Buckeye Marathon

Grove City, United States of America 10 Jan, 2026

The Buckeye Marathon is a road running event held annually in Buckeye, Arizona. The marathon course begins in Sun City Festival, a residential community, and passes around the White Tank Mountains, concluding at the runway of the Buckeye Municipal Airport. The route is known for its significant net elevation loss, with marathon participants descending more than 530 feet from start to finish, a feature that can contribute to faster finishing times for many runners.

This event is recognized as a certified qualifier for major marathons, meeting the standards of the USATF and serving as both a Boston and National qualifier. The marathon course is designed with a closure time of six hours, meaning participants must maintain at least a 13:45 per mile pace to finish within the allowed time.

Other distance options at the event include a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a one-mile fun run, all of which begin and end at the airport. Runners in these shorter races experience out-and-back courses with views of the White Tank Mountains. The marathon segment differs by starting away from the airport and proceeding to finish there, while the remaining distances are contained within the airport vicinity.

Course support includes chip timing for all events. The event typically takes place in cool winter months, often in January, which provides favorable running conditions in the Arizona desert climate. Organizers do not issue refunds, but options are available in advance for deferrals or switching to a virtual race if participants cannot attend. Proceeds from the event support the local Youth Scholarship Fund that provides recreational opportunities for children in the area.

The course’s downhill nature generally makes it less physically demanding in terms of climbing but can present unique challenges, such as increased impact on the legs during extended descents. The marathon is regarded as accessible to a wide range of runners, but participants should be prepared for possible exposure to sun and dry conditions typical of the region. Chip timing ensures accurate race results, and the event is typically staffed with volunteers and some limited on-course support, though runners should plan accordingly for personal hydration and nutritional needs.

Generic Marathon Time This represents the time you would expect to run a "generic" marathon in. This is a marathon with around 250 m (800 ft) of elevation gain and a temperature around 10°C (50°F). For best results, use our Race Predictor.

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Buckeye Marathon Time


Statistics

Elevation
Elevation Gain 72 m 236 ft
Elevation Low 313 m 1027 ft
Elevation High 513 m 1683 ft
Weather
Expected Temperature (Low) -4°C 25°F
Expected Temperature (High) 3°C 38°F
Chance of Rain 19%

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The Buckeye Marathon is a road running event held annually in Buckeye, Arizona. The marathon course begins in Sun City Festival, a residential community, and passes around the White Tank Mountains, concluding at the runway of the Buckeye Municipal Airport. The route is known for its significant net elevation loss, with marathon participants descending more than 530 feet from start to finish, a feature that can contribute to faster finishing times for many runners.

This event is recognized as a certified qualifier for major marathons, meeting the standards of the USATF and serving as both a Boston and National qualifier. The marathon course is designed with a closure time of six hours, meaning participants must maintain at least a 13:45 per mile pace to finish within the allowed time.

Other distance options at the event include a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a one-mile fun run, all of which begin and end at the airport. Runners in these shorter races experience out-and-back courses with views of the White Tank Mountains. The marathon segment differs by starting away from the airport and proceeding to finish there, while the remaining distances are contained within the airport vicinity.

Course support includes chip timing for all events. The event typically takes place in cool winter months, often in January, which provides favorable running conditions in the Arizona desert climate. Organizers do not issue refunds, but options are available in advance for deferrals or switching to a virtual race if participants cannot attend. Proceeds from the event support the local Youth Scholarship Fund that provides recreational opportunities for children in the area.

The course’s downhill nature generally makes it less physically demanding in terms of climbing but can present unique challenges, such as increased impact on the legs during extended descents. The marathon is regarded as accessible to a wide range of runners, but participants should be prepared for possible exposure to sun and dry conditions typical of the region. Chip timing ensures accurate race results, and the event is typically staffed with volunteers and some limited on-course support, though runners should plan accordingly for personal hydration and nutritional needs.

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