2025 Tucson Marathon
The 2025 Tucson Marathon takes place on Sunday, December 14, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona, featuring a scenic net downhill course that starts at Biosphere 2 in Oracle and finishes at Pima Community College Northwest Campus. December in Tucson typically offers mild to cool running conditions with daytime temperatures ranging from 55-70°F (13-21°C) and minimal rainfall, making it an ideal time for distance running. The event offers multiple racing options including a full marathon, half marathon, 50K ultra, marathon relay, and wheelchair half marathon, all set against the backdrop of the Santa Catalina foothills. Participants can expect well-organized logistics with packet pickup options in Phoenix and Tucson, a comprehensive race expo, and USATF certification with Boston Marathon qualifying eligibility for marathon finishers.
What race distances and categories are available?
- →Marathon (26.2 miles) starting at 7:15 AM from Biosphere 2
- →Half Marathon starting at 7:15 AM from Golder Ranch Fire Administration
- →50K Ultra starting at 7:15 AM from Biosphere 2
- →Marathon Relay starting at 7:15 AM from Biosphere 2 (limited to 50 teams)
- →Wheelchair Half Marathon starting at 7:10 AM from Golder Ranch Fire Administration
What are the current registration fees?
- →Marathon: $174.30
- →Half Marathon: $152.64
- →50K Ultra: $185.12
- →Marathon Relay: $325.85 (sold out)
- →Wheelchair Half Marathon: $152.64
What is the course elevation profile?
- →Total distance: 26.2 miles (marathon)
- →Elevation gain: 292 feet
- →Net elevation loss: 1,493 feet
- →Maximum elevation: 3,969 feet
- →Course type: Net downhill with rolling hills transitioning to sustained downhill sections
What are the marathon course records?
- →Men's record: 2:12:47 (Riley Nedrow, 2024)
- →Women's record: 2:38:30 (Obsie Birru, 2024)
What time do the races start?
- →Most events: 7:15 AM
- →Wheelchair Half Marathon: 7:10 AM
What certifications does this race have?
- →USATF Certified course
- →Boston Marathon Qualifier status
- →Results sent directly to Boston Marathon for qualifying times
When is the race expo and packet pickup?
- →Phoenix packet pickup: Friday, December 12 at Aravaipa Running HQ
- →Tucson packet pickup: Saturday, December 13 at Pima Community College NW Campus
- →Race Expo: Saturday, December 13 from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the finish line venue (Pima Community College NW Campus)
When does registration close?
- →Final registration closes: December 13, 2025 at 11:59 PM MT
What is included in the race experience?
- →Live results and runner tracking via Chronotrack
- →USATF certified courses
- →Volunteer opportunities with race credits and swag available
- →Professional race organization with established course records
What should I know about the course routes?
- →Marathon & Relay: Start at Biosphere 2, travel through rolling hills, descend along SR 77, pass through Catalina and Oro Valley, finish at Pima Community College NW Campus
- →Half Marathon: Starts at Golder Ranch Fire Administration, follows the second half of the marathon course, joins The Loop Bike Path for final sections
- →50K Ultra: Follows the complete marathon course with an extension to Ted Walker Park and return
What is the weather typically like in Tucson in mid-December?
December in Tucson offers ideal running conditions with mild to cool temperatures typically ranging from 55-70°F (13-21°C). The area experiences minimal rainfall during this period, and runners can generally expect clear to partly cloudy skies. The elevation gain and net downhill course profile, combined with the mild temperatures, create favorable conditions for distance running. Early morning start times (7:10-7:15 AM) mean runners will begin in cooler conditions, which gradually warm through the morning.