Marie Johnson's Staging Area

The Phoenix Marathon (formerly the Phoenix–Mesa Marathon) aimed to return with a new scenic, point-to-point, Boston-qualifying course, but the execution fell short. I registered for the half marathon because it was the inaugural race, and I hoped it would become a staple on my running calendar. Unfortunately, based on this experience, I am reconsidering that idea.

The race was disorganized from the start. Runners were unclear about where the starting line was located, and the portable potties were placed nearly a mile away. There was also confusion over whether the start was at 56th Street and Desert Drive or at 7th Avenue and Glendale.

Additionally, the canal portion of the course was not scenic at all and, in several areas, was too narrow to safely accommodate the number of runners. It quickly became crowded and claustrophobic, requiring constant navigation through groups of people. The climb through Papago Park just two miles before the finish was especially challenging and felt poorly planned.

I hope the organizers take this feedback into consideration and make improvements to the course and logistics for future races.

I chose to run the road to complete Utah. This road is one mile long and I had to run it back and forth, 13 times! But I finished it with my sanity still intact. Some of the runners chose to run a full marathon on this one-mile road!!! I absolutely do not have the mental capacity for that! To stay sane, I listened to podcast and switched to music when I needed a pep in my step. So far, I’ve made so many great connections and got inspired by those running against their adversity! This race is tough in many ways but it is also fulfilling on so many levels. Just in case you are interested the Ute Mountain Casino is located 30 minutes from my Airbnb and also the same distance from the Four Corners Monument. To get to the race location, you can get there by just putting “Four Corners Monument” in your GPS and it will take you right there.

This race truly rolled out the red carpet for its runners. There were countless pre- and post-race events to enjoy, including shakeout runs, and the expo was absolutely top-notch. It was the first expo I’ve ever attended where I stayed the entire day. We listened to inspiring speakers, practiced yoga, took plenty of photos, enjoyed treats, and connected with so many fellow runners.

Race day itself was nerve-wracking because I didn’t have the training mileage needed for a full marathon. I had signed up late, mistakenly assuming there would be a half marathon option. Once I realized I had just seven weeks to build mileage, I stayed committed and trusted the process.

Despite it being my slowest marathon time to date, it was also one of my best finishes. I crossed the line smiling and, for the first time in a marathon, didn’t hit the proverbial wall. The experience reminded me that I am capable of doing hard things.

Above all, the camaraderie among the runners was incredible. We truly ran as one—leaning on each other for encouragement and strength when things got tough. Together, it felt like there was nothing we couldn’t do.

As expected on Day 3, my body started to break down in some ways. My left hip started hurting at the very started of the race. Per usual, we could choose between trail or road, I opted to do trail instead but four miles in my leg started screaming at me and so I switched to road which made it somewhat is easier. I was limping most of the way until someone offered me Icy Hot and I was able to finish the last two miles with more ease. Tom kept the swag coming when we checked in the morning, there was entertainment, good food including fried bread. A masseuse was stationed on site to give us a massage at the end of the race. Many of the runners kept her busy today. If you are looking for things to do after the race, Shiprock pinnacle is located 40 minutes from the starting line and some people visited Mesa Verde National Park to visit the cliff dwellings as well.

I embarked on crossing the finish line of my first full marathon and the Mesa Marathon was it. I had been intimidated by the 26.2-mile challenge but I took a leap of faith in 2020 to concur it (hence, it’s a leap year). Whatever the apprehension that I may have had at the starting line, the fireworks bursting in the darkness in the middle of the desert propelled me towards a strong finish. Along the road, the aid stations were super encouraging, runners leaned on each other for moral support as the miles felt endless, and at the finish line, I was met with cheering spectators. This was a personal victory and an automatic PR. Key Advice: Get to the bus on time. There was no signage to find the right bus for the marathon. Each race had its own bus to the starting line. It felt like I ran a 5K before I got to the right one. Great warm-up, though.

The last quarter mile of the race leads into the Gilbert Parade. It was my first time running this half and I didn’t expect the WHOLE town to come out to this shing-ding. The Gilbert Half has the most electrifying finish. The crowd gave me an extra boost of energy to finish with gusto. This race is very, very organized and runners are supported with enthusiasm from the first to the last mile. The starting line and finish are in two different locations. And they have buses loading runners back to their cars at the starting point and it was a smooth process. It’s definitely a must-do. The expo was a bit crowded but full of fun things to check out.

The best thing about this race was my Wicked fast PR time for a half-marathon! The race was fairly large. Though runners were encouraged to dress up for the Halloween theme, not a whole lot of people followed suit. A few people were brave enough to run in costume. I didn’t cause I like to run light. The race took place at a very large park and runners shared the road with bicyclists, walkers, and joggers. The route is not very scenic. But there were plenty of snacks and a few vendors. And I’m glad we weren’t given a goodie bag. You just check-in, grab your shirt, pin your bib, and run. The medal is a cool bat. The race was very organized and it’s a good one to check off your race list.

St. Jude was the first fundraising race for me and I was thrilled to have raised a significant amount of money to make an impact in the search for a cure. Running to save children got me speeding through the course as it turned out to be my fastest 5K yet! I love the cause, the perks, and the crowd. But I can’t say the same for the course because it was set up at a large park, and we ran around an unpaved and rocky track. Nonetheless, it was a lot of fun, food, drinks, and goodies to take home. Fundraising is hard work and it was a privilege to run for a great cause.

I signed up to run the Half marathon at the Hippity Hop. Morning of the race I got dropped off at the wrong location. And I found out the race was 3 miles away from where I was standing. My ride was long gone. So, what’s a runner to do? Run to the starting line of course! By the time I got to the right location, the Half was already 30 minutes in progress. The 10k shotgun went off 10 minutes prior to my arrival and the 5K runners were getting ready to take off. So, once again, what’s a runner to do? I choose the middle of the road answer and ran the 10K. To my surprise, I crossed the finish line at a decent time and got placed third in my age group. My first race award ever! Hip Hip, Hooray! The race was a lot of fun. There was a decent size group of runners present, the weather was heavenly and the atmosphere was friendly. Runners had to share the road with non-runners (which I don’t really like). But it’s definitely on my list for next year and I intend to run the Half this time (now that I know where the starting line is located).

The first time I ran the Lost Dutchman, I knew I would be back for another. Seeing the firing glow of the sun peaking behind the mountains that early in the morning was enough reason. Despite the running crowd, you can feel “lost” from just the great view alone. It’s one of those races that have found a permanent place on my running list year after year. It’s made up of all the best race ingredients: great weather, flat course, fun-filled and well-managed.

This race is one of two 5K races. You run one before the old year retires and one to begin the New Year with a start. Hence, Midnight Madness. It’s a novel way to commemorate the beginning and the end of time. It is worth checking this race off your list. You must know that at that hour, it is dark and cold. It’s a fairly small race for runners who aren’t faint of heart. The energy is upbeat and runners are ready to turn over a new leaf. Ready to commit to run stronger, harder, and smarter. “Bubbly” is served at midnight and the bling is super cool.

The hills are Alive on this race-course!!! If you skipped hills in your training, think twice before signing up for this one. It’s a rude awakening for feeble, untrained legs. And no matter how many miles you have behind you on the course, don’t believe anybody in the crowd when they call out, “Last hill. Last hill!” The hills are never-ending… you hear me?! Nonetheless, the scenic route is worth all the shuffling your tired legs go through. And the best part about reaching the top of the hill at mile-something is seeing the spread of runners below you and it just brings you such tangible happiness at that particular moment! Altogether the race is well-managed from start to finish. And the crowd makes it so much more fun. So many smiles to see, so many signs to read along the way.

My family and I have been attending the 12K’s of Christmas as part of our holiday tradition. And we bring our fur-babies with us and dressed up. We’ve even won third place in the pet costume contest two years in a row. It’s a good time, a great way to support local animal organizations, adopt pets and buy some goodies. In 2017, I ran the 6K and the course was OK. It’s mainly a dirt path and we had to run across a couple of major streets. Since then, we just do the Sled Walk and enjoy the scenery. It’s quite an event for the community, animal lovers and runners.

The Rock-n-Roll AZ Marathon has become one of my staple races over the years. The best part is reaching mile 8 and passing the drummers by Papago Park and seeing the layout of the city.

In 2016, I checked off my Bucket List the long-standing goal of running a marathon. A friend challenged me to run the Half Marathon and I accepted. We agreed to do the Rock-n-Roll Marathon. We trained for two whole months, barely. The course was challenging but encouraging with all the fanfare and different types of bands playing cool sounds along the way. I just wanted to check a goal off my list and move on. But when I crossed that finish line, I caught the running bug! I haven’t stopped running since. The Rock-n-Roll is a great race for first-timers and one of the best to add on your list of staple marathons. I’ve run the Rock-n-Roll four times now and I plan on running them all including international. Go ‘head and add it to your Bucket List!