High Mountain Half Marathon Decade Anniversary 2026
- Date
- July 31, 2026
- Distance
- Half Marathon · 10K · 5k & more
From the Organizer
The High Mountain Half marathon is the perfect fall race to escape the high temps of the lower elevations and plan a cool, relaxing destination race vacation. It is also a great training race for a fall marathon. The half marathon course is a point to point race where runners will be bused from Blue Ridge High School starting at 4:40 am for a cool, crisp 6:00 am start time. Runners will be surrounded by beautiful cedar and pine trees as they travel down Porter Mountain and into the town of Pinetop/Lakeside finishing up at the Blue Ridge High School track. On Saturday morning there is also a 10K and 5K run. Friday evening highlights are a Glow/Color Run/Walk and Free Kids run.
Half Marathon Saturday, August 1 6:00 AM Start Time
TIME LIMIT
A 4 hour time limit (at 10 a.m.) has been set for the Half Marathon and power walking participants to reach the finish line. In case a participant has not reached the finish line by that time (see Time Checkpoints section below), he/she can be transported to the finish by a race personnel vehicle (or “sag wagon”). In case he/she decides to go on at his/her own responsibility, he/she needs to move to the side of roadway. This measure is taken in order to ensure the safety of all participants. When the time limit (see below) expires, police will allow vehicle traffic to resume.
TIME CHECKPOINTS
In order to complete the course before opening to traffic at 10 a.m. you need to reach the following checkpoints on or before times listed below (18:19 pace )
Aid Station Mileage (miles) Checkpoint time for 6 a.m. start
2 6:36 AM
4 7:13 AM
6 7:49 AM
8 8:26 AM
10 9:06 AM
12 9:39 AM
10K Saturday, August 1, 2026 6:30 AM Start time
5K - Saturday, August 1, 2026 7:00 AM Start time Out and back course that starts and ends at the Blue Ridge High School Track
5 K Glow run/walk - Friday, July 31, 2026 8:30 PM Start time Participants will complete 2 large loops around Blue Ridge school where much of the course is not well lit. Please bring glow lights, hand lamps and flash lights if you would like a little extra light. Music is played on various parts of the route. Most of the course will be on either the track or paved paths, yet a small segment will be on a grass field. Runners have the choice to be splashed with paint power or not by choosing one of the two designated course adjustments on the grass field area. Prior to the race, participants can stretch their creativity with paints. A t shirt is included with your race entry fee. This is a Non-Timed event.
Kids Run Friday, July 31, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Blue Ridge High School Track - FREE event
Ages 0 -12 Distance 1K
Registration begins at 4 PM until race time on Friday
A Shirt and Medal will be provided for the first 75 registrants
Distances & Pricing
Race Location
About This Sport
From Endurance Grid's Founder
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More running races in AZ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the High Mountain Half Marathon Decade Anniversary 2026?
- High Mountain Half Marathon Decade Anniversary 2026 is a running event held in Lakeside, AZ. Learn more about the different endurance sports here.
- When and where is the High Mountain Half Marathon Decade Anniversary 2026?
- Friday, July 31, 2026 in Lakeside, AZ at 1200 W White Mountain Blvd, Lakeside, AZ. Check the official event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the High Mountain Half Marathon Decade Anniversary 2026?
- Registration is handled through their official registration page. Confirm pricing, distances available, and sign up there.
High Mountain Half Marathon Decade Anniversary 2026
Jul 31, 2026