Race is almost here!

Only a few more days in the Tucson Marathon. Right now you should be resting and heading down to our awesome pre-race expo.
We want to wish everyone a GREAT race this weekend! If this is your first marathon or half -marathon, please enjoy it. There is something magical about completing your first. While you are down in Oro Valley and Tucson this weekend, please feel free to take in some of the sites. It is a great place to see.
Also, if you have not already figured out your dinner plans for Saturday night, check out the information on the Tucson Marathon Website about the Pre-Race Pasta dinner.

Have a wonder race and a great Holiday season!

So many reasons to run Tucson!

The Tucson Marathon is know as being one of the fastest Boston qualifiers in the southwest. With a decrease in elevation 2,200 feet, this is an easy way to run your fastest marathon ever. The 2011 Boston Marathon is already sold out. Last week it sold out in 8 hours!! YES, 8 hours. That is why it is so important to qualify early these days so that you cans register as soon as 2012 registration is available.


Coming to Tucson for the race is great, but we have so many wonderful things in the area to keep you entertained! Of course, the race expo will be open on Friday and Saturday (Dec 10th-11th) at the Hilton El Conquistador Hotel.  Tucson has over 30 beautiful southwest golf courses that let you relax and take in the sights. Travelers can explore ancient Native American archaeological sites, stroll through Tubac (Arizona's first European settlement) and follow the trails of early Spanish explorers and missionaries and so much more.

 If you haven't registered for one the Tucson Marathon events, please keep in mind that the entry fees increase on November 19th.  As always, a Boston Qualifying time at the Tucson Marathon is good for two years!  Register today by visiting the REGISTRATION tab on the website: http://www.tucsonmarathon.com/registrationb3bd.htm

Only 6 weeks to go

New Race information:

PRE-RACE PASTA DINNER ? SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
The pre-race dinner for the Tucson Marathon takes place on Saturday, December 11.  Get your tickets early for this event, which includes a presentation by our guest speaker, Lisa Smith-Batchen.  Earlier this year, Lisa ran 50 miles in all 50 states in 62 days to raise awareness for orphans and she will talk about this endeavor.  The dinner also includes a post-race raffle.  You can purchase tickets on the PRE-RACE DINNER tab on the website:  http://www.tucsonmarathon.com/pastab3bd.htm

RACE REGISTRATION
If you haven?t registered for one the Tucson Marathon events, please keep in mind that the entry fees increase on November 19th.  As always, a Boston Qualifying time at the Tucson Marathon is good for two years!  Register today by visiting the REGISTRATION tab on the website: http://www.tucsonmarathon.com/registrationb3bd.htm

See you there!!

Mt. Lemmon Marathon Finishers!!

If you completed the Mt. Lemmon Marathon, you get a discount!! The price is $70 for the half and $85 for the full. Simply, download the application off of the website and mention "Mt. Lemmon Marathon". Additionally, you will score an awesome special Headsweats hat!!!
http://www.tucsonmarathon.com/.

8 Weeks from the 2010 Tucson Marathon

The Tucson Marathon and Half Marathon coures will revert back to the route used in 2007 and 2008.  We received an incredible amount of feedback on the 2009 and many petitioned us to make the change.  While times were a bit slower in 2009, we hope the change brings about more Boston Marathon qualifying times.

The Holualoa Tucson Marathon point-to-point course starts in the historic town of Oracle north of Tucson and runs on a paved scenic route follows SH#77 along the majestic Santa Catalina Mountain range, dropping through the town of Catalina and finishing at the Coronado Middle School on E. Wilds Road, just north of Oro Valley. The race course closes at 1:30 p.m. so if you plan to walk, please understand you must be off the course by that time or be picked up by a "help" wagon.  Baby jogger and/or strollers ARE NOT allowed on the course at any time. 

For a PDF version of the course click here.

People LOVE the Tucson Marathon!

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for one of the best races I have experienced.  I have run 3 marathons (Melbourne Australia, PF Changs in Phoenix & New York), a half and hundreds of 10k and 5 k races (and a distance relay too). I heard the Tucson half would be fast and mostly downhill, but that was not the best part. The scenery is absolutely breath-taking. When the sun comes up you get a magical view of the mountains that almost brought me to tears.The orgnization was flawless. I parked per directions, caught the shuttle where I was meant to, was dropped right near the porta potties and had 30 minutes to start time. I could not believe that we had those outdoor heaters to stand under near the start and the gear busses were next to the start line and not miles away! I literally threw my gear into the bus, jumped under a heater for 10 minutes and stepped to the start line. Flawless!

Runner Comments

Just want to say thanks to you and your team for putting on a great marathon. I've run a number of point-to-point races, but usually they drop you off to freeze at the start. My friend and I were very relieved to have the option to stay on the bus while we waited. I will be sure to tell all of my running friends back here in CO that the Tucson Marathon is just as fast and well-organized as St. George!
--Regards, Jennifer

Welcome to our blog!!

Welcome to the TucsonMarathon blog! This is a new way for us to keep in contact with all of the race participants and update you with new race information.
The Tucson Marathon is changing the course!! We are going back to the 2008 course. We received an incredible amount of feedback on the 2009 and many petitioned us to make the change.  While times were a bit slower in 2009, we hope the change brings about more Boston Marathon qualifying times. Check out the marathon course map here!!

If you are not famililiar with the Tucson Marathon, please check out our website: http://www.tucsonmarathon.com/.

If you are a past participant, please send us your stories and successes about the race! Send pictures too!! We want to put you on our blog! If you have a great story to tell about the Tucson Marathon and 1/2 Marathon, send it it Tucson26.2@gmail.com. We will post stories on a weekly basis as we get them in.
Thanks for reading and we will see YOU in Oro Valley on December 12, 2010