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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 181 to 191]
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J. D. from Georgia
(12/12/2003)
 "A well run, friendly race with some imperfections" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I stayed at the hotel that was the race headquarter, and that was very convenient since the race is a point-to-point marathon and there was bus transportation to the start provided right at the hotel. The pasta dinner was above average and worth the $15.00. The bus ride to the start was nice and we left at 5 AM, arriving just before 6 AM. It was warmer than normal, but still cool when we arrived, so I am glad that we did not have to get off the bus until just before the race started. Throughout the day the weather was perfect, and was just beginning to get warm when I finished. The only real problem, and it was minor, was there was no water at the first aid station. I don't think this affected the race at all, and there were more than enough water stations late in the race, maybe too many. The scenery, for someone from the East, was just spectacular. The generally downhill course presented some new challenges. I got blisters on both feet, the first time in years, and my quads were very sore before the end of the race. More so than is usual after running a marathon. The uphill finish is a challenge, similar to the finish of the Marine Corps Marathon. Post-race was nice, lots of water and other drinks, but not a wide variety of food. I really like the cactus finisher's medal! All in all it was a great experience, I would recommend it and would do it again. As a matter of fact, I plan to do it again. | |
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D. N. from New Mexico,USA
(12/12/2003)
 "Great course, nice people, good weather" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Had a fabulous run, set my PR and qualified for Boston. Not as many participants as I thought. People were lining up and cheering along the course where they were allowed to. A few cops yelled at people parking along the road of the first half and threatened to arrest them. Perfect weather with 40s at the start and 60s at the finish. There were plenty of fluids (I mostly used water to wash down 3 Powergel packs and to cool my head), Cliff Shots and even candies at miles 20-22. The course started out uphill, then downhill all the way until the last 2-3 miles. Funny how my body got used to running downhill, the flat parts near the end felt like uphill. The ending was great as my body switched to a different set of muscles. Could have run a couple more miles after the finish. Higly recommend it for those who seek PRs. | |
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p. p. from Page, AZ
(12/11/2003)
 "No frills is right, but thats okay" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is my second marathon, and a perfect compliment to running my first in Chicago, as it was the opposite in a lot of respects. Not many spectators, especially in the first half, but the second half had great access, as my wife was able to catch me at almost every other intersection (whereas when I ran in Chicago, she could never even find me once - having few spectators sometimes has its bonuses!). The course is crazy fast, especially the first half. I beat my previous time by 45 minutes, mostly from in being in better shape, but also from the couple thousand foot drop in the first half of the marathon. It does flatten out though, and I did not run accordingly, thus hitting the wall trying to maintain my speed into the flat ending of the marathon. For a marathon as an experience, I would recommend something different, but for aggressive PR seekers, this is a great time-maker. No complaints on the sports drink (I like it weak!) but the Clif Shots were not handed out at mile 18 as advertised, rather, we were given a double dose at mile 22 (I think), which wasn't too big of a deal for me, but might have been for others. Great marathon, great volunteers, and a PR for me. More spectators and better access in the second half of the marathon could help though. | |
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M. G. from Scottsdale, AZ
(12/10/2003)
 "Friendly people, but still a no-frills race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This race would be liked by a lot more runners if the organizers tweaked a few things. There's a high entry fee in comparison to what is delivered. The sports drink needs to go; it's poorly prepared (and most have never heard of it). The t-shirt is full of sponsors' names, etc--not marathon caliber. The finisher's medal simply lacks (no wonder they hand them to you as opposed to hanging them on you). The expo is fairly lean, but the volunteers are very friendly. The first part of the course is very narrow. Because it is downhill, this race attracts a pretty aggressive crowd; it doesn't thin out until about mile 10 or so--running along the narrow highway's edge makes for some tricky maneuvering when you're passing others (it does widen after the halfway point). Post-race goodies were abundant and they did ice down the water (many thanks). Drop bag pick-up was easy, as was pre- and post-race bus travel. Weather was good to warm. Plan on an early chill that quickly disappears after sunrise. There are almost no spectators. Instead, you'll get a full view of the mountains and desert valley as you head towards Tucson (the race is north of the city). Rumor has it that there are course changes coming--check their website to see what, if at all, those rumors come to fruition. This race is basically about running; pure and simple. Little frills, but like I mentioned, very friendly volunteers. No frills doesn't bother me, nor do tacky medals and t-shirts--just adjust the entry fee to reflect that. I've spent a lot less and have received so much more at other events. Thankfully, there were no disruptions from cars crossing the path this year--the course marshalls gave us the right-of-way all the way; THANK YOU. | |
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Anonymous Poster from the Northeast
(12/9/2003)
 "No-Frills Race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 This race is extremely no-frills and seemingly effort is made to just get by with the bare minimum. There are no timing clocks on the course, you must wear a watch as that is your only mechanism to tell where you stand. There is water and sports drink, but there are no signs indicating which is which so you have to yell out and ask for sports drink if you want it as you are racing into the tiny water stop. There are no fans, so best to be a self-motivated racer. Even at the finish area there are only about 100 total fans spread out over the last mile. There are no awards. The top finishers got a piece of plywood with a print on it. It looks like they were mass-produced and are extremely cheap. The buses to the start of the half marathon drop you off 60-90 minutes before the 7am start into a dark dirt lot in the middle of the desert. It is completely dark and in the 30/40's in terms of temperature. There were 6 heatlamps there for about 1,500 or more runners. It was rudimentary at best. You were not allowed to remain on any buses so you had to stand in the cold and dark for up to 90 minutes. The course is decent but not the lightning-fast course it is cracked up to be. There are uphills and the pounding does affect your quads... more so in the full marathon. Also, 4,500 foot altitude at the start of the full marathon does affect those not from altitude. Overall, this is probably a good venue to get in a training run and have a nice, warm weekend, but is not currently a race that focuses on giving back to the runners. Mostly it seems that the race is trying to cheap-out. | |
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T. C. from Salina, Kansas
(12/8/2003)
"Enjoyed it and would do it again" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this marathon in 2003 and enjoyed it a lot. Contrary to others' posts, there were plenty of aid stations and only the first one was water only. I got Comp1 at the second. Sure it tastes different than Gatorade or PowerAde, but if you use it in training it kind of grows on you. The buses got us to the starting line well ahead of time (maybe a bit too far) but they stayed around so we had somewhere to sit and wait. It got awfully warm during the race. The uphill portions of the course were sure appreciated to give quads a break from all the downhills. A lot of the course seemed more level than anything else. They could open up the first half of the course for more spectators, as they are places to park in Oracle. Those who were there were doing the best they could. The best part about fewer spectators is that it is easier to find the ones who are there specifically to support you. I saw my wife at least a half dozen times over the last half of the race and that really makes a difference. | |
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J. N. from Texas
(12/8/2003)
"Fast course, great weather, excellent organization" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a very good race. It is a fast course and the three times I have run the race the weather has been perfect. The bus trip to the start is very well organized. It is cool at the start but you can stay on the bus. The only problem I encountered was the first aid station had run out of water, but I am sure that will be corrected in the future. There is also a very nice expo. | |
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A. W. from Tucson, Arizona
(12/8/2003)
"Small changes, big improvements" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I didn't run the marathon this year, but would definitely consider doing it next year. I did however run the half in prep for the Disney Marathon in a month. I am from the Tucson area and I ran the marathon relay last year with friends. Although it was a lot of fun and I set a PR for the 10k leg of the race, there were some noticeable things lacking in last year marathon. Thankfully, though this year these things have been corrected. First the actual running space was widened to include a full lane of road plus the shoulder, whereas last year it was just the shoulder. The relay switch off points were changed so that they were separate from the water/aid stations. Last year was such a mess because there were runners from the marathon colliding with relay runners handing off and volunteers with water and sports drink in the mix. To be honest this year I couldn't even tell where the relay points were. Lastly, this year they not only gave medals to the marathoners and the relay marathoners, but to the half-marathoners as well. Last year while standing in line for the porta-potties post race, my friends and I were behind a couple of half finishers who were congratulating us on finishing the marathon. We explained to them that we didn't do the marathon individually but as a group. One of them remarked on how they ran 13.1 and didn't get anything. I was a bit taken back by this. So I am glad that they recognize the half marathoners too! It is not 26.2, but how many people can go out and run 13.1 on any given day. That is accomplishment too! Overall, great weather, cool at the start, but no wind this year. Course can wear on your quads a little, but the rolling to downing hill running is nice. Great views of the Catalina Mountains and the valleys in the last 4-5 miles of the race. Aid stations were run well. The buses ran smoothly and were timely both to the start and the shuttles back to parking area. Overall, great race and great job to the race coordinators! | |
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B. T. from Texas
(12/8/2003)
"Would not run it again" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 There was a lack of water during the beginning of the race with nothing at the first water stop, limited amounts at the second and then normal amounts there on out, starting around mile 7 or 8. The sports drink offered when available was terrible in flavor/taste. If you want spectators during your marathon, this is not the one, as it is very spectator unfriendly. The average was about one spectator per mile and all were after mile 13. Would second the comment that I have been to 5k races with more food and water at the end than this marathon. I was very dissapointed in the overall organization and layout of the course and will not run this marathon again. | |
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J. C. from Grand Rapids, Michigan
(12/29/2002)
"SUN,MOUNTAINS AND BLUE SKY... CAN'T GET ANY BETTER" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 What a wonderful environment to run a marathon! Living in Michigan where sun is a rare commodity in the winter, the Arizona sunshine lifted my spirits. I kept looking to my left to engrave the picture of the mountain ridge in my memory for the trip back home. I loved doing a downhill marathon-oh my aching quads-and a desert marathon. A very friendly marathon, good support, thank you volunteers...and a wonderful finish line after the hill. While spectators are limited the first 13 miles, the small numbers of spectators were very encouraging. I hope to run it again in 2003. |
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