT, FEB 13

2027

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Race Overview

EST. 2012

Mesa runs point-to-point through the Arizona desert in February, and it is set up from the start to help you run fast. The course drops about a thousand feet over 26 miles, starting in the high desert and finishing in Mesa proper. The air is cool at the gun, usually mid-50s, which is about as good as it gets for marathon weather. Don't let the downhill fool you into banking free miles early. The descent is real, but so is the quad burn if you treat the first half like a tempo run.

This is a flat-to-downhill course with one job: get you to a fast finish. If a Boston qualifier or a personal best is the goal, Mesa is worth a serious look. Registration is open, so you can sign up directly without a lottery or time qualifier. It does fill up, so don't sit on it too long if you have a specific race on the calendar. Show up rested, dress in layers you can shed, and let the course do its part.

Field size

~2.5k

2,500 finishers

BQ rate

16%

Above national average

Time limit

6:30

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:19:09

JJ Santana

2026

Women

2:38:54

Tiaree Towler

2026

The Course

72 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑72 ft

Total descent

↓1,000 ft

Net elevation

↓928 ft

Highest point

2,063 ft

Lowest point

1,197 ft

Course shape

Point to point

Different start and finish

Mesa is a point-to-point course with close to 1,000 feet of net descent and only 72 feet of gain, making it one of the more aggressively downhill certified marathons in the Southwest. The course starts above 2,000 feet and drops steadily toward Mesa's lower elevations. Front-loaded descents tempt early aggression; resist them. Quad fatigue from sustained downhill running can surface after mile 18 if you go out hard. The dry desert air and February temperatures support fast times, but the cumulative eccentric load on legs is real. Treat the first half as controlled banking, not free speed.

DIFFICULTYFLATPR-FRIENDLYMODERATE

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Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

45°F

High

73°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

February in Mesa gives you a cold start and a warm finish, and you need to plan for both. You'll likely be in throwaway layers at the gun, but by the back half the temperature climbs into the low-to-mid 70s and the sun is fully up. It's dry, so it won't feel oppressive, but don't let the pleasant morning fool you into skipping hydration. If you're chasing a time, the front half of the race is your friend.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration available at mesamarathon.com. Marathon registration is currently $149. Registration fills up; priority registration periods may apply.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

PHX

10 mi

from the start

≈ 16 min transferOn the doorstep

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into PHX, about 10 miles from the start, right on the doorstep by rideshare or transit, roughly a 16-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Mesa, AZ so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.