Course Map
Route based on 2025 course — may differ slightly from this year.
About this Race
The Duke City Marathon is Albuquerque's flagship road race, run at over 1,500 meters of altitude along the Rio Grande and the leafy bosque trail through the New Mexico city. The terrain is largely flat, but the thin high-desert air quietly slows every pace and is the defining challenge. Held in autumn, it offers cool, dry conditions and the scenic appeal of the river corridor. The altitude rather than any climb is the true adversary, rewarding patient effort. It suits runners who want a flat-profile course at elevation and a taste of the high desert over a sea-level personal best.
Course Insight
Duke City runs along the Rio Grande at around 1,500 metres, where Albuquerque's altitude is the defining feature, thinning the air enough to tax a sea-level plan. Run by effort rather than fixed splits and go out deliberately easy. The bosque setting along the river is scenic and shaded. October conditions are otherwise pleasant. Respect the thin air early and the mostly gentle terrain stays manageable.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to very flat, meaningful altitude.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 37m
- Elevation loss
- 41m
- Highest point
- 1525m
- Lowest point
- 1509m
- Net elevation
- -4m
- Start
- 3rd St & Tijeras, Civic Plaza, Downtown Albuquerque
- Cutoff time
- 6h 30m
Race History
The Duke City Marathon was established in the 1980s as Albuquerque's flagship road race, run at over 1,500 metres along the Rio Grande and the leafy bosque trail. The thin high-desert air, rather than any climb, defined it as a genuine challenge. From its founding it grew into New Mexico's signature marathon. Held each autumn, it draws a field to the high-desert city.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
- Best area to stay
- Downtown for proximity to the route, Old Town for atmospheric, characterful stays, and Nob Hill for trendy, value options.
- Getting to the start
- The course is often point-to-point along the river; take the official shuttle or arrange transport to that year's start.