Published March 1, 2026
Summit Ridge Dental Sponsors the Scottsdale Half Marathon
By the Summit Ridge Dental Team
We're excited to announce that Summit Ridge Dental is an official sponsor of the 2026 Scottsdale Half Marathon. This is our second year supporting one of the Valley's most popular running events, and we're going bigger this time — with a hydration station on the course, a team of staff and family running in the race, and a post-race giveaway for participants.
Why a Dental Practice Sponsors a Running Event
It's a fair question. We're dentists, not a sneaker company. But our team believes that great oral health is part of overall wellness — and the Scottsdale Half Marathon brings together people who care about their health. That's our kind of community.
Dr. Chen is a runner herself. She completed the Scottsdale Half in 2024 and talked about it for weeks afterward. When the opportunity came up to sponsor the event, our whole team was on board. Seeing thousands of people set goals, train for months, and push through those last few miles is genuinely inspiring — and we wanted to be part of that energy.
Find Us at Mile 8
Look for the Summit Ridge Dental hydration station at the mile 8 marker on the course. Our team will be handing out water, electrolytes, and encouragement. We'll also have custom Summit Ridge Dental headbands and sweatbands — because everyone needs a good headband when the Arizona sun kicks in around mid-morning.
If you're running the race, swing through our station for a high-five and a cold drink. If you're spectating, come hang out with us — we'll have plenty of shade and good company.
Team Summit Ridge
This year, 12 members of the Summit Ridge Dental family are running the half marathon — a mix of our dental assistants, hygienists, office team, and two of our three doctors. Dr. Chen is going for a personal best. Dr. Patel is doing his first half marathon and has been documenting his training journey in our break room (the before-and-after progress photos on the bulletin board have become a whole thing).
We've been training together on weekend mornings since January, meeting at Papago Park for group runs. There's something about shared suffering that brings a team closer — especially when the dentist who calmly performs root canals is the same person gasping at mile 10.
Post-Race Giveaway
Every finisher who visits our hydration station or our post-race tent will receive a Summit Ridge Dental swag bag with a bamboo toothbrush, travel-size toothpaste, and a coupon for a free teeth cleaning at any of our three locations — Scottsdale, Tempe, or Gilbert. No strings attached. Just a thank-you for being part of the event.
We're also running a social media contest on race day. Post a photo at our station with the hashtag #SummitRidgeSmiles, and you'll be entered to win a $500 credit toward any cosmetic dental treatment. We'll pick three winners the following week.
Oral Health and Endurance Athletes
Here's a connection between running and dentistry that most people don't think about: endurance athletes are actually at higher risk for dental problems. Breathing through your mouth during long runs dries out your saliva, which is your body's natural defense against cavities. Sports drinks and energy gels are high in sugar and acid. And clenching your jaw during intense effort — which most runners do without realizing it — can crack teeth and wear down enamel.
If you're training for a half marathon, a marathon, or any endurance event, a pre-race dental checkup is smart. Let us make sure there are no hidden issues that could flare up during training. We see it more often than you'd expect — a runner who's been ignoring a small crack ends up with a dental emergency mid-training cycle.
Part of Something Bigger
The Scottsdale Half Marathon sponsorship is one of several ways Summit Ridge Dental stays involved in our community. We also participate in Give Kids A Smile Day, providing free dental care to children without insurance. We're active members of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. And we run supply drives at all three offices throughout the year, partnering with Valley food banks and shelters.
Being a community dental practice means more than being located in the community — it means being part of it. Events like the Scottsdale Half Marathon remind us why we love practicing here.
Race Day Details
The 2026 Scottsdale Half Marathon takes place on Saturday, March 15. The course starts and finishes at WestWorld of Scottsdale, running through the McDowell Sonoran Preserve with views of the McDowell Mountains. Registration is still open at the event's official website.
Whether you're running, spectating, or volunteering, we'd love to see you out there. Stop by the Summit Ridge Dental station at mile 8 and say hello. And if you've been putting off that dental checkup — let this be your sign to book it before race day.