Yuma Territorial

With the exception of a brief downhill stretch at the start and an uphill as runners make their way to the finish line, Somerton’s Yuma Territorial Marathon & Half Marathon features a mostly long, flat straightaway out-and-back course along the shoulder of Arizona Highway 95, from the casino resort at the Cocopah Indian Reservation out through Somerton and back.With favorable elevations and weather, the course is conducive to setting your best times and provides an excellent opportunity to qualify for the Boston Marathon. The Marathon course is certified by the USATF. The course is an out and back course with minimal elevation change. Most of the race is run on the flats going downhill for about 74 feet at the start and running back up the 74 feet a couple of miles before the finish.This is a comfortable run, Sea level elevation, less than 100 feet of elevation change and beautiful temperatures all make for a fast and enjoyable race.The race will be on the shoulder of Highway 95. Racers will leave the Cocopah Indian Reservation and pass through Somerton, Arizona. Marathon racers will continue through Gadsden, Arizona near the border of Mexico and into the city limits of San Luis, Arizona. This race will bring you through the beauty of the desert southwest and through the rural communities of southern Arizona.