Marathon races near Paradise Valley

The Desert Solstice Track Invitational is a December ultrarunning event held on the Central High School track in Phoenix, Arizona. It is designed for runners focused on setting records, not on a large open field. The primary events are 24 hours and 100 miles. Entry is by invitation or qualification only, with a maximum of 25 runners for the combined 24-hour/100-mile races. The event also serves as a qualifier for the national 24 Hour team, contributing to a small and focused participant list. The course consists of a quarter-mile paved track, nearly flat, where runners complete laps for extended periods, visible to their crews each circuit. Recorded results show 24-hour totals exceeding 160 miles, 100-mile finishes around 13 hours, and split times at 50K, 50 miles, 100K, and 12 hours. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Central High School running clubs, linking the invitational directly to the school's facility where the record attempts take place.