TMC Arizona Distance Classic Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon and 5K

Quarter Marathon:Course Briefing

Course Directional Briefing: Quarter Marathoners

Many of you have seen the news item about the Women's National Half-Marathon Championships, where the top three women went off course in the last miles of the event.

To help us ensure that your race experience does not include such an unhappy circumstance, we've put together these detailed course directions.

The roadway will be marked with cones and arrows as needed.

The Quarter Marathon and the 5k will start at the same time, immediately after the last Half-Marathoner crosses the scaffolding area.

We expect to start at 7:05 am, though we may have a few minutes grace time as we arrange with the police and other course managing entities.

The Quarter Marathon and the 5k will both face North.

The start line will close 5 minutes after the start of the race.

You will run under the scaffolding, facing North.

The start will continue straight for approximately a quarter-mile, then you will turn left onto Rancho Vistoso.

Once you are on Rancho Vistoso, it is a straight shot to each of the turn-around markers.

It may be crowded, but do NOT go outside of the cones and do NOT veer into oncoming traffic.

Always stay to the right side of the running roadway if there are oncoming runners.

There will be a water stop at approximately 1.5 miles, near the 5k turnaround.

There will be another water stop at approximately 3.5 miles, near the Quarter turnaround near the Honey Bee Park.

You will turn around as directed by the signage at approximately 3.5 miles.

Volunteers will be on hand to direct you to turn around -- right to left, so that you are now running uphill on the inside of the roadway, curbside.

There will be a water stop available after the turn-around.

On your way back, stay to the right-hand side of the roadway -- that is, run to the inside, on the curb-lane. After the turn-around you will run facing your fellow Quarter Marathoners.

NEVER run outside the cones with your back to oncoming traffic.

Watch for other runners, including chair athletes.

As Quarter Marathoners reach the 5k turn-around there will be another water stop at approximately 1.5 miles to the finish.

This will be a crowded section of the course, with 5k participants, Quarter participants, and perhaps speedy Half-Marathoners catching up.

As you approach the end of the race, you will turn right from Rancho Vistoso onto Innovation. Follow the course south and run straight until you cross the finish line at the scaffolding.

You will find a water and aid station there, with all the race staging activities.