YCMA is Holding their 43rd Annual Whiskey Row Marathon

Get ready to run! Last year, many were “tough enough” to do the virtual marathon. Now, it’s time to put your feet to the pavement instead of hands to the keyboard and prove it. On October 9, 2021, the James Family Prescott YMCA presents the 43rd annual Whiskey Row Marathon – the oldest continuously run marathon in Arizona and one of the toughest in the U.S. The 43rd annual Whiskey Row Marathon is proudly sponsored by Dignity Health Medical Regional Medical Center.

In the late 1800s, booze poured freely down Prescott’s Montezuma Street, which came to be known as Whiskey Row. Now in 2018, Montezuma Street hosts a slightly healthier activity, the Whiskey Row Marathon and its associated Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and a .3 Mile Dash.

By the end of the longer races, runners will yearn for the “good ol’ days” when you could drown your pain with a glass of stiff whiskey in the neighboring saloons. Instead of whiskey, runners of the Half Marathon and Marathon will be treated to a post-race massage, delicious refreshments, and finish line Expo, which will be happening on the Mile High Middle School Football Field. The free food and massage will be welcomed after running up and down 3,000 feet or so in the thin mountain air.

The first and last five miles are run along open, paved roads, while the remainder of the race cuts through the Ponderosa pine-covered Prescott National Forest on dirt roads.

This event spans two generations of Prescottonians, and it’s a great way to introduce newcomers to the area to see the beauty of Prescott firsthand and not whizzing along in a car at 40 miles an hour.

To make this a full weekend of fun and fitness, this year’s marathon also includes a variety of events:

Friday, October 8th

3:00 pm-8:00 pm: Packet pick-up and Sports Expo at the YMCA

Get last-minute tips from people who know the course best, meet the event sponsors, and pick-up your swag bag and commemorative shirt.

Saturday, October 9th

5:00 am-7:30 am: Saturday morning packet pick-up at Matt’s Saloon

5:00 am: Full Marathon Early Start

6:00 am: Full Marathon Start

7:00 am: Half Marathon Start

7:10 am: .5 Mile Dash Start

7:30 am: 10K Start

8:00 am: 5K Start

Finish Line Expo (at Mile High Middle School Field)

This community event would not be possible if it were not for the generous sponsors. Recognition and special thanks go to Signature Sponsor: Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center. Community Sponsors: City of Prescott, Guild Mortgage. Family Sponsors: Rox Media Group, Prescott Periodontics & Implant Dentistry. Youth Sponsors: Maggin 99.1, Damon Olsen & Family, Stacey Haggart Realtor Better Homes & Garden/Bloomtree Realty, Better Homes and Garden/Bloomtree Realty, Laura Winniford, Papa John’s Pizza, ASIS Massage, Natural Healing Garden, Sparklight Advertising, Life Line Ambulance, Pepsi, and more.

For more information about running the race or volunteering to help at the water stations, registration, finish line, and course set-up and clean up, visit whiskeyrowmarathon.com or call Jaime DeJoseph, Race Director at 928-445-7221 or jaime.dejoseph@prescottymca.org.

posted Wednesday September 15th