5/5 Stars

Race was challenging but I loved it! Aide stations were great. Everything was organized and started on time. It was a great experience!

Yes! 21 minute PR!

Challenging!! Those uphills were difficult and the downhill was hard. By mile 20 my body was struggling. The only real negative was the curry last mile. :) but it was a beautiful race!!

Training worked on speed, tempo, uphill and downhill workouts. We even did a couple of training runs down Mt Lemmon.

Practice your downhill. Prepare to take recovery very seriously! Downhill Running is no joke!

I ate a donut. :)

5/5 Stars

Great! Well organized and very runner friendly.

Yes, was able to hammer out a 2:54.

Aesthetically, one of the most scenic races I've done. I would say it's impossible to run the tangents due to staying on one side of the cones for the duration of the race. Therefore, the course will measure long, I had it at 26.42 miles. As far as the speed of the course, know you will be about 3-4 minutes off your marathon goal time in the first 4 miles due to the wicked hills. With that being said, you should be able to settle into your pace very comfortably for the rest of the race. If your body holds up for the last couple miles you're golden.

Did my miles, 55-70. Hit the quality runs and made sure I did a couple long runs on the actual course.

Make sure you get your hill training in, both up and down.

Relaxed

5/5 Stars

Beautiful run all the way downhill after a 2 Mike’s uphill.

No.

Extraordinary.

I run a marathon every week since 10/01/2017.

Try to conquer the first two miles and you will win the race.

See all the beautiful cactus

5/5 Stars

Loved it! Very organized no room to stress.

No, but I had been sick leading up to the race and race day. I finished with a good time that tells me that i could have PR'd if healthy. So I am excited to do this race again next year.

Loved. Hilly and challenging in the beginning.

We did one training run from mile 20 down to the bottom. So, I was prepared for being sore after the race and how it was going to feel.

Do a few training runs running down hill to prepare yourself for the feel of the down hill race.

Nothing--from the area. Went home and relaxed.

5/5 Stars

I loved the awesome views all along the run. Also everyone was so nice at the finish line and a volunteer even went and got me some pizza while I sat in the rapid reboot tent.

Totally PRed! Got a PR by 9 min. 6 sec.! Also got my first sub-3 hour Marathon, and my first New York Qualifying Marathon!

It like transfomed throughout the run the landscape at the top and at the bottom where both so pretty just in different ways.

I have really done well at running lots of Miles. I truly believe if you want to get better run more miles with the perfect mix of quality workouts and easy runs.

Don't really worry about being too conservative on this course just let the downhill carry you!

Had Gillato at an awesome place. I think it was called frost something I don't remember but it was great!

5/5 Stars

It started off a bit cold, although I was expecting it to be colder. The busses picked us up at a resort and dropped us off near the start line where runners were already lined up to use the port-a-johns for a last minute relief! About 15 minutes prior to start time, we all (reluctantly) gave up our warming blankets, and headed over to the start line. After the National Anthem, we hit the road on time and made our 4-mile journey up a nasty hill that seemed to never end. Indeed, this was my most memorable moment - reaching the crest of the hill to see the sunrise over the mountains as we made our way back down for 22.2 miles.

Yes! I gained a 14-minute lead over my last marathon and finished with 3:50:04.

Incredibly windy, but also incredibly scenic. It seemed that at every major turning point, the runners got another breathtaking view of the valley. The 8,000 ft elevation was rough for some, and may have been the determining reason why some did not do as well. But, I think the 4-mile up-hill at the start had a lot to do with it as well.

I had been consistently running 3-4 days a week with active recovery exercises on non-running days. The distances increased 10% every week, with one long run a week (usually on Saturdays). My "long runs" were usually between 15-18 miles. Only once did I ever run 20-miles during my 3 months of training.

Here's my tip: stick to the 10% rule. Increase your distances by 10% every week and include speed-training at least 1 day a week. Also, don't worry about your food consumption. If you stick to your training, your body will tell you what it's craving.

After picking up my race packet, I drove the course the day before the race and put my drone up in the air near the peak of the mountain. After that, I spent a lot of time with family before heading back home to Tampa, FL.

5/5 Stars

The biggest plus was having real nice buses with a bathroom onboard.

No, but I was faster than I've been in a long time. Yes, I qualified for my 17th Boston.

Great course, having the uphill in the beginning is much better than at the end. No crazy steep downhill sections.

I train in the mountain, and I love the downhills.

You have to train for the downhill, and if you can train on very long downhill on your long days you will be very prepared for this course.

Came from Colorado and combined a business meeting in with the trip.

5/5 Stars

out of the 17 marathons I have run ,that was one of most well run/organized marathons that I have attended and that includes 2 Bostons 09 & 11 unfortunately those days are long gone.

No and didnt plan on it

very challenging to say the least

I ran a 18 and a 20 down Mt Lemmon since its in my back yard. Please tell me you are doing it again next year and if so when ?same time ?

5/5 Stars

Amazing sunrise to kick off an amazing and beautiful course!! The volunteers were great, the aid stations stocked and porta potties a plenty! The course was fast and fun!

I tied a previous PR & qualified for Boston.

Beautiful views that started off in pine trees and finished with saguaros! Unique hoodoos along the way and city views made it all very memorable!

I ran 3 training runs down the course. One 10 miler, 21 miler, and 18. All helped me prepare the quads for race day.

Train downhill! Yes, it's fast but if your quads get too tired you'll slow down! Also work the quads on the eccentric phase of exercises so they get used to that time under tension. Make sure your shoes have a roomy tie box, but make sure your foot isn't sliding around too much. Don't overdress for the run!! It'll be a beautiful and warm finish!

We had a team dinner at Culinary Dropout which was not far from Packet Pickup. Fun and social Place to meet up!!

5/5 Stars

Beautiful mountain and a great run- Marathon

No but still had an awesome time

Beautiful and fast

Just normal training.

Enjoy the view and the 21 miles downhill

Enjoy downtown Tucson