2022 Wickenburg Wild West Half Marathon

2022 Wickenburg Wild West Half Marathon takes place in Wickenburg, AZ and benefits local youth programs. Try saying Wickenburg Wild West Run without saying wun. 🙂

I met my mom and Scott in Phoenix on Wednesday. Scott’s parents live just outside of Phoenix so I was able to stay with them. Coming in on Wednesday enabled me to get used to the heat for a few days. I know they say it’s a dry heat in the desert, but 90 degrees is 90 degrees! Similar to the Vegas run, I knew my mouth would dry out. So I spent the days leading up to the race pounding water.

2022 Wickenburg Wild West Half Marathon

Wickenburg is only about 55 minutes from where we were staying, but the race started at 6:30, so we hit the road by 5. It was an easy ride and friendly parking lot attendants directed us to the lot. There were only about 100 half marathoners and the 10k, 5k and kids run started later so there was no problem getting a parking spot, grabbing our packets, taking a quick selfie and getting to the start line by 6:30.

Course

The course was an out and back, headed uphill for the first half and then back down. From the elevation map it was hard to tell just how hilly it was, but by my garmin elevation chart told the real story. I felt like we were never going to stop climbing until we did. Then it felt like we were sailing downhill. Until the very last 0.25 miles that climbed back up to the finish line.

There were water stops at nearly ever 2 miles and I drank at every single one. The local high school track, wrestling and cheerleaders handed out water and provided some encouragement. I was happy that it started at 6:30, because once that sun came out, it heated up fast!

My performance was ehh. I walked up the final climb, but then started to fall apart around mile 9. The scenery was gorgeous though and under the guise of taking photos, I took walk breaks. All in all, I finished just over 2:30, but with a smile on my face!

My mom got 2nd in her age category and Scott got 3rd in his age category. The race was small, but well organized. The emcees were awesome as well! There was no gunshot start, instead they said, “3, 2, 1, go!” At the finish line they were calling out runners by name as soon as they came around the corner and up the tiny hill to the finish line. They had photographers and water ready as soon as you crossed the finish line.

The medal is nice too! I don’t have my medal holder hung up yet since moving to Charleston. The shirt and the rest of the swag was decent for this small of a race.

Full or Half Marathon in Every State

Arizona makes state number 14. Only 36 to go. My next one is less than a month away in the cheese state- Wisconsin! The Gopher to Badger started in Minnesota and finished in Wisconsin, but I’m counting it as my Minnesota race. I’m not part of the official 50 States Half Marathon Club, but have a few of my own “rules”.

• Alabama – 2021 Cancelled Rocket City Marathon
• Arizona – Wickenburg Wild West 1/2
• California – Napa 1/2
• Florida – Amelia Island 1/2
• Georgia – Ironman 70.3 Augusta Relay
• Illinois – Chicago 1/2
• Indiana – Indy Full & Carmel 1/2
• Kentucky – Honor Run 1/2
• Michigan – Ragnar (my cumulative miles were over 13, so I’m counting it!)
• Minnesota – Gopher to Badger 1/2
• Missouri – Creve Coeur St. Paddy’s 1/2
• Nevada – Las Vegas 1/2
• North Dakota – Fargo 1/2
• North Carolina – Asheville 1/2
• Ohio – Flying Pig Full & 1/2 (virtual), Queen Bee 1/2 2018 & 2019
• Pennsylvania – Run for the Elk 1/2
• Rhode Island – 2023 Red Island 1/2
• South Carolina – 2023 Charleston 1/2 (2022 Cancelled Charleston 1/2)
• Tennessee – Nashville Full
• West Virginia – Marshall University Full
• Wisconsin – Eau Claire 1/2
• Wyoming – Jackson Hole 1/2

I do keep an active profile on Race Raves. In addition to asking friends/family about race recommendations, I use the site to research races. I take all reviews with a grain of salt. Weather and individual preferences play a big part of a race review. I also use Running in the USA. It easily filters for pairs of half marathons in different states up to 250 miles between cities on consecutive days. I’ve never done back-to-back races, but would consider it to knock out two states in one weekend. Especially if I have to fly to the race.