Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA Half Marathon & 5K Walk/Run

Phoenix, AZ
Saturday, October 23, 2010

Event Details

The stark beauty of 16,000-acre South Mountain Park just outside the city is the site for the Phoenix YMCA Half Marathon and Family 5K, a race that takes runners from the starting line inside the park on a course that follows the Arizona Canal through the city for the next six and a half miles, where participants reach the turn and make their way back toward the park.

The race, which celebrates its 42nd annual running in 2010, has something of a unique starting tradition — the “guest of honor” is Wyatt Earp, who gets runners going at the 7:00 AM start with a shotgun start, in the tradition of the old wild West. Participants have three and a half hours to complete the 13.1 miles of the half marathon, which finishes back at the starting line in the park. The course experiences little change in elevation throughout the race, making it well-suited for those looking to run their first half-marathon.

There’s also plenty of scenery along the course, as the mountains of South Mountain Park form the backdrop over your shoulder throughout the entire race. The nation’s largest municipal park, South Mountain is home to more than 51 miles of trails, which draw outdoor enthusiasts by the thousands each year for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.

Both the half marathon and the 5K — which is open to both runners and walkers — are fundraiser events for the downtown Phoenix YMCA, and raise money for the organization’s inner city youth programs and Teen Center at the Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA.

Race Weather & Climate

Fall weather in the Phoenix area can still be quite warm, as October temperatures average between 86°F and 63°F. Rainfall is close to nonexistent (in October and through the rest of the year), as the city averages just under an inch of precipitation for the month.

Fees

$42 for the half marathon, if registered by August 1, 2010
$55 between Aug. 2 – September 23
$60 between Sept. 24 – October 22
$65 on the day of the race

Registration

To reserve your spot in the fall 2010 running of Phoenix’s Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA Half Marathon & 5K, register online at Active.com or print out and mail in this downloadable entry form.

Website

www.raceplaceevents.com

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