The downhill Buckeye Marathon starts in the community of Sun City Festival before making its way around the beautiful White Tank Mountains and ending at the runway of the Buckeye Municipal Airport. The course has a net elevation loss of 660 feet from start to finish.
The Buckeye Marathon was the 329th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 318th largest in 2022.
This year 18.8% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 14.2% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Buckeye Marathon the 107th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 17th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 100.88 ranks it as the 30th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 3rd fastest course in Arizona.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Buckeye Marathon a PR Score of 100.88. This PR Score ranks it as the 24th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 3rd fastest in Arizona.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Buckeye Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 1669 feet (508m) Min Elevation: 1009 feet (307m)
The course is very fast, a gradual downgrade with few turns and no significant hills. However, it is very boring with nothing to see but desert scrub brush for miles and miles. Nonetheless, adequate aid stations and port-a-potties along the way and typically decent running weather.
Race Tips
Clothing left at aid stations must be picked up the next day in Scottsdale, the other side of the valley. Left a nice running jacket at Mile 6, expecting it to be at the Finish Area, as promised. Would have worn a thrift store throwaway had I known.
4.5 Stars from 2 Reviews
