You can tell that this race is put on by a real runner (thanks, Pam Reed). The course is straight downhill, with no traffic issues, excellent aid stations, a well organized staging area, parking, etc. I've run 128 marathons, and I come back every year. This is THE best race for a PR in the US. Don't expect bands, cheerleaders, or lots of spectators. Just look straight ahead and run like the posse is chasing you. And book a massage for next week, because your quads will need it!

This was my first marathon, and I loved it. It was cold at the start, but I'd heard to wear a garbage bag to keep warm till we started, and that worked well. Most of the time leading up to the race I was in a warm bus anyway.

The first mile or two are on a dirt road, and local people were out early, clanging cowbells. I loved this! On to the road and the downhill.... I ignored everyone's comments that I should really train my quads for this race and pretty much didn't train at all for this race (how hard could it be? It's all downhill!), so... I paid for it. I was cruising really well (for me) until about mile 18 and then my quads just gave out. I'm not quite sure how I made it to the finish (I was surely one of the walkers toward the finish that people have complained about in their reviews...), but I did. Having the balloons over the road was MEAN. I was counting on that being the finish, and although the finish wasn't far from there, I practically started to cry when I realized I had to keep going.

From what I've heard, this marathon is popular with well-trained athletes who are looking to PR and/or qualify for Boston. Those of us finishing more slowly (I finished in 4:52) brought in the end of the pack. I had expected to be in the middle of the pack, based on stats of other marathons I'd read about, but my time definitely was in the group bringing up the rear in this race.

I lived in Oro Valley (where it finishes) at the time. I love the area, and loved the race. I'd definitely do it again, although next time I'd train....

Oh, and I think something was wrong with the splits. My first half and second half splits were almost perfectly matched. There is no way my second half was as fast.... I was walking for quite a bit of it and had jelly legs for the rest....

This is a great course for hardcore runners. I PR'd by 10 minutes. Many participants were trying to qualify for Boston. There is very low spectator involvement for the 1st 13 miles - you're pretty much on your own. The expo is small, but ok. You're bussed out to the start... and our bus driver got lost... more than once. The on-course support is weak - few clocks, not many toilets, terrible drinks. But the scenery, mostly downhill course and cool temperatures make for a very good marathon for the serious runner.

Nice marathon but the walkers need to walk elsewhere. They were a big pain in the butt! This may prevent me from going there again.

The bus ride to the start wasn't bad and it was cold when we arrived. However, before the start the sun began to come up and I was able to shed a layer to shorts, a t-shirt and a shell. The shirt and shell were gone by 6 miles. There weren't many porta-potties at the start but many of the buses had toilets and we stayed on them until it got near start time. The first mile rolls but it's pretty much downhill from there. I was woefully undertrained for this race as I hadn't recovered well from Columbus 7 weeks prior. Hoping for the best I surprised myself by covering the first 10 miles at BQ pace and going 14 miles before walking. I ran/walked the rest. Downhills don't bother me so I was in no more quad pain than normal after a 'thon but with the walking, take that as you will. The scenery was awesome and I never saw any traffic problems.

My suggestions would be for a street sweeper to hit the course the night before to clear some of the rocks. Bananas are supposed to be yellow. And it would be nice if the split time location were accurately measured. They're listed in the results as 8 miles, half, and 20 miles but the I think the 2nd was closer to 14 miles and the 3rd nearly 21 miles.

A nice race though and I think I'd have easily BQed (3:20) if I hadn't run Columbus (3:36) 7 weeks before.

Marathon experience started with a well-represented big-tent expo the day before. The buses for the race left promptly and got us to the starting line 45 minutes before the race. Several of the buses became the well-organized bag drop epicenters and otherwise, you could stay on the heated buses until 2 minutes before the start.

The course was up and down for the first 2 miles and then a gradual downhill for the remainder. Most of the comments for the '05 marathon swirled around people who did the required hill preparation or not. I didn't and suffered (my fault, not theirs) but liked the marathon for scenery and organization (water stops). While the course did parallel a highway for many miles, you could run where the road had little slope (cant) and the traffic was thin enough to not be an issue.

Good traffic control as the route approached north Tucson and a nice half mile of encouraging support for the final leg into the finish. Temperatures cooperated as we started at high 30's and ended in mid 50's. Lots of runners shed clothes for the first 6 miles.

Would recommend this a mid-size marathon for the 50 State group and as a good warm-up for the P.F. Chang run in January. Well organized by a race organizer and area running club who enjoy running! Couldn't ask for more than that. Thank you Tucson!

I agree with most of the earlier comments, so I will only add the following:

1) I too found the splits were off and the results posted did not agree with my GPS. I suspect that the timing mat at the half was well beyond 13.1 miles.

2) This is a small, low-key event with few spectators and two big attractions: the 25 miles of downhill running and the captivating desert scenery along the Catalina mountain range. Take the marathon for what it is and has to offer. It is a fast course, if one had trained properly and started out conservatively. But if you're not going for a PR, this course also allows you to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings - being at peace with yourself and appreciating the opportunity you have to be able to run in such a place.

3) The organizers, volunteers and people I met at the expo were very friendly and helpful. The volunteers at the water stations and at the finish were experienced and did a wonderful job (some of them even had the cup already squeezed before handing it to me - we runners do notice and appreciate these little fine gestures). I especially want to congratulate and say thanks to all the children and teens who were helping out (water stations, bag checks, garbage, etc.). They were polite, courteous and helpful, and it was nice to see them actively involved in such an event. Tucson and the surrounding communities should be very proud of this event and all the people who help to provide runners with this unique experience each year.

I have run 3 half marathons and one full here in Tucson, and while I would love to support Pam Reed's efforts, I cannot. The course is harmful to runners; if the downhill pounding of the course does not get you, the traffic, which is not stopped, will. Long waits at the start - the heaters never were delivered, and we could not stay in the buses. Few places for spectators to watch, so there were not many. Announcer at the finish was really rude in his comments. There has yet to be a ripe banana available at the finish. Not enough porta-potties. Focus is on fast runners only. I will go to Vegas next year.

This was my 43rd marathon. Not knowing which will be my last, I have been varying my courses, and being from the Big City, I appreciate smaller, country marathons. Tucson was scenic and fast. I am not criticizing the marathon, but one should be prepared for a few things. First, it is cold at the start when you're waiting around before sunrise. Be prepared to dress warm and peel as the sun comes up and the temperatures rise.

Although there is a 2,200 foot drop, the first mile contains some uphills. This is at an elevation of 4,700 feet so if you did your training at sea level like I did you will huff and puff.

The roads are a bit rough surfaced in places. Be careful. Also, much of the road is sloped sharply so you are running on an uneven surface.

After all is said and done, this was an excellent, well-organized run. I would recommend it. Spend some time in the area and enjoy the scenery.

If you train for a downhill course you should shatter your PR. I did by 4 1/2 minutes and qualified by over 10 minutes. The half split isn't marked but other than that it's a well run race. GREAT WEATHER! Except for the shuttle to the start the host hotel is a huge rip off. The Holiday Inn Express is cheaper and much closer to the finish.