The Marathon Project will offer $40,000 in prize money across its Professional Men’s and Women’s races on December 21 in Chandler, Arizona. According to the organizers, the purse represents a 100% increase from the event’s 2020 debut.
How Much Prize Money For The Marathon Project 2025
The Marathon Project 2025 winners in each race will collect $10,000, the organizers shared in a release earlier this year. Second-place finishers will earn $5,000, while third-place finishers will pocket $2,500. Fourth and fifth place receive $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. The total purse makes this Arizona’s largest road race prize offering.
Ben Rosario, CEO of The Marathon Project, said the ownership group wanted to increase the prize money from the original event. The organization plans to continue raising purses in future years.
“Prize purses are going up in individual sports all over the world, but things have been fairly stagnant in professional running,” Rosario said. “Our goal is to start at $40,000 in 2025 and put on an amazing race that increases interest, participation, and sponsor dollars in year two, year three, etc. so that we can continue raising the purse in 2026 and beyond.”
Read More: Paul Chelimo Headlines 2025 The Marathon Project Men’s Field
The December race will use the same flat, fast criterium-style course from 2020. Chandler typically sees temperatures around 68 degrees for the high and 45 degrees for the low in late December.
All professional athletes receive pace groups created as needed, including specific groups targeting the Olympic Trials qualifying standards of 2:16:00 for men and 2:37:00 for women. Blank’s Sports Nutrition will sponsor personal bottles for competitors.
Additional benefits include an indoor warmup area, last-minute bag drop-off service, and a Marathon Project swag bag. The top 15 seeded athletes, determined by organizer’s discretion, receive complimentary travel and three nights at the Sheraton Grand.
Notably, athletes finishing in the top 15 who did not receive the travel package will get a $1,000 travel and lodging stipend after the race. This payment comes in addition to any prize money earned.
The prize structure is equal for both men’s and women’s races.
The Marathon Project Prize Money in 2025
2025 Professional Race Prize Purse*: More Information
1st – $10,000
2nd – $5,000
3rd – $2,500
4th – $1,500
5th – $1,000
*equal for men and women
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