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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers for 2026

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

It's here! Our annual list of the year's
best marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.

2026 IS HERE!


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Tucson Marathon

Tucson, AZ
Sunday, December 13, 2026


  4.6 Stars from 9 Reviews
Top 50 Best Boston Qualifying Marathon for 2026

Course Description
The course begins near the iconic Biosphere 2 near Oracle, AZ, and finishes at Pima Community College Northwest Campus near Oro Valley. Primarily downhill, this paved course offers runners a fast, scenic route with stunning desert vistas and distant views of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

The first 2 miles feature rolling hills, so be prepared for a gentle uphill to the top of the Biosphere gates, then some rollers before turning onto Highway AZ-77 at mile 2.8. From there, enjoy a smooth descent as you make your way toward Tucson. At mile 18, the course diverts onto the Cañada del Oro River Park Bike Path, where you'll continue through the Town of Oro Valley and the finish line.

The 2025 course has been updated slightly and runners will not incur a time penalty under the Boston Marathon's new Net-Downhill Standards.

December Other Marathons in December Other Marathons in Arizona Marathons near Tucson, AZ



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Sunday, December 13, 2026
2025: Sunday, December 14, 2025

Course Information

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

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 51°F (10°C)
Average High: 64°F (17°C)
Average Low: 38° F (3°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 102.96
Course Score: 102.96

Race Size

2025: 1,125 Finishers
2024: 1,077 Finishers
2023: 818 Finishers
2022: 549 Finishers
2021: 606 Finishers
2020: No Results

BQ Percentages

2025: 17.3%
2024: 14.7%
2023: 15.2%
2022: 15.3%
2021: 11.2%
2020: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 15 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 69°F  (21°C)
Low: 43°F  (6°C)

Race Start Conditions

44°F  (7°C)
Humidity: 57%

Clear
SE 6 mph

PR Score

100.85

Course Score

100.85






Tucson Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Tucson Marathon was the 82nd largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 77th largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 17.3% of Tucson Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 14.7% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Tucson Marathon ranked 49th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 86th in 2024. In Arizona, it ranked 3rd in 2025 and 3rd in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Tucson Marathon has a Course Score of 102.96, ranking it as the 9th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest marathon course in Arizona.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Tucson Marathon a PR Score of 102.96. The PR Score ranks the Tucson Marathon as the 9th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 1st best marathon for a PR in Arizona.

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

Tucson Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed9th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 1st fastest marathon course in Arizona
Top 2% Nationally#1 of 10 in Arizona
PR Potential9th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 1st best marathon for a PR in Arizona
Top 2% Nationally#1 of 10 in Arizona
Boston Qualifier Rate49th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd highest BQ percentage in Arizona
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 11% Nationally#3 of 9 in Arizona
Race Size82nd largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 3rd largest marathon in Arizona
Based on 2025 results
Top 14% Nationally#3 of 10 in Arizona

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



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 3994 feet (1217m)
Min Elevation: 2294 feet (699m)

Elevation Gain: 261 feet (79m)
Elevation Loss: 1763 feet (537m)


Tucson

Course updated 12/23/2025




Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Tucson Marathon

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Compare the Tucson Marathon to other Marathons

Use tools below to compare races and convert times across courses.

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


Comparison Tool

If you ran the Tucson Marathon in 5:17:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

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Race Reviews


4.6
Based on 9 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Amazing Race

Full Review:

-love the course
-love point to point
-easy logistics
-temperature perfect
-thought would be hot and never felt the heat and I am from Canada -host hotel is pretty pricey

Race Tips:

-hills at start helps not to go out too fast and then there is no other hills -lots of aid stations and well supported

Travel/Logistics Tips:

-there is a Marriott couple 100m from host hotel that is much cheaper
Reviewed by Carolyn About 2024

Amazing Race

Full Review:

-Course is amazing
-Didn't feel like a full marathon
-Easily met my goal for a Boston Qualifier
-worried it would feel hot at the end and it didn't and I am from Canada
-first few kms are tight and slow but make it up with the rest of the amazing course
-well organized -host hotel was pretty expensive and only offered a deal on 1 night for a room

Race Tips:

Starts perfect cool temp at 7:15 7C
Rises to 18C when finished around 11:00
Lots of aid stations
Reviewed by Carolyn About 2024

Great Course Support

Full Review:

There were aid stations and porta potties all along the course. The volunteers were very nice and enthusiastic. Most of the course is just along a highway, so not very special and there are very few spectator spots (because the traffic is still going both directions on the road.) There are more hills on the course than what the description leads you to believe. While the first downhill is pretty steep, the rest is much more gradual. Fantastic organization and communication.

Race Tips:

When running towards the biosphere the sun will be in your eyes. Bring a hat at least for that section.
Reviewed by Ann About 2018

Good PR/BQ Option

Full Review:

One of the only fast races in early December, and it's pretty cheap. Also, a Saturday race, which I find to be easier for travel and gives me Saturday night for beer and all day Sunday for recovery.

The race starts up in the mountain town of Oracle and finishes in the Oro Valley area, so not near downtown Tucson. One great feature - they let you stay warm inside the busses until a few minutes prior to start. First 10 miles or so are scenic and there is some shade, but after 13, you're just running out on the highway. Temperature was ideal, but there is no shade after mile 11 or so. Good organization, actually had a young volunteer come up to me with my drop bag just after crossing the finish line. Overall solid option to seek out a PR/BQ, and Tucson is a very fun town.

Race Tips:

Steep at the beginning, but flattens out. Solid uphill just before the halfway point, and another blip at the end. Biggest challenge was probably from 14-22, when you're just out on the highway, sun beating down, not a lot to distract you...

I did not notice any altitude issues - you're really not that high about sea level at any point.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Race hotel is pricey, but offers a discount if you reserve early enough. I stayed elsewhere and drove to the bus loading point. Straightforward, plenty of parking. Busses back to the parking area / hotel was a bit confusing. I was in a time crunch, so opted for uber, but they can't get very close to the finish area. For the unfamiliar, the "Tucson area" is pretty big - race finish area & hotel are about 45 minutes from the airport. PHX is probably about 90 minutes away, where flights maybe cheaper or easier. I had my pasta the night before at Bottega Michelangelo - fantastic.
Reviewed by DEL About 2018

Not a favorite

Full Review:

Not a favorite, but the course was mostly flat (although they are switching the course this year and it's going to be all flat/downhill). Not the best views and the sun gets hot.

Race Tips:

Make sure you stay hydrated! and wear a hat or sunglasses

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Staying at the host hotel is the easiest.
Reviewed by laurarjay About 2018

Small race. Beautiful course.

Full Review:

Small race. Beautiful course. Nice downhill
Reviewed by As About 2017

Full Review:

Small, simple, scenic, downhill, fast, cool (temperature).

Race Tips:

One of the steepest, most sustained downhills of any marathon in the world. Train on downhills at the end of long runs. During race day, run downhills (especially at the start) no faster than 20 seconds faster than goal MP.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

If you can afford it, stay at main host hotel. Nice place, logistics are so much easier.
Reviewed by NB About 2015

Full Review:

Fun race, but the logistics were poor. There was confussion about where drop bags should be left at the start. I ended up losing my trainers and a long sleeve because my bag was not at the finish. The web site crashed the day of so I could call anyone to try and retrieve it after either. By the time the site was back up with the number to call the bags had gone to good will.

Race Tips:

Don't use the drop bags. The course has a lot of downhill, train for it. Take the first 5 miles easy or you will pay for it at the end.
Reviewed by EO About 2012

Full Review:

Major net downhill, but up hill around mile 12 can be very difficult and discouraging.

Race Tips:

Wear throw away warm layers. It is very cold at the start then can quickly warm up.
Reviewed by Elaine About 2012