AZ48 Race Weekend Returns to Chandler, Arizona |
Half marathon, 10K and 5K runners head downtown on October 25 |
An early Sunday start will bring runners and supporters into downtown Chandler later this month.
AZ48 returns October 25 with a half marathon, a 10K and a 5K, all starting and finishing at the Downtown Chandler Stage Plaza.
The race base is 178 E. Commonwealth Avenue, giving the event a central downtown gathering point.
Whether you plan to race, cheer or simply navigate the area that morning, this is a date worth marking now.
Three distances, two starting times
The half marathon and 10K are scheduled to start at 6:30 a.m., followed by the 5K at 6:45 a.m.
Starts are organized in waves by pace, so participants should review their instructions rather than arrive at the last moment.
The courses are flat and USATF-certified, a feature that makes the event appealing to runners interested in a measured performance.
Certification does not guarantee a personal best, but it does give the race distances an official measurement standard.
For someone deciding among the distances, the useful question is which event matches the preparation they have already done.
Choose the race that fits your current plans, rather than assuming the longest distance is the best choice.
Check entry availability and current pricing before organizing your weekend around a particular race.
Registered participants should also review their confirmation messages for any updates between now and October 25.
Saturday packet pickup deserves its own calendar entry
Packet pickup is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The official race schedule places pickup in the ballroom at Hilton Garden Inn Chandler, 150 S. Arizona Avenue.
That is a different address from the race start, so save both locations when arranging your weekend.
Organizers say race-day pickup requires a reservation, with a limited number of Sunday reservations available.
Anyone unable to attend Saturday should follow the official reservation process rather than assume a packet will be waiting at the start.
The published half marathon schedule also includes a 10:15 a.m. course closure and a 17-minute-per-mile pace requirement.
Review that condition before registering if the half marathon is your intended distance.
The finish is part of the fun
Finishers in each of the three distances receive a medal, with overall and age-group awards also part of the event.
The 2026 medal imagery celebrates Arizona with the state's outline and a colorful desert scene.
For many participants, the appeal is having a date on the calendar and a finish to share with friends.
Supporters can make that moment easier by agreeing ahead of time on where to meet after the race.
Choose a meeting point that leaves the finish chute and working areas clear for runners and event staff.
A little planning before sunrise can save confusion later, especially when several people are arriving separately.
Downtown has free parking options, but participants should check the race's parking and traffic guidance before selecting a route.
Race activity may change how you move through the area, so leave extra time for getting from your parking space to the start.
Drivers with other downtown plans should ask the organizer for current access guidance rather than rely on closures published for a previous race.
For spectators, check where you can stand and how you can reach the finish without interfering with the course.
If you want to participate without racing, the event also provides a link to volunteer opportunities.
Use the official organizer's information for assignments, times and any requirements before committing.
Keep an eye on the final race instructions as the weekend approaches, since those are the most useful place for operational updates.
The AZ48 weekend offers several ways to be part of downtown's fall calendar, from a registered race entry to support along the route.
Confirm your distance, sort out packet pickup and make the early-morning logistics part of the plan.
Then give yourself room to enjoy a Chandler race day from start to finish. |
 AZ48 2026 medal promotional image. Courtesy of AZ48/Downtown Chandler Community Partnership. |
An AZ48 starting line pictured in Chandler tourism promotional material. Photo courtesy of Visit Chandler; prior-event imagery.
More information Official race schedule and packet pickup |
15 Comments
Join the conversation
The Arizona desert medal sounds pretty cool, honestly.
I wish race-day packet pickup didn't need a reservation.
Linda P.Same. Saturday pickup is tricky if you’re working, and those Sunday spots sound limited.
I'll be cheering at the finish. My sister's doing the 5K!
That 17-minute pace limit might make the half tough for me.
Priya S.I’d check your recent long walks or runs against that pace before signing up. The 10K could be a good option too.
Anyone know how easy parking is near the Stage Plaza that early?
I ran the 10K before and loved finishing downtown.
Rosa M.Finishing right downtown makes it easy to meet up afterward. That was my favorite part last time.
Glad I saw the Saturday packet pickup location. I would've gone to the plaza!
kim_87I almost missed that too. Glad the hotel is close, but I’m saving both addresses.
6:30 is early...but at least it should be cooler.
Dave ThompsonYep, I’ll take a 6:30 start over running in the late morning sun.
A flat 5K downtown? I might actually sign up!
Maria G.Same here! A flat course sounds like a good one to try for my first 5K.