Tucson

The Tucson Marathon offers runners a scenic tour of southern Arizona, combining vibrant city streets with expansive desert landscapes and mountain views. The race starts and finishes in downtown Tucson at approximately 730 m elevation, creating a largely balanced course profile with gentle rolling terrain. Beginning at sunrise in the heart of the city, the route passes through the historic Barrio Libre district and the Five Points intersection before gradually moving out toward more open desert areas. Along the way, runners experience views of the Tucson Mountains and pass notable areas including the University of Arizona campus and surrounding historic neighborhoods. The course features mild undulations rather than sustained climbs, with most elevation changes remaining small throughout the race.