Back to Tucson Marathon Information & Reviews
A. L. from Chicago, IL
(12/10/2012)
"Favorite Race!" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Tucson Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the best organized race I have ever run and has been consistenly for 7 years. There aren't many spectators if fans are important to you, but the course isn't over crowded. There is an appropriate distance from half marathoners and the finish line is great! I wish the course would return to it's 2005 route and eliminate the biosphere rd 4 mile stretch. I heard complaints about the the last two miles as well (which I personally don't find as unpleasant as Biosphere Rd). | |
f. b. from Flagstaff, AZ
(4/9/2012)
"Could be better" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Tucson Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I was disappointed by this race. No one seemed to know what was going on. For example, after the race I took a bus that got lost on the way to the parking lot. The first part of the race was cold, but lovely but towards the end it was less than scenic. The people at the aide stations were friendly, but there were no spectators (fine by me). A fine race, but it could have been better. | |
M. S. from Denver, CO
(12/13/2011)
"Weather great, better shirt, medal, and expo" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Tucson Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This was my second time running this marathon. The weather was perfect- no higher than 55 when I finished. The course although a net downhill, has some variety and not for those who don't save any gas for the end- i.e. it's uphill for a bunch of the last 6 miles.... overall much improved! | |
T. T. from Tucson, Arizona
(12/13/2011)
"Hard to beat December in Tucson" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Tucson Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 OK, I am a local and biased, but great weather is why I live in Tucson the course along the Mountains is spectacular. The only thing better would be a 10AM start and running over the mountains, but I am weird. A beautiful day with temps in the 70s is hard to beat | |
marcy azcarate from el paso, tx
(12/13/2011)
"great experience for my first marathon!!" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Tucson Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I loved this course. It was my first full marathon and I was very pleased with the course. Amazing weather, tons of water and powerade stations and bathrooms, and beautiful view :) I would love to run this again! | |
Ted Hobart from Arlington, VA
(12/13/2011)
"Scenic Course - Needs Help With Start Logistics" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Tucson Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Thank you so much for a very beautiful marathon course. I really loved being able to see the northern part of Tucson by running through it. I was in the early start group with the 50 States Marathon Club and we loved running under the full moon, seeing the sun rise, the mountains and incredible cloud formations. This was the fastest marathon for me this year and my quads are feeling it. Medal was awesome! The start line logistics was very confusing with the buses, drop off bags and even though I finished before the cutoff, there was nothing left to eat at the finish, but still its a 5 star race for me. Thanks for a great race! | |
John Derby from Lawrence, KS
(12/13/2011)
"Worst transportation to start EVER!!!" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Tucson Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 The start for the half was a disaster. We were supposed to arrive 5 to 5:30, and got there at 5:15. It was like rush hour, no one was directing traffic in the parking lot, just a lone cop waving you in there. The buses were gone at 5:15 and there were hundreds, nearly a thousand waiting. At 6:00 two, then a third bus came back and it was anarchy, people sprinting, shoving, standing in the aisle, yelling on the bus, etc. Several hundred were left behind, and I can't imagine they started. This is not okay. The other comments are pretty accurate, although I don't come to win, so I can handle stopping for three waters if I need that many. The course I absolutely love. Almost no fans, but all of the ones present are awesome. | |
L. U. from USA
(12/13/2011)
"Love Tuscon ...Friendly Spectators & aid stations" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Tucson Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Medal was great The ribbon Awesome. The course was well marked and the aide stations were well staffed! Nice to get such a soft tech shirt. I like the expo small, friendly, and well stocked with runner needs. Did the race start 30 minutes later then previous years? If so, I like 7am better. Thanks for a well organized race. | |
W. W. from Kansas City
(12/12/2011)
"LOVED your volunteers! They went above and beyond" (about: 2011)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 While running through the aid station at approximately the 16 mile marker, there was a young man handing out water to the runners. I was running thru the aid station, getting ready to extend my hand out for the water but the person in front of me took the last water. I continued to run (not stopping) to go back to get some water and next thing I knew, I heard heavy footsteps running behind me with a water cup in his hand saying, Miss...this is for you. He ran after me with a cup of water to make sure I had water until the next station. The gentlmen behind me, said, 'WOW', they have never done that for me! Absolutely amazing job from your volunteers!! Thank you. | |
T. F. from Texas
(12/12/2011)
"Could be better" (about: 2011)
50+ previous marathons
| 4-5 Tucson Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 There was too much down and up at the beginning. The roadside running had some poor places and traffic on the other side of the cones. The roadway running was very good. I liked the course when it finished at the hotel area better; not so many hills. The late start affected my late departure from the hotel. I think a lot of people went too fast on the first hills and suffered the consequences. I needed to sit down after and I did find a chair. Very good weather. Excellent course people. A great job. |
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