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May 19, 2024

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 71 to 81]

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S. B. from Midland, TX (12/16/2009) "Average event" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Tucson Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 The course overall was good to me. I definitely think it is a fast course; it just didn't work out that way this year because of the headwinds. Even with the hill in the closing mile, it's still a BQ course. If you don't BQ here, you need to check with the person in the mirror, but it's not the fault of the course. No crowd support, but what else would you expect on such a small marathon? No legitimate reason to complain about that. If you want lots of crowd support, go to the 20,000+ races. I agree with previous comments about the t-shirt and medal. Very "local, small race" quality for the entry fee paid. The pre-race pasta dinner was overpriced, but convenient for me since I stayed at the marathon hotel, so that was a "wash." I loved the buses being available to sit in until start time. That was great, especially the chartered buses from the hotels. Thanks! The food provided after the race was not that bad and the massages being offered were nice, although I opted not to get one. My only other complaint other than medal and t-shirt is the half marathon walkers still on the course that walk 3 and 4 abreast while the marathoners are coming from behind. We had to maneuver around several who didn't realize that they were actually in a "race." Not a big deal to many, I'm sure, but just more of a hassle. Overall, I had a great time, I like the course, and if other races in the works don't fall into place, I will consider coming back.
J. C. from Phoenix, AZ (12/16/2009) "Great other than the wind" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Tucson Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Per my Garmin, the elevation profile was correct, though I agree that it did seem more uphill starting around 22 or 23. That wind for the last 10+ miles was 22 mph directly into our faces. I thought it was a great course and well managed race. I don't see how someone can complain about the climb at 8, as that was part of an out-and-back, and you got to enjoy that same section as a downhill. The only issue I have is the lack of signs. I know directions are handed out, but after a marathon ones thoughts are not exactly clear and a few well placed large signs would have made it a lot easier. Specifically, it was very difficult to find your way to the shuttle buses back to the parking lot. The sand for the last 50 meters was tough, but it's only 50 meters and will probably make for some nice photos. Don't think this is an automatic PR; you still have to train for the hills (BOTH up and down) and run the race... and as always, anything can happen in a marathon. It's clear that the brutal wind really hurt the times. I have already signed up for next year. If the course stays the same and we get lucky with the wind, I WILL be ready and WILL PR.
T. A. from Tucson, AZ (12/16/2009) "A Good Local Race" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Tucson Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I find it funny when marathon runners complain about how hard a course is. This course was fine and beautiful, but did have a few tough spots. I also personally liked the sports drink XOOD as well. First time in awhile that I did not have digestive issues after a race. I plan on buying some for training.
R. M. from Salt Lake City,UT (12/16/2009) "Very average marathon experience" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 2 Tucson Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 Pros: * Qualified for Boston * Escaped the cold for a few days Cons: * XOOD is unpalatable * Cotton t-shirt in 2009?? * Absence of post-race food * Shuttle system overwhelmed * Overall, it felt like parsimony was the priority A very average experience and a relatively poor value.
T. R. from Ohio (12/15/2009) "Not as fast of a course as I thought!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tucson Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Despite missing my goal time by about 20 minutes, I enjoyed running this race. I don't get to run in the Southwest much, so it's always a treat! Here are my general comments: The expo: very small and easy to navigate. I think I was there for 15 minutes and I walked through all of the booths. Race pickup: Having a shuttle pick us up at the hotel was a great touch! I just wish the coordination was a bit better. It was supposed to be a 5 a.m. pickup but we didn't leave until 6:15. That extra hour of sleep would have been nice! Course: The elevation chart was VERY misleading. It appears you do nothing but go downhill for 7 miles, then uphill for a mile, then downhill for the next 15 or so. Definitely not the case. The first 8 miles are very rolling and tough! Unfortunately, the rest of the race was into a stiff headwind and I was out of gas by 23. The hill at 24.4 or so was just plain WRONG (haha!). Fan support: I didn't really see much but the volunteers were very energetic. Thanks! Post-race shuttles: Better markings would have been nice! Nobody knew which buses went where. It took me about 90 minutes to get back to my hotel. Orgainzation: Good. Can't think of much they could do better. Schwag: I would have expected a tech shirt for the price of the entry fee. The plain white cotton t-shirt was disappointing. Race medal was a nice cactus, but very small. All in all, I'd actually recommend this one for a nice change of pace. Very friendly event. I may come back for the half!
B. C. from Phoenix, AZ (12/15/2009) "Bring Back the 2008 Course!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Tucson Marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Anything can happen during a marathon; some days are good and some are not so good. Weather is tough to predict and this year we had very strong headwinds from 13 to the finish. There are no spectators to speak of and you are exposed most of the way. The changes to the course in 2009 brought a tough 200+' climb between miles 6.5 and 8. With an entry fee near $100, Tucson is a poor value: cotton T-shirt, cheap finisher's medal and very little food/drink at the end (no space blanket). So why does one run this race? I suppose mostly to gain a fast time or to make the distance a little easier by running downhill. Bring back the 2008 course, please (and the weather, if you can).
W. M. from NC (12/15/2009) "Would run it again" (about: 2009) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Tucson Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I just ran the 2009 race and here are my comments: Good: 1) The course: It's a steady descent for the most part. There is one out-and-back section around mile 4 that has a pretty good uphill coming back. There's also an unwelcome hill around mile 24. But, who's complaining? It's a definite downhill race overall. 2) Climate: Being from the East Coast, I wasn't sure what to expect running in a Southwestern desert setting. Turns out the cool, dry air in December in Arizona is perfect for running. Just keep yourself hydrated. While my muscles were sure hurting, I really didn't break a major sweat. Well, maybe I did sweat a little, but its certainly not like running at Myrtle Beach.... Not-As-Good (but not bad): 1) Not a lot to complain about. The course description on the website and materials they handed out were misleading. I tried to drive the course the day before and it didn't match the map they handed out. 2) Not really a negative, but there was almost no crowd support. However, I did keep running across the same small group of very enthusiastic supporters along the way. Thanks from "Neon Guy," if you are reading this! 3) The Setting: Ok, I'm not really complaining about this either, because the course with surrounding mountains is quite scenic and worthwhile. However, very nearby is the historic Catalina Highway, which is one of the most beautiful drives in America. Why not have the marathon there instead? Suggestions if you plan to run this race: 1) Stay up in the northern part of town, closer to Oracle. I stayed at an airport hotel, which was a stupid mistake. If I had it to do over again I would pay the extra dollars and stay at one of the nice resorts up where the host hotel is located. Tucson is one of those spread-out western cities, and if you stay on the opposite side of town, then you are literally 30 minutes (or more) away from the race itself. 2) Carb-load at Mama Louisa's restaurant. They have homemade pasta, and my baked ziti was about $10. Beats any pre-race pasta dinner (boxed spaghetti and prego?) I've ever had. 3) An actual running suggestion: For me, if I were to run this race again, I would start out with a pace group for the first 7-8 miles to help me get through the the tough "out and back" section. From there it's almost all downhill, and I would try to run ahead and make my time from that point. This is definitely a race where you should take advantage of the long, long downhill from about mile 8 to mile 24 (after the tough start).
E. C. from Litchfield Park, AZ (12/15/2009) "Decent, but definitely needs to make improvements" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Tucson Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I came in a few seconds after my PR time, so overall, I was satisfied with my effort on this course, but I do have some suggestions... 1) As others have said, not exactly as easy as one would expect for a downhill marathon. I sure felt a lot of strain up some of those hills! 2) My goal was 3:40 in order to qualify for Boston, so this suggestion is for the 3:40 pacer. The guy took off at a below 7-minute-per-mile pace right from the start. I finally caught up around mile 7. Then, the pacer slowed significantly around mile 10 since he realized that he was going too fast. Then at mile 15, he realized he was too slow and took off like a flash. I think all of us that had stuck with him up to mile 15 were left in the dust. So, my suggestion for him is to find the AVERAGE pace and STICK with it. And for the race directors, realize that the people who typically stick with the 3:40 pacer are WOMEN trying for Boston. Please don't give me a 6'3" man who decides to stride out at mile 15. My legs just can't do the same strides. Missed qualifying by 9 minutes, and though I learned a little more about what I need to do in order to make it, keeping with the pacer really messed me up in making my goal. 3) What's up with catching a bus at 5 a.m. only to arrive for the 7:30 start at 5:45? Perhaps it was only my hotel, but I was under the impression that I had to catch that bus, and I would prefer to catch more sleep in bed rather than at the cold start. I think I would run it again... I just know I would stick with my Garmin rather than the pacer and definitely bring music next time, since most of the course is a lonely one. And yes, tech shirts would be a nice addition next year.
K. H. from Houston, TX (12/14/2009) "Challenging Course" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Tucson Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This race was not the PR course that I anticipated. I was conservative at the start, a little more agressive in the middle and then totally spent by the end. I missed my PR by about one minute, which was disappointing considering all my training. The organization was good, and the spectators who where out were enthusiastic. I would consider running it again.
S. L. from Southern California (12/14/2009) "Fast: Yes; Friendly: Not So Much" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Tucson Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I grew up in Tucson, so it was only appropriate to partake in my hometown marathon course (I have been a runner for 15 years, but only recently began the marathon experience, with Tucson as my 3rd). In 2008, I participated in the Tucson Marathon Relay. The 2008 Relay proved successful. My mother (our support crew) drove the course with relay members in tow to various points, took pictures, and eagerly participated as a spectator at multiple points during the run. Her eager support inspired our first-place finish. However, in 2009, at the expo I was told that spectators would not be allowed on the course until after mile 18. I questioned the information No spectators for 18 MILES? That is absurd! The marathon personnel reported that it was for safety reasons. Instead of driving throughout the course, I directed my mother to meet me around 14.5 miles with a water bottle. There is a dirt-road pull off at this location where she could easily park. However, the special police officers of Oro Valley demanded she move her car 3 times, to the point where they were writing her a ticket. She was told ALL spectators can only be at MILE 19 through 26.2. Reluctantly, she moved her vehicle. I was shocked when I ran past mile 14.5 and saw spectators! I couldn't believe the inconsistent discipline of the Oro Valley police or the rule of no spectators for such an incredible portion of the race. Other friends/spectators had to hide from the police to cheer me on at mile 17 in order to not get a ticket. Overall, the weather was windy and unpredictable to Tucsons standard. I still ran a P.R. and won my age group (the award was a southwestern sand painting - the exact same gift I received as an overall winner for the relay the previous year), but was upset that my mom wasn't able to be involved with my race experience. I will probably not ever run this race again because it was such a disappointing experience for my friends and family.

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