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Tacoma City Marathon

Tacoma, WA
Sunday, May 2, 2027


  5 Stars from 2 Reviews

Course Description
The Tacoma City Marathon is a point-topoint course. The course starts by running across the iconic Narrows Bridge and finishes at Dune Peninsula Park at Point Ruston.

The course passes through Point Defiance Park. After exiting Pt. Defiance, runners cross over the Wilson Way Bridge with a half mile dowhill to the Puget Sound and Dune Peninsula Park. After a hilly first 12 miles, the course then continues on the flat and fast waterfront. The marathon turnaround is along the Thea Foss Waterway Esplanade. Runners then retrace their steps along the waterfront to the finish at Dune Peninsula Park.

May Other Marathons in May Other Marathons in Washington Marathons near Tacoma, WA



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Sunday, May 2, 2027
2026: Sunday, May 3, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Hilly
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: No

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 51°F (10°C)
Average High: 58°F (14°C)
Average Low: 43° F (6°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 98.49
Course Score: 98.49

Race Size

2026: 422 Finishers
2025: 402 Finishers
2024: 391 Finishers
2023: 365 Finishers
2022: 175 Finishers
2021: No Results

BQ Percentages

2026: 3.1%
2025: 4.7%
2024: 4.9%
2023: 5.2%
2022: 4%
2021: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 12 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 65°F  (18°C)
Low: 48°F  (9°C)

Race Start Conditions

50°F  (10°C)
Humidity: 80%

Clear
S 6 mph

PR Score

97.91

Course Score

98.11






Tacoma City Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Tacoma City Marathon was the 165th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 157th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 3.1% of Tacoma City Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 4.7% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Tacoma City Marathon ranked 294th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 167th so far in 2026. In Washington, it ranked 18th in 2025 and 9th so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Tacoma City Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Tacoma City Marathon has a Course Score of 98.49, ranking it as the 297th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 19th fastest marathon course in Washington.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Tacoma City Marathon a PR Score of 98.49. The PR Score ranks the Tacoma City Marathon as the 234th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 18th best marathon for a PR in Washington.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Tacoma City Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and Washington for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Tacoma City Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed297th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 19th fastest marathon course in Washington
Top 65% Nationally#19 of 25 in Washington
PR Potential234th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 18th best marathon for a PR in Washington
Top 51% Nationally#18 of 25 in Washington
Boston Qualifier Rate294th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 18th highest BQ percentage in Washington
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 62% Nationally#18 of 24 in Washington
Race Size165th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 9th largest marathon in Washington
Based on 2025 results
Top 28% Nationally#9 of 32 in Washington

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 411 feet (125m)
Min Elevation: 9 feet (2m)

Elevation Gain: 864 feet (263m)
Elevation Loss: 1126 feet (343m)


Tacoma

Course updated 03/24/2026




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Tacoma City Marathon

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Compare the Tacoma City Marathon to other Marathons

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Compare the details of the Tacoma City Marathon side-by-side with other marathons with our Comparison Tool.


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Race Reviews


5.0
Based on 2 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Full Review:

Weather is perfect in late April. Low 40's to high 50's consistently. City of Tacoma is surrounded by some amazing scenery and the race incorporates a few really neat views of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Point Defiance Park, Commencement Bay, and Mount Rainier. Gorgeous race and well run.

Race Tips:

Big hill in Point Defiance park from mile 16-18. 200 feet of elevation gain over these two miles. Race start can be extra chilly, especially when windy but you warm up quickly on the run.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Gear check and shuttle available from downtown Tacoma is free. Shuttle picks people up in downtown and takes you to the Tacoma Marathon start point at the airport. Free coffee, bagels, and snacks at the start.
Reviewed by THF About 2017

Full Review:

The cool drizzly weather and net elevation downhill make this course very friendly to making your PR and the elevation profile isn't accurate for the first few miles because it mistakenly records the route into the channel instead of on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge which is similar to running over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco where I live. This route has a lot of similarities to the San Francisco Marathon though it isn't a loop and is definitely easier being net downhill. In fact, the level changes really act to break up the monotony of the run and helped build pace for me. I PR'd here though I didn't qualify for Boston.

Race Tips:

Hopefully, this is corrected for next time, but the elevation profile on their website is wrong and needs to be corrected around the bridge. You lose about a third of the listed uphill elevation when this is corrected. Also, the expo is very small and underwhelming but don't let that keep you from taking advantage of a relatively small event that has a great route and location for the price imo.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Parking is easy and free near the finish of the race in downtown Tacoma so no need to use hotel parking and the shuttle to the start is fine. If you come from out of town, having a rental car is great to checkout the area, including Seattle.
Reviewed by Jim T. About 2014