Palm Desert Half Marathon & 5K
Palm Desert, CA
- Half Marathon, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Palm Desert 1/2 Marathon & 5K returns to the heart of the desert this February! Race the Coachella Valley’s original half marathon, or run/walk our flat, fast 5K course. Kids four to 13 can run the 1K kids run. 1/2 marathon & 5K participants receive an official race t-shirt, … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Feb 15):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 71 | 77 | 72 | 63 | 72 |
| L (°F) | 52 | 50 | 45 | 42 | 50 |
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First time and fun event!
This was my first time running this event. The production was pretty good and the course was pretty flat with some rolling parts. Aid stations were aplenty and definitely helped … MORE
This was my first time running this event. The production was pretty good and the course was pretty flat with some rolling parts. Aid stations were aplenty and definitely helped with endurance. The views around were very nice with mountains all around with Mt San Jacinto nearby to the west. It’s a closed race with the Palm Desert police watching over us, so it felt safe and protected. Medal and shirt were quite nice!
Disappointing Experience
This was my first half marathon, but not my first race. The reviews and pictures that I found prior to registering appeared to be from when it was the New … MORE
This was my first half marathon, but not my first race. The reviews and pictures that I found prior to registering appeared to be from when it was the New Balance Palm Desert Half, and the experience now seems quite different without that sponsor. The volunteers were caring and water along the route was well provided. The route was scenic is areas and then in some took you by the back of the local Walmart, so it was a mixed bag. But, my main issue with this race was the lack of race info on the website and the “swag” given that the price of registration was similar compared to other smaller races I’ve attended. There was no info on if a gear check would be available or what type of electrolytes would be provided during the race. We weren’t given this info until less than a week before race day in an email, which was not enough time to train with what was being provided. They also never published the race shirt included in the registration fee, and the banana yellow shirt with an outline of the mountains and only “2024” on it was a huge letdown. No mention of the race name or distance- it looked like a shirt you could get anywhere. Prior to bib/shirt pickup, they had sent multiple emails about a tech hoodie you could buy ahead of time and it had a great logo on it with the race name- I expected the logo to be the same or similar on the shirt provided. Also, the after race snack provided was a small paper plate with 2 orange slices, 2 Oreos, and 2 red vines. It just felt insufficient given that we had just run a half marathon distance. I’ve never attended a race where the after race snack was so dismal. The medal was nice, but the whole experience was disappointing enough that I probably wouldn’t run this again.
Warm Pavement Half in January
The desert sun in January is definitely something to remember. The start is early, the scenery isn't the greatest, but the course is a fun mix of rolling pavement. Last … MORE
The desert sun in January is definitely something to remember. The start is early, the scenery isn’t the greatest, but the course is a fun mix of rolling pavement. Last mile and a half were serpentine, which could have been better.
A Exciting Course
The aid stations were excellent because the volunteers seemed to care about the runners. The most unique aspect of the race was that there were only a few porto potties. … MORE
The aid stations were excellent because the volunteers seemed to care about the runners. The most unique aspect of the race was that there were only a few porto potties. The race could be improved with more snacks on course.
Mellow fun run in the "desert"
I was staying at the very nice Hotel Westin Desert Villas (reviewed elsewhere) and noticed a half marathon scheduled on my last day there. I drove there, parked and lined … MORE
I was staying at the very nice Hotel Westin Desert Villas (reviewed elsewhere) and noticed a half marathon scheduled on my last day there. I drove there, parked and lined up all within 15 minutes as there were only a few hundred people and plenty of parking. The course is very flat with the distant mountains providing the only scenery unless you consider walls and sidewalks as scenery. The best part of the race is that is in Palm Desert which is really clean, new and relatively uncrowded like Palm Springs was 20 years ago. Maybe the reason is seems uncrowded is because most of the streets have endless walls on either side and the streets are really wide. The water at the aid stations was top notch although they ran out of cups (not water) after about 2 hrs. The weather was an ideal 70 something and the first half was in the shade.
Great time of year to run in Palm Desert
If there was ever a "chill" race - this is it. Race day temps were great - clear skies and low 60's. Winter weather is great in Palm Desert. Race … MORE
If there was ever a “chill” race – this is it. Race day temps were great – clear skies and low 60’s. Winter weather is great in Palm Desert. Race location was easy to find, LOTS of parking at the Civic Center Park, plenty of clean bathrooms. Had a hard time finding the bib pick up when I arrived (it was still dark outside) but the tents were easy to see when the sun came up. Race started on time (thank you!) – course was mostly flat and uphill (I felt as if the course is similar to the Surf City Half Marathon – just in the desert instead of along PCH). Challenging hill at mile 7, I was really hoping to break 2 hours, but fell short by 45 seconds. Post race activities were enjoyable – there was a nice vibe to just hang around. Met an 81 year old woman who placed first for her age group (love to see people being active no matter their age, gives me hope to remain active my whole life). Beer garden is always preferred (thank you La Quinta Brewing Co). There was a good turn out. It was an all around enjoyable morning.
New Venue; 2-3 person relay teams
Formerly Palm Springs half marathon & 5 K. Move to Palm Desert in 2016. New course not as interesting as previous but as a rectangle has long, straight lines. Available … MORE
Formerly Palm Springs half marathon & 5 K. Move to Palm Desert in 2016. New course not as interesting as previous but as a rectangle has long, straight lines. Available 2-3 person relay teams makes a nice race for walkers or those who want to split and do shorter distances. Smaller local race so no expo & can sign up that am on site. Long sleeve technical shirt. New this year – beer garden with a free beer and No lines!