Last Updated on June 10, 2023

The 2023 Palm Desert 1/2 Marathon & 5K is set for next week, February 12th. Both events will start and finish at Civic Center Park located at 43900 San Pablo Ave in Palm Desert, California.

Participants have the opportunity to run or walk either the 13.1-mile half marathon or the 5k race, both of which showcase the stunning scenery of the low desert and Coachella Valley.

Palm Desert Marathon Race Course
Palm Desert Marathon Race Course

General Info

The race will take place on February 12th with the ½ Marathon starting at 7:00AM and the 5k starting at 7:30AM. The Kids’ 1k will start at 10:00AM. All three events will start and finish at Civic Center Park located at 43900 San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260.

All ½ Marathon and 5k participants will receive a bib with a timing chip, a snazzy race shirt, a finisher’s medal, and post-race grub. The 1K Kids Race participants will receive a bib, finisher medal, and post-race grub.

Registrations for the event are still open online or on race day at Civic Center Park.

HALF MARATHON COURSE

The half marathon course is a 13.1-mile challenge that starts in Civic Center Park. Runners will turn north on San Pablo Ave, west into College of the Desert, and run down the outbound access road. After reaching the end, runners will turn around and head down the inbound access road.

Next, runners will turn north onto the northbound lanes of San Pablo, west on Magnesia Falls Drive, then north on Monterey Ave. The route continues on Monterey, then turns east on Gerald Ford, and north on Gateway. The course takes a turn south-west on Dinah Shore, then continues onto Portola Road, west on Magnesia Falls, and makes a U-turn at Monterey to follow Magnesia Falls east.

Runners will turn-around just after the bridge, then turn southwest into the Aquatic Center parking lot and onto the sidewalk. The finish line is located in the park, reached by following the sidewalk south.

Please note that while the course map is a close approximation of the final route, it is subject to change and may be adjusted slightly to ensure a USATF certified half marathon course.

5K COURSE

The 5K course also starts in Civic Center Park and is a shorter, more manageable distance for those looking for a less intense challenge. After leaving the parking lot, runners will turn north on San Pablo Ave and west on Magnesia Falls Drive.

At Monterey Ave, runners will turn around and head east on Magnesia Falls, then turn south on San Pablo. The route continues by turning east on Magnesia Falls, south into the Aquatic Center parking lot, and immediately west onto the sidewalk.

The finish line is located in the park, reached by following the sidewalk south to the amphitheater.


Read also: List of Desert Marathons


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