State 47 Las Cruces Marathon
Las Cruces, United States · January · Independent
Why people love it
- Very flat: 53 m (174 ft) of gain over 42.2 km (26.2 mi), on a USATF-certified Boston qualifier.
- Start and finish at a stadium with indoor toilets and ample parking.
- Organ Mountain views and Rio Grande pecan orchards.
- Out-and-back with a New Mexico-shaped medal and a BQ charm.
Watch out for
- Altitude of 1,190 m (3,900 ft) and dry air; drink more than usual.
- Few spectators, and the return leg can meet a headwind.
- The start can be 1 °C (34 °F); the early wave at 7:00 needs advance sign-up.
- It has sold out for four years; finish food and swag were thin in reviews.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Moderate
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.7
RaceRaves 3.7 from 23 ratings, FindMyMarathon 5.0 from 2. Reviewers like the flat course, mountain views and friendly people; one called it adequate. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.6
RaceRaves production 3.7. Smooth stadium logistics, but 2025 leaders were sent off course and cups ran out in 2023. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.7
Very flat, with a 7-hour limit, easy parking and indoor toilets. Altitude, dry air, few spectators and a grinding return count against it. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.8
Flat, with 53 m (174 ft) of gain and 4.8 to 11.5 percent Boston qualifiers. Return headwinds, altitude and a partly unpaved path cost time. · Medium confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryPleasant3.2
RaceRaves scenery 3.2. Organ Mountain views, a dry Rio Grande and pecan orchards, with long open stretches. · Medium confidence
- Room to runRoomy3.6
About 168 marathon and 243 half finishers in 2025, so uncrowded. Two stadium laps at the finish confused some runners. · Medium confidence
- Road surfaceMixed3.0
Paved path and trail. One 2026 reviewer calls it mostly trail and another noted rough footing. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.5
Mostly a river trail with some bike traffic. A 2024 reviewer reported speeding cars and a pecan truck at a crossing. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessPancake flat4.8
53 m (174 ft) of gain and loss per FindMyMarathon, and every reviewer calls it flat. · High confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
Out-and-back with equal gain and loss. USATF certified and Boston-eligible. · High confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSmooth4.2
Stadium start with indoor toilets, ample parking and a warm waiting area. The 7:00 early wave needs pre-registration. · Medium confidence
- Pacers and timingSome pace groups3.0
No pace group information found. A 2024 reviewer found no finish staff to direct runners to results. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportSparse1.9
Almost every reviewer mentions few spectators and a quiet course, though volunteers and police are friendly. · High confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.5
Aid about every 3.2 km (2 mi). Cups ran out in 2023, 2025 reviewers called aid reliable, and finish food was thin in several years. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindSome wind3.0
Three reviewers mention a headwind on the return or along the river. · Medium confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant3.5
Starts of 1 to 2 °C (34 to 36 °F) warming to about 13 °C (55 °F). January highs reach 21 °C (69 °F). · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityReliable3.8
Reviewers repeatedly report cool, dry, sunny conditions, though 2025 was cold with a high of -1 °C (31 °F). · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints2.8
An out-and-back on a river path with few access points, though the stadium finish is easy for friends. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeModerate2.8
About 1,190 m (3,900 ft); reviewers say the altitude is noticeable and suggest arriving early. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.6
A host hotel with a discount code and packet pickup, plus a Holiday Inn Express. El Paso is 45 minutes away. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.8
Discounted race-rate rooms at typical New Mexico prices. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.0
The host hotel is a short drive from the stadium and most runners drive. The stadium has ample parking. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.2
Fly into El Paso, about 45 minutes' drive, or the small Las Cruces airport. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.0
Packet pickup Friday at the host hotel and race morning, with easy parking and no official gear check. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood3.6
Good Mexican food, with White Sands, Mesilla and Riverbend Hot Springs nearby. · Medium confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inRegister early3.0
The organiser says it has sold out for four years. Register early. · Medium confidence
- Value for moneyFair3.2
The fee is $128 now, rising after November 21. A roadrunner medal and BQ charm, but a weak shirt and thin finish food. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Las Cruces, Dona Ana County, United States
- Typical month
- January
- Latest or next date
- 9 January 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 160 athletes
- First held
- 2023
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- out-and-back
- Climbing
- 53 m (175 ft)
- Descent
- 53 m (175 ft)
- Start time
- 08:00
- Cutoff
- 7 hours
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Paved multi-use path and trail along the Rio Grande
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Yes
- Entry fee
- About $128
- Air temperature
- 0–13 °C (32–55 °F)
- Humidity
- Dry high desert
- Altitude
- 1,190 m (3,900 ft)
- Nearest airport
- El Paso International (ELP)
- Where to stay
- Near Telshor Blvd host hotel, Mesilla
- Booking
- Host hotel Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces (promo code STATE47) hosts bib pickup on Friday. Holiday Inn Express rate includes race-morning breakfast.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRavesRaced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
23 ratings, 3.7 overall; difficulty 2.4, scenery 3.2, production 3.7, swag 3.1. Reviewers agree it is flat, small and friendly with easy stadium logistics and good Boston-qualifier credentials, with few spectators, a two-lap track finish and mountain views as a bonus.
- Marathon Maniacs member reviewsRaced 2025 · aggregator · Mixed
7 reviews, 2023 to 2025. Very flat Rio Grande trail; quiet with little crowd support; 2023 reviewers found aid gaps and a headwind, 2025 reviewers found aid reliable and course changes helped.
“Extremely flat”
- FindMyMarathonRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Two 5.0 reviews: a very flat and fast out-and-back where one runner set a BQ and a PR in perfect weather, and one calling it the best marathon in New Mexico with mild January weather and warm hospitality.
“best marathon in New Mexico”
- Runner's GazetteRaced 2025 · article · neutral
168 marathon and 243 half finishers in 2025, many chasing 50 states, with few spectators. Most of the course is on the Llarona trail system with Rio Grande and Organ Mountain views; two leaders were sent off course in the half and marathon.
Raced State 47 Las Cruces Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
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