Half Marathon races near Sun City

PB&J Fuel Run is a small private group run centered on the peanut-butter-and-jelly theme, offering 5K, 10K, and half-marathon distances. Runners and walkers of all paces are welcome, and younger participants may enter with a guardian. Each wave has a participant limit, so entries close once a wave is full; runners who miss out can join the waitlist or select the virtual option. The format is straightforward: no special equipment is needed, and timing is optional. Participants may record their own time using a watch or phone, or consider it an untimed run with coordinator assistance. The event is designed as a relaxed group outing rather than a competitive race, with local run club invitations extended as part of the sign-up support.

The Thanksgiving Gobble Trot Run in Phoenix begins at G.R. Herberger Park, offering participants a holiday-morning selection of a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or a 1-mile Family Fun Run. This yearly Thanksgiving-themed event, organized by The Best Races, carries the tagline “Wobble Before You Gobble,” encouraging participants to run or walk before their holiday meal, with family and friends invited. The event is smaller than a large city road race, featuring capped waves that close upon reaching capacity. All running paces are welcome, walkers are permitted, and participants under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. The course map is distributed via email instead of being widely promoted beforehand. A virtual option is available for the 5K, 10K, and half marathon. Participants who prefer not to receive a shirt can opt for an Eco-Registration for the primary race distances.

Santa Hustle Glendale is a holiday-themed running event at Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale, Arizona, offering half marathon, 10K, and 5K distances. This event brings the Santa Hustle format to the desert, with the race centered on costumes, seasonal music, and Christmas decorations instead of a basic road-race atmosphere. Runners receive Santa-themed apparel including a hat, beard, long-sleeve shirt, and beanie, along with a finisher medal. The course includes candy canes and cookies, making it particularly suitable for families, casual runners, and anyone seeking a December race that resembles a group holiday gathering more than a competitive time trial.

Mesquite Canyon is a spring desert trail race held in White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Waddell, Arizona. Distances range from a Kid's Fun Run and 8K to 30K, a half marathon, 50K, and 50 miles. All races utilize single-track trails. The longer courses are entirely unpaved, featuring rocky, sandy terrain with classic Sonoran Desert footing: cactus, gravel, boulders, washes, and significant climbs. The event began in 2010 and limits participation to 600 runners. The 50K and 50-mile participants encounter the most challenging section of the course. This includes a two-mile stretch through Ford Canyon with downhill granite rock scrambles, sand, and boulders beneath the White Tank formations. The route begins at approximately 1,500 feet and ascends to about 3,000 feet, offering expansive views toward Phoenix across the White Tank Mountains. Mesquite Canyon also marks the seventh and final event in Aravaipa Running's Desert Runner Trail Series, attracting runners completing that Arizona series and ultrarunners seeking a demanding desert course.