I thoroughly enjoyed myself at this marathon. Not crowded but enough runners not to ever be alone. If you like the desert scenery you'll love the course. The weather was beautiful and temperature cool. If you need crowd support you won't get much here; it's pretty much all country. I definitely plan on returning for future marathons.

I have read the previous two reviews. I had no trouble with the water stations. They were spaced about every two miles and had water and sportsdrink available. I noticed all the mile markers, they could be a little more conspicuous. You don't need split times at every mile, wear a watch. Course is basically fast, but no spectators. The last 1.2 miles is brutal uphill. The walk back to the parking area is over a mile, it needs to be closer.

There should be water and/or ade at every mile. Especially the early miles. The mile markers were small and hard to see. They should be larger, raised up, or marked with balloons. There should be split times at every mile. The pasta dinner was an overpriced rip-off. Weather was good, and course terrain is great, except for the cruel uphill finish. Crowds are sparse. Traffic control is generally good. Buses were on time and runners could stay in them for warmth before race. More port-a-potties at start would be really good. The finish area is an awful, dusty, shadeless, dirt lot.

All I heard about prerace was 'downhill!'. Beware, there are a couple slow, gradual uphills early on. Not too bad, but a surprise if you're not expecting it! No water from mile 8 to mile 14. (One water station was out). Busses to the start were well organized, allowed to stay on the bus to keep warm until the start. Disappointed to have to run on the shoulder of the highway. Unless you have family looking out for you, don't expect ANY crowd support!

Course is too boring and the lack of spectators does not help keep you motivated. The only route to walk back to the parking lot to get your car was along the running route which interfered with oncoming runners. Downhill course seemed to have some 'uphills' in it.

There were no relay signs to point out each leg on the marathon relay. I ended up missing the baton for my leg and one runner had to run two legs. Very poor organization, but a nice fast course.

This could have been a great marathon except for the poor organization. The pre-race expo was crowded and poorly run. Water stations were few and far between, especially at the finish line (when you need it most.) There are no spectators along the course. The course is mostly downhill which is nice, but runs alongside a major highway. I saw a runner nearly hit by vehicles more than once by motorist ignoring the orange cones protecting the runners. The temp. at the start was in the low 30's, and in the 70's when I finished (around noon).

Because I love Tucson and enjoy visiting in the winter, I decided to run the Tucson Marathon a few years back. I ran the race in 1998 and the start changed in 1999. I heard that it makes the course a little easier. In 1998 it was very cold at the start (30s), although I believe this is rare. The first couple of miles are a little hilly I suppose, but I didn't really find it that bad even though I was worried, I don't care much for hills in marathons. But after 3 or 4 miles it's a long, gradual downhill. It's great! The views are great with mountains on all sides. But don't expect a rural desert feel, you're running right on a major freeway on the shoulder. This surprised me.

The things I liked about this marathon:

1) The course is really nice, the downhill is nice and gradual and doesn't kill your quads. I think it's a fast course.

2) The weather was nice and cool, although it could potentially be hot.

3) The course is scenic. I like pretty mountains and desert scrub plants.

4) It's a smaller marathon--not a 'mega' race, but you always have plenty of people running around you.

5) Tucson is a great vacation destination. There's lots of interesting things to do and beautiful things to see.

What I didn't like about this marathon:

1) Not enough water. Not a problem if it's cool, but a problem if it's hot.

2) I didn't like running on a major road.

3) If you need spectators, they're few and far between.

4) Chintzy medallion.

Mostly I liked Tucson a lot and would run it again. I think the organization could be improved a bit, but I think this marathon has great potential.

2 steep hills right away in the first 2 miles...but then that's it. This is a best kept secret. I feel faster than Chicago because of all the downhill. Prepare for them...your quads will hurt if you don't. I have never drunk so much water in my life, but was fine due to the dryness of the desert. Just a very beautiful course with the mountains on your left the entire time after 2 miles. Expo is very small & crowded, need more porta potties (only 1 at mile 13) and the finish area was a disaster as far as if you needed to leave in a car/shuttle. They have supposedly learned their lesson and I plan on going back for one of my favorite marathons!

Downhill course in which you could PR. Problems with getting enough buses to take you to the start of the marathon or half-marathon in time for the start. Big mess with late arriving clothes at the finish. Food and drinks about a mile uphill after the finish. Parking...basically, needs a lot of work to put a quality event.