Traffic Notice
Garmin Marathon Tucson 2026
We want to help you plan ahead. On Sunday, November 8, 2026, Tucson welcomes the Garmin Marathon — and we want to make sure you have everything you need to navigate the weekend with ease.
Event Overview
What to Expect This Weekend
All course distances start and finish in the heart of downtown Tucson. Full marathoners, half marathoners, and 10K runners begin at 6:30 a.m., with 5K participants following at 6:50 a.m. Almost all race activity, including traffic restrictions, is expected to be concluded by 1:30 p.m. — with the Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K wrapping up by 11:30 a.m.
Start & Finish
Downtown Start/Finish Line
The races will begin downtown at the Start/Finish Line on Cushing Street and Convent Avenue. The routes begin in downtown Tucson and then head west into the heart of our community and the Tucson Mountains before turning north to Speedway and then heading east past the University of Arizona to Alvernon Way, south to Reid Park, and then west again to return to our downtown.
Race Schedule
Start Times
6:30 AM
Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K
Full, half, and 10K runners take off from the downtown Start/Finish Line
6:50 AM
5K
5K participants follow shortly after
11:30 AM
Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Conclude
Shorter races expected to wrap up
1:30 PM
All Race Activity Concludes
Almost all race activity, including traffic restrictions, expected to be concluded
Race Routes
The Courses
All races will be run on City of Tucson and Pima County roads. The Half Marathon and 10K also cross and utilize a section of The Chuck Huckelberry Loop along the Santa Cruz River.
Full Marathon — 26.2 mi
Downtown → Tucson Mountains → Speedway → University of Arizona → Alvernon Way → Reid Park → Downtown
View PDF Map
Half Marathon — 13.1 mi
Includes a section of The Chuck Huckelberry Loop along the Santa Cruz River
View PDF Map
10K — 6.2 mi
Also utilizes The Chuck Huckelberry Loop along the Santa Cruz River
View PDF Map
5K — 3.1 mi
The shortest course, starting 20 minutes after the main field
View PDF Map
Road Closures & Traffic
How Traffic Will Be Affected
Lane & Intersection Closures
The races do not require full road closures, except for the finish/start location downtown, but will require lane closures and temporary intersection closures in much of the race area where drivers will need to use caution and follow all signage, traffic safety devices, and the directions of public safety personnel to allow racing participants safe travel along the race routes.
Business Access
Business ingress and egress along the race courses will not be limited, but drivers will need to use caution and obey all signage and directions from public safety personnel during the race hours.
Route Maps
Click on any of the course maps above to open a zoomable PDF of the route to see how long restrictions may be in place for where you live or where you may need to travel. Drivers in the race area are encouraged to plan ahead and give themselves a little more time to get to their destination, or delay their activities until racers can clear the area and restrictions are lifted.
Safety & Enforcement
Public Safety on Course
The Tucson Police Department, Pima County Sheriff's Department, and University of Arizona Police Department will be providing point control and overseeing traffic and race safety during the event. Please follow all signage and directions from public safety personnel.
Tucson Police Department
Pima County Sheriff's Department
University of Arizona Police Department