Press Releases
November 18, 2025
 
CHANDLER, Ariz., November 18, 2025 – The Marathon Project announced today that HOKA will serve as the event’s presenting sponsor in 2025. HOKA®, a division of Deckers Brands, is a global leader in the performance footwear and apparel industry with a long, successful history supporting high-level endurance events.

HOKA’s comprehensive partnership with The Marathon Project includes support of all runners with participant perks including amateur support where unsponsored elite athletes will be able to apply to receive financial subsidies, unreleased “super shoes”, gear, and additional perks to help meet their aspirations on race day.

The Marathon Project CEO, Ben Rosario, said that the HOKA sponsorship is icing on the cake after what has already been a successful relaunch of the event that began in 2020 as a chance for professional athletes to compete during the pandemic.

“When we decided to bring back The Marathon Project this year, the goal was to make it bigger and better with a high-level amateur race on Saturday and another super-fast professional race on Sunday,” Rosario said. “The fields for both races are awesome, everyone is going to have the opportunity to run as fast as possible, and with HOKA’s help we are going to be able to treat everyone like they’ve never been treated at a race before.”

The Marathon Project will take place on Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21 in Chandler, Ariz. on the grounds of the Wild Horse Pass Resort. Saturday’s Gold Wave Marathon will feature amateur runners from around the world with the top seeds expected to run near the 2 hour, 20 minute mark. The Gold Wave will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will be followed by a community 5k at Noon for runners of all ages and abilities. Sunday’s Professional Race will feature men and women vying for a $40,000 prize purse including $10,000 to the men’s and women’s champions. Top entrants include Americans Kellyn Taylor and Paige Wood on the women’s side while Canadian national champion Thomas Broatch and Germany’s Johannes Motschmann lead the men’s field.

Entries remain available in the men’s and women’s Gold Wave race as well as in the women’s professional marathon. The Marathon Project has extended the entry deadline until December 1 for any interested athletes. Registration for the 5k will remain open until race day. Sign up today at www.themarathonproject.com.


About The Marathon Project
The Marathon Project aims to create a premier race weekend experience for professionals and amateurs alike, providing each participant the opportunity to run as fast as possible. For more information, please visit www.themarathonproject.com.
 
About HOKA®  
HOKA® is one of the fastest-growing performance footwear and apparel brands in history. Conceived in the mountains, HOKA footwear delivers an unprecedented combination of enhanced cushioning and support for a uniquely smooth ride. Every day, HOKA pushes the innovation and design of its footwear and apparel by teaming up with a deep roster of world champions, taste makers and everyday athletes. From finish lines to everyday life, HOKA fans love the brand for its bold and unexpected approach, and its belief in the power of humanity to create change for a better world. HOKA empowers a world of athletes to fly over the earth. For more information, visit HOKA.com or follow @HOKA. #FlyHumanFly  

About Deckers Brands  
Deckers Brands is a global leader in designing, marketing and distributing innovative footwear, apparel and accessories developed for both everyday casual lifestyle use and high performance activities. The Company's portfolio of brands includes UGG®, HOKA®, and Teva®,  Deckers Brands products are sold in more than 50 countries and territories through select department and specialty stores, Company-owned and operated retail stores, and select online stores, including Company-owned websites. Deckers Brands has over 50-years of history building niche footwear brands into lifestyle market leaders attracting millions of loyal consumers globally. For more information, please visit www.deckers.com.  

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