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 109th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 52nd 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 23rd 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.
I liked the marathon because it was to a destination and not multiple loops on the same course. Lots of safety in place to include police at intersections and cones along the roadway. Long straight stretches, and not always people in sight so be self motivated. The downhill advertised is not noticed, because it is very gradual over the entire distance. Well staffed event, good aid stations.
Race Tips
Dress warm for the start, but wear clothes you can easily shed and possibly dispose of. It was freezing at the start, but warmed up by the finish. And drink LOTS of liquid. Because it was so cold, I didn't think I was sweating that much, and it caught up with me in the later miles. It is still in the desert, dry air and breeze. Respect the desert!
Stay in Phoenix and have fun there with your family if they come. You'll need to rent a car to get to the start. Long line at packet pickup, plan accordingly.
Dvo's review of 2016 Buckeye Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Nice small size marathon good weather.
Race Tips
Be prepared to run your own race since there are only a few runners on the course.
4.3 Stars from 3 Reviews
