Scenic score
- Tucson Marathon
- 74/100 Favoured
- The Phoenix Marathon
- 73/100
Tucson Marathon vs The Phoenix Marathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofTucson Marathon or The Phoenix Marathon — which comes out ahead?
Tucson Marathon has the stronger available profile on scenery score and conditions.
Route comparison snapshot
Tucson Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Not held
The Phoenix Marathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Not held
| Metric | Tucson Marathon | The Phoenix Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Scenic score | 74/100 ✓ | 73/100 |
| Conditions | 97/100 ✓ | 94/100 |
Conditions
- Tucson Marathon
- 97/100 Favoured
- The Phoenix Marathon
- 94/100
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 | Tucson Marathon | The Phoenix Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-12-13 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-12-12 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Tucson, Arizona | Phoenix, 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 | Paved roads and bike paths (Canada del Oro River Bike Path / The Loop) | Mix of city street grid and paved multi Use trail |
| Elevation character | Net Downhill | Flat |
| Terrain | Road | Trail, Road, Towpath |
| Scenery | Desert, Countryside, Mountain | City, Desert, Riverside, Parkland |
| Atmosphere | Competitive, Destination, Scenic Tour | Big City, Community, Destination |
| Technicality | Non Technical | Non Technical |
| Total ascent | 79 m | Unavailable |
| Total descent | 537 m | Unavailable |
| Net elevation | -458 m | 300 m |
| Cutoff | Unavailable | 6:33:00 |
| Entry model | Open | Open |
| Qualifying status | Boston_equivalent | Boston_equivalent |
Schedule
- Tucson Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-12-13 (legacy event-level date).
- The Phoenix Marathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-12-12 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Tucson Marathon
- Tucson, Arizona
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Phoenix, Arizona
Actual distance
- Tucson Marathon
- 42.2 km
- The Phoenix Marathon
- 42.2 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Tucson Marathon
- Held
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Tucson Marathon
- Not held
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Not held
Course type
- Tucson Marathon
- Point To Point
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Point To Point
Surface
- Tucson Marathon
- Paved roads and bike paths (Canada del Oro River Bike Path / The Loop)
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Mix of city street grid and paved multi Use trail
Elevation character
- Tucson Marathon
- Net Downhill
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Flat
Terrain
- Tucson Marathon
- Road
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Trail, Road, Towpath
Scenery
- Tucson Marathon
- Desert, Countryside, Mountain
- The Phoenix Marathon
- City, Desert, Riverside, Parkland
Atmosphere
- Tucson Marathon
- Competitive, Destination, Scenic Tour
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Big City, Community, Destination
Technicality
- Tucson Marathon
- Non Technical
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Non Technical
Total ascent
- Tucson Marathon
- 79 m
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Unavailable
Total descent
- Tucson Marathon
- 537 m
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Unavailable
Net elevation
- Tucson Marathon
- -458 m
- The Phoenix Marathon
- 300 m
Cutoff
- Tucson Marathon
- Unavailable
- The Phoenix Marathon
- 6:33:00
Entry model
- Tucson Marathon
- Open
- The Phoenix Marathon
- Open
Qualifying status
- Tucson Marathon
- Boston_equivalent
- The Phoenix 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.