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Tucson Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Tucson Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.8 
Organization 3.7 
Spectators 2.3
Number of comments: 233 [displaying comments 211 to 221]
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A Runner from Stowe, Vt.
(12/15/2001)
"Be prepared" (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I just ran the race this year and my legs took a beating. It's not as downhill as they make it seem to be on the map, particularly after the halfway point. But then, around mile 22, the road just drops and you suffer for it. I PR'd on this one, but it was bittersweet. I had such a great run for the first 20 miles, then knee problems just wrecked me at the end. I had to hobble to the finish line. Organization was great, the weather was perfect (except for the ice cold temps at the start line before the sun came up), and the aid stations were perfect (every two miles). I learned a big lesson this time, but I plan to come back and do this race again another time. | |
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A Runner from Irvine, California
(12/12/2001)
"This is a PR marathon" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I ran a 4 minute PR, and probably would've done a couple minutes better with more downhill training. This course is easy, but don't be deceived. You still have to run 26.2 miles. And while most of the course is downhill, there are a few 1/2-3/4 mile stretches with a slight grade. I ran Vegas last Feb with no quad killing problems, but Tucson wrecked my quads. This downhill course will take its toll on your quads, but will spare your lungs. Overall, I recommend this race if you want to try and run fast. Excellent organization, short aid stations, so get your arm out quickly or you'll miss that cup of water. When you finish, you'll be wondering why this course is called 'easy' as you endure the worst quad pain ever. Then you'll look at your watch and be reminded. | |
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A Runner from Concord, Ohio
(12/10/2001)
"Course is fast, but not as easy as It looks!!!!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I thought it best to provide my thoughts, while the pain is still present. This was my 13th marathon and from that perspective, this is a nice local race that is well organized. The expo is smaller, but has the essentials. For out of towners it was very easy to find the expo and hotels were very close. Excellent shuttle bus support prior to and after the race along with volunteers for fluids along the course. Spectators were present at a number of places along route especially for the last 1/4 of the race. The finisher medal and shirt should be upgraded. The weather was great and the course was a dream if you trained heavy for downhill, but if you didn't it will hurt you badly. The last 10 miles was increasingly painful with every step, which was so frustrating as the course is deceptively easy. I will plan to do it again, but as this was my 3rd marathon in 10 weeks, I will be sure to be fresh in order to cruise though the 2nd half like I cruised through the 1st half. | |
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A Runner from Phoenix, Arizona
(10/10/2001)
"not the greatest, but underrated" (General Comments)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I've run Tucson four times and may do it again this year (2001). Personally, I like the race. It has faults, but has improved steadily each year. There is always some glitch that fouls things up, such as two years ago when there was no gear truck at the start, or last year when there was nothing to drink except water until mile seven, and nothing at all to drink at one aid station around the mid-point. The Expo has improved radically since the days when it had a few vendors in an outdoor tent. They've tweaked the course slightly a couple of times. In 1999 they moved the finish further down Oracle Road, resulting in the need to run the last half mile uphill. Last year the one steep hill that came at mile three disappeared, so now the race is almost *all* downhill. However, the downhill is deceptive. It's true that it's a pleasure to the lungs, but if you are not prepared and used to it, it will *destroy* your quads. The grade is never steep, so runners think they can just mosey along forever. However, 20 miles of it without letup takes its toll. I've known a surprising number of people who have dropped out of this race, or walked it in the last few miles. So when you go, be prepared. Also, the weather is unpredictable. I set my PR on this course the first time I ran it, in a cold driving rain with a bit of hail. The next year it snowed in the surrounding mountains the night before, but was clear during the race. The wind blew so hard it was blowing me outside the traffic cones and it was hard to make forward progress. An hour after the race closed a winter storm hit. The following two years the weather was idyllic, utterly beautiful, with highs in the low seventies at the end, and very dry. | |
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A Runner from Durango, Colorado
(6/14/2001)
"Good first time marathon" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The toughest part is, once the highway is reached at approximately mile 6, you can see the mountain marking the finish line 20 miles away. Psychologically it is daunting for a first-timer! The hill at the end is a real challenge on mushy legs and screaming quads but the overall experience was great. Will be back next year. | |
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Linda from San Diego
(5/30/2001)
"FAST FAST FAST" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I beat my best marathon time by over 20 minutes because of the downhill. This course has no real hills. If you're a wimpy runner you may not like the little bitty rolling grades at the start, but after mile 3 it is COMPLETELY downhill. There is another little grade right at the finish, but nothing to cry about. You'll also be without much crowd support, but if you don't mind running by yourself then you'll feel right at home. This is a super fast course and a real challenge in the desert. (could be sunny) If you don't like the wide open/sunny/desert/running by yourself marathon, then don't do it. Also, you'd better train right for this one. Big price to pay for the fast course if you're not in shape, 23 miles of a slight downhill will do a number on unfit legs/knees. Train for the downhill, or you'll be sorry. | |
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A runner from Colorado
(5/23/2001)
"Good course, but NOT 'all downhill'" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I've read the other comments that said that the marathon was organized well and a great course, and others that said it was full of hills and no water and poor organization. Here's my 2ยข -- Overall Organization - Good, as adequate directions were given as to the expo (which was fine) and parking for the start. Despite the other comments that said that the only way back to parking was by walking against the finishing runners, I personally rode a shuttle bus back to the parking area and there were an ample amount of those. The post-race party was on a big patch of dirt with no shade, could have used a few canopies put up so that people could chill out under there. Course - Yes the first few miles had some rolling hills but no killers, and it was useful in keeping me (and probably others) from starting off too quickly. Yes it's true that most of the marathon you're running on the shoulder of the road to the left of the cones, and on the shoulder there are those grooves dug into the pavement, but I never had to make any real effort to avoid them, they were off to the side well enough. Most of the course is slight downhill, no real quad-killing hills to worry about. Yes there's an uphill to the finish, I have to agree with that. Water stops - It is NOT true that there were no water stops between miles 5 and 13, but it IS true that there were not enough of them. They had advertised that there would be water every 2 miles so I left my water bottle at home -- big mistake when the stops turned out to be closer to 3 miles apart in mid-course. So I agree that there were not enough water stops, and if you're like me and prefer to load up like a camel at each stop, bring a bottle with you. Finisher's Medal - Yeah it's a cool cactus, but I do agree with the other comments that having the sponsor's name so prominently on the front made it kinda cheesy. Maybe the sponsor should have been inscribed on the second line rather than the event itself. Overall -- yes I will be back for this one, just keep in mind that it's a desert marathon and it's a very good idea to wear a hat, as the sun never lets up. Good luck! | |
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A Runner from chihuahua, chihuahua Mexico
(5/5/2001)
"excellent organization, fast and not too crowded" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I'm from Chihuahua, Mexico and I loved it. My wife supported me all over the way after mile 12 and it was excellent. I made my personal record and qualified for Boston. I'm running it again in December 2001. | |
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A Runner from Illinois
(4/18/2001)
"Fabulous, extremely fast course; Boston Qualifier" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I cannot believe the tepid reviews of this marathon! I thought it was super and will definitely run it again. The couple of short uphills were insignificant - the course is a steady downward grade, dropping 2200 feet. I was worried that the down-hill would be too steep, but for me it was perfect for falling into a comfortable, FAST pace. The temperature at race-start was in the 40s and we ran the first half with a tail-wind. As the temperatures climbed into the 50s the breeze shifted to the side which kept body temperatures comfortable. I ran my only Boston qualifier on this course, and bested my PR by 21 minutes! I think there were about 1000 marathoners, which was a good number. There were always runners around me to keep me motivated and 'racing', but I was never slowed by trying to get through a crowd of runners (as in many of the big races). No spectators? A dusty post-race party? Who cares. The race was well organized, the aid stations were well-manned and adequate, the course is unbelievably fast. I wouldn't have them change a thing. | |
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A Runner from Rock Springs, Wyoming
(2/4/2001)
"For a relatively new marathon, it is improving" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Have run it twice. From my first to my second run, the race from start to finish improved 50 fold. It will be an awesome event in a few more years. I thoroughly enjoyed the route and scenery. More spectator participation would be great. As for aid stations... No problem. They were every 2miles and there was plenty of fluids at every stop. Finish could be in a better spot...But what a challenging finish after a long run. Loved it. I'll be back, and I recommend it to every runner not whiner. |
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