Chilly Willy 5K/10K/Half Marathon - Phoenix

The Chilly Willy 5K/10K/Half Marathon greets the new year with a crisp, winter-themed race at Thunderbird Paseo Park in Phoenix. With start times at 8:30 or 9:00 am, runners take on a flat, road loop under the desert sun — though January mornings here are reliably cool, averaging 41–64°F with negligible rain and a steady 10 mph wind.

The course is a straightforward road loop with no elevation change, making it a welcoming stage for first-timers and a potential PR opportunity for seasoned half-marathoners. The event also offers 5K and 10K distances, so runners of all ages and paces share the morning. Every finisher earns a medal, and age-group awards go five deep starting at 10 & under, giving plenty of runners a shot at recognition.

Though the field is intimate — about 90 finishers recently — it draws from roughly 12 states, and the trend is growing. The atmosphere is energetic but low-key, with themed swag and a finish-line celebration that makes the chill worthwhile. It's a race that feels like a community gathering, where the air is cold but the excitement is warm.