Scenic score
- The Phoenix Marathon
- 73/100
- Tucson Marathon
- 74/100 Favoured
The Phoenix Marathon vs Tucson Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofThe Phoenix Marathon or Tucson Marathon — which comes out ahead?
Tucson Marathon has the stronger available profile on scenery score and conditions.
Route comparison snapshot
The Phoenix Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Not held
Tucson Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Not held
| Metric | The Phoenix Marathon | Tucson Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Scenic score | 73/100 | 74/100 ✓ |
| Conditions | 94/100 | 97/100 ✓ |
Conditions
- The Phoenix Marathon
- 94/100
- Tucson Marathon
- 97/100 Favoured
Only metrics available for at least one side are shown. A ✓ marks the better value for each metric (higher-is-better aware). Scores are out of 100 when available. Ascent, climbing density, max absolute grade and median finish describe course or field context and are not marked as better or worse.
Race facts that change the decision
| Fact | The Phoenix Marathon | Tucson Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-12-12 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-12-13 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Phoenix, Arizona | Tucson, Arizona |
| Actual distance | 42.2 km | 42.2 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Not held | Not held |
| Course type | Point To Point | Point To Point |
| Surface | Mix of city street grid and paved multi Use trail | Paved roads and bike paths (Canada del Oro River Bike Path / The Loop) |
| Elevation character | Flat | Net Downhill |
| Terrain | Trail, Road, Towpath | Road |
| Scenery | City, Desert, Riverside, Parkland | Desert, Countryside, Mountain |
| Atmosphere | Big City, Community, Destination | Competitive, Destination, Scenic Tour |
| Technicality | Non Technical | Non Technical |
| Total ascent | Unavailable | 79 m |
| Total descent | Unavailable | 537 m |
| Net elevation | 300 m | -458 m |
| Cutoff | 6:33:00 | Unavailable |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
| Qualifying status | Boston_equivalent | Boston_equivalent |
Schedule
- The Phoenix Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-12-12 (legacy event-level date).
- Tucson Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-12-13 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Tucson Marathon
- Tucson, Arizona
Actual distance
- The Phoenix Marathon
- 42.2 km
- Tucson Marathon
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Held
- Tucson Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Not held
- Tucson Marathon
- Not held
Course type
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Point To Point
- Tucson Marathon
- Point To Point
Surface
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Mix of city street grid and paved multi Use trail
- Tucson Marathon
- Paved roads and bike paths (Canada del Oro River Bike Path / The Loop)
Elevation character
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Flat
- Tucson Marathon
- Net Downhill
Terrain
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Trail, Road, Towpath
- Tucson Marathon
- Road
Scenery
- The Phoenix Marathon
- City, Desert, Riverside, Parkland
- Tucson Marathon
- Desert, Countryside, Mountain
Atmosphere
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Big City, Community, Destination
- Tucson Marathon
- Competitive, Destination, Scenic Tour
Technicality
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Non Technical
- Tucson Marathon
- Non Technical
Total ascent
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Unavailable
- Tucson Marathon
- 79 m
Total descent
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Unavailable
- Tucson Marathon
- 537 m
Net elevation
- The Phoenix Marathon
- 300 m
- Tucson Marathon
- -458 m
Cutoff
- The Phoenix Marathon
- 6:33:00
- Tucson Marathon
- Unavailable
Entry model
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Open
- Tucson Marathon
- Open
Qualifying status
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Boston_equivalent
- Tucson Marathon
- Boston_equivalent
Facts are shown only when they exist in the sourced race record; Not held means no sourced value is held for that race.