High Mountain Half Marathon Decade Anniversary 2026

🏔️ High Mountain Half Marathon Overview

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.

📅 Race Day Schedule

• Half Marathon: Saturday, August 1 at 6:00 AM Start Time
• 10K: Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 6:30 AM Start time
• 5K: Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM Start time - Out and back course that starts and ends at the Blue Ridge High School Track
• 5K Glow Run/Walk: Friday, July 31, 2026 at 8:30 PM Start time

⏳ Time Limits & Checkpoints

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 the 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 2: 6:36 AM
• Aid Station 4: 7:13 AM
• Aid Station 6: 7:49 AM
• Aid Station 8: 8:26 AM
• Aid Station 10: 9:06 AM
• Aid Station 12: 9:39 AM

🎉 Kids Run

Kids Run: Friday, July 31, 2026, at 8:00 PM - 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.

🌌 Glow Run Details

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 flashlights 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 powder 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.

📍 Event Location

1200 W White Mountain Blvd, Lakeside, AZ.

🔗 More Information

For additional details, please visit the official race page: High Mountain Half Marathon.