The Marathon Project

The Marathon Project takes place in Chandler, Arizona, on December 12, 2026, with two races in quick succession: the marathon (26.2 miles) at 7:00 AM, followed by a 5K (3.1 miles) at 7:15 AM. No elevation gain is listed for either distance.

The name says what the event is about. This is a stripped-down, performance-focused day built around the marathon, with an early start and few side events to distract from it. That makes it the kind of race where runners come with a specific time in mind and lean on pace groups and strict, even splits from the first mile to the last. Preparing for it properly means 12 to 16 weeks of marathon-specific work, with long runs that include sustained blocks at goal pace rather than easy running alone. The 5K, meanwhile, gives friends and family something to run the same morning.