Duke City Marathon
Albuquerque's Big 5 Duke City Marathon offers a fast, certified course with desert charm.
Race Date
Oct 18, 2026
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Quick facts
- Date
- Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Location
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 26.2M, 10K, 5K run
- Course
- Point to Point
- Terrain
- Road
- USATF certified
- Yes
- Finishers on record
- 27,287
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
The Big 5 Duke City Marathon, a staple in New Mexico since 1984, draws runners from across the nation to experience its unique desert landscape. This USATF-certified course is designed for speed, boasting a net drop and minimal separation between start and finish, making it a prime candidate for personal bests. Runners can expect a growing field, with recent editions seeing around 1,010 finishers making the journey from approximately 30 states.
The race unfolds against the backdrop of Albuquerque's high-desert scenery. While the course is largely flat with minimal elevation change, the altitude is a factor to consider. The event has cultivated a loyal following, with about 21% of participants returning year after year, testament to its well-organized production and appealing race-day atmosphere. The typical winning time hovers around 67 minutes, indicating a competitive field that also welcomes those chasing their own goals on this fast-paced route.
Race-provided description
The Big 5 Duke City Marathon is New Mexico's premier racing event since 1984.
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Point to Point
Terrain
road
Scenery
Desert
Surface
Paved
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
0 m (Flat)
Separation
0.5%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
NM25010TCN · Duke City Half Marathon
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.
Quality Score
Runner Favorite8327 years running
~968 finishers a year
growing or steady
21% returning runners
USATF certified
runners from 30 states
winner 1:07:34
typical high 71°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
47°
Afternoon (High)
71°
Warm — hydration strategy is key, start conservatively
0.0"
Precipitation
12 mph
Wind
41%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 27,287 finishers actually crossed the line across 27 years.
Most recent
2025
Total finishers
27,287
Median time
2:13:06
Latest turnout
1,010
States
50
Turnout by year
2017–2025
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the Duke City Marathon?
The Duke City Marathon is held on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
Where does the Duke City Marathon take place?
It takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
What distances does the Duke City Marathon offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 26.2M, 10K, 5K run.
Is the Duke City Marathon course flat and good for a PR?
The Duke City Marathon is a ultra-flat, point to point course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.
How many people run the Duke City Marathon?
HalfRuns has finish records for 27,287 runners who have completed the Duke City Marathon.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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