The annual Buckeye Marathon will take place on Saturday, Jan. 11, offering a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1-mile fun run. The marathon is a certified Boston Qualifier, drawing competitive runners from across the region.

The race will start in Sun City Festival, pass around the scenic White Tank Mountains, and finish at Buckeye Municipal Airport. The shorter races will also begin and end at the airport, providing runners with beautiful mountain views.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the City of Buckeye Youth Scholarship Fund, which helps provide children with opportunities to engage in recreational activities.

For those who can’t attend in person, a Virtual Race to the Runway option is available. Virtual participants can run at their own pace and location and will receive a medal and shirt upon completing their race.

All participants will receive a custom event medal and a dri-fit tech shirt. Age group awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each race category—marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K. A pre- and post-race runner’s brunch with snacks and drinks will be available for all participants.

The event will be chip-timed, with real-time results and photos available through a mobile app, allowing participants to track their performance throughout the day.

With race day temperatures expected to be around 65 degrees, it’s important for runners to stay properly hydrated. Sports and exercise physician Dr. Peter Bruckner has provided hydration guidelines based on finish times and gender.
Runners should drink at least 35 oz of water before starting the race to help minimize the need for hydration during the run. Bruckner also advises using the event’s water stop points, which are crucial for maintaining the balance of salt and water in the body, helping to prevent muscle cramps, nausea, and dizziness.

Here are Bruckner’s recommended water intake amounts for both men and women, based on marathon finish times:

Women’s Water Requirements:

• 5:30 marathon time: 178 oz
• 5:00 marathon time: 170 oz
• 4:30 marathon time: 161 oz
• 4:00 marathon time: 153 oz
• 3:30 marathon time: 144 oz
• 3:00 marathon time: 135 oz
• 2:30 marathon time: 127 oz

Men’s Water Requirements:

• 5:30 marathon time: 200 oz
• 5:00 marathon time: 190 oz
• 4:30 marathon time: 182 oz
• 4:00 marathon time: 174 oz
• 3:30 marathon time: 165 oz
• 3:00 marathon time: 157 oz
• 2:30 marathon time: 149 oz

Dr. Bruckner recommends runners not drink more than 25 oz of water per hour while running to avoid overhydration, which can lead to vomiting and further dehydration. After the race, he advises consuming water slowly and steadily to maintain balance.

Race-day registration will be available for the following fees:

• Marathon: $110
• Half Marathon: $80
• 10K: $65
• 5K: $50
• 1-Mile Fun Run: $30

Marathon participants should park at the Sun City Festival Baseball Field, where shuttles will be available to return runners to their vehicles after the race. The marathon has a 6-hour time limit, and the half marathon has a 5-hour cutoff. 

For more information and to register, visit the official event website at buckeyeaz.gov.