SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2009

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2010 TUCSON MARATHON EVENTS IS OPEN!

FOR 2009 RESULTS click here

Holualoa Tucson Marathon Starts at 7:30 A.M.
Damascus Bakeries Half-Marathon Starts at 7:00 A.M.
Marathon Relay Starts at 7:30 A.M.

Enjoy Tucson at its best in December!

Please join us in supporting BETTER THAN EVER as the Official Beneficiary of the Tucson Marathon Events presented by Foot Solutions

Interested in motivating your staff and boosting your corporate image? Looking for a creative outlet for exercise and camaraderie while raising funds for a cause of YOUR choice? Lace up, choose a cause and join the CORPORATE CHALLENGE with your company!

Runner Comments from 2008:

Just want to say thanks to you and your team for putting on a great marathon. I've run a number of point-to-point races, but usually they drop you off to freeze at the start. My friend and I were very relieved to have the option to stay on the bus while we waited. I will be sure to tell all of my running friends back here in CO that the Tucson Marathon is just as fast and well-organized as St. George! --Regards, Jennifer

I hope you get a lot of messages from people thanking you for all the hard work that must have gone in to organizing the races this weekend - you deserve them! It was my wife and I's first marathon and we had a blast. We can hardly walk today but we've already started talking about marathon #2 which I know would never have been the case if your race hadn't been such a great event. Thank you to you and all your team. A memorable day! -Tim

Thank you for a great day! The weather was absolutely perfect and I ran a personal best on the course. -Greg

Thanks again Pam and staff for the delivery of a great marathon. Outwardly I just ran, so I want to take the opportunity now to thank all the volunteers who dispensed water, cheered me on, the gals in the convertible honking and going up and down Oracle (you go girl!), all the police presence who stopped traffic so my tired bones could take me across safely, and all the other tireless workers behind the scenes who made this event possible. Please accept this e-mail as a heartfelt hug to all of you. This was my second marathon, after a disastrous first one in October. For whatever reason, this marathon really clicked with me, and I ended up with a qualifying time for Boston. I loved every minute of it. (And the night before, when I was worried and could not sleep, I read your book).
--Jan in Socorro

Runner Comments from 2007:

If you are looking for a fast, gradually-downhill marathon with no big crowd hemming you in, the Tucson Marathon is your race. I have run many races that are said to be fast and downhill; however, none compare to the Tucson Holoalua Marathon. The race starts in the town of Oracle and ends in the Tucson area. --Kamran T. Professor, University of Arizona

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for one of the best races I have experienced. I have run 3 marathons (Melbourne Australia, PF Changs in Phoenix & New York), a half and hundreds of 10k and 5 k races (and a distance relay too). I heard the Tucson half would be fast and mostly downhill, but that was not the best part. The scenery is absolutely breath-taking. When the sun comes up you get a magical view of the mountains that almost brought me to tears.The orgnization was flawless. I parked per directions, caught the shuttle where I was meant to, was dropped right near the porta potties and had 30 minutes to start time. I could not believe that we had those outdoor heaters to stand under near the start and the gear busses were next to the start line and not miles away! I literally threw my gear into the bus, jumped under a heater for 10 minutes and stepped to the start line. Flawless!

There were plenty of water stops and great food at the end. I raved and raved and raved about the event to all my running buddies (and anyone who would listen) for weeks. Thank you again,

--Cassy R

Thanks for putting on such an amazing event in Tucson again this year.  I've run the Tucson Marathon 
each of the past three years. 2005 was my first marathon ever. I'm one of the stragglers who finishes 
last, so I have plenty of time to observe and appreciate the route each year. ;-)

I wanted to specifically mention that I thought the marathon route this year was the best of the three 
different variations that I've run. The out-and-back around mile 13 was a little hard, but it was in the 
right place of the run and once I hit the turnaround, it was great. The ending had some gravel and was 
ever so slightly uphill, but it was SO MUCH better than the 2006 finish! I really liked the course this year 
and I can imagine how difficult it must be to work through the course decision.

So this is a note to say THANKS for always a great, easy, smooth experience for me as a first-time (and 
second- and third-time) marathoner, and definitely that this year's course was awesome!

--Lisa

Kudos to you and the many great volunteers and sponsors for the 2007 Tucson Marathon. This was my 16th marathon, so I feel I have some credentials in saying that the organization and execution of the event were excellent. I know how hard it is to think of everything...and more... but you did. And what a spectacular day it was. Most of all, the friendly, tireless efforts of each and every one of the volunteers are very much appreciated by this "seasoned" (ok, old) runner. Keep up the good work.

--Rebecca M

The scenic start and near perfect weather provided the ideal settingfor me to PR and get my BQ at the 2007 Tucson Marathon. From the Oracle residents who came out early to cheer on the runners to the wonderful volunteers at the well-placed aid stations and finish line, the event rates first class for me. The new Biosphere loop added some variety in an otherwise mostly downhill course. What a great running experience.

--Candy P

Official Tucson Marathon results are forwarded to BAA for
Boston Marathon qualification.

Purchase Pam Reed’s book

The Extra Mile: One Woman's Personal Journey
to Ultrarunning Greatness

By Pam Reed, Mitch Sisskind

The story of the woman who shocked the running world in 2002 when she won the sport's most grueling race—135 miles from Death Valley to Mount Whitney—beating her closest competitor by 5 hours!

As this inspiring memoir proves, her athletic accomplishments are only half the story. In The Extra Mile we watch this ultramarathon champion seek balance in her life as a wife, mother, athlete, and entrepreneur. With astonishing candor she tells of her 15-year-long battle with anorexia. And she helps us to understand her passion for ultrarunning—to discover how far the human body can be pushed. Reed's TV appearances have demonstrated the public's fascination with this growing sport. Reed's book will be an inspiration to women everywhere.

GRFD