Race Info

The Duke City Marathon course starts at Mayor Kinney Civic Plaza in downtown Albuquerque. Harry Kinney was Albuquerque's mayor in 1984, and officially started the first Duke City Marathon together with the 15th Duke of Alburquerque (the original Spanish spelling), who traveled from Madrid, Spain, to be on hand for the inaugural event.

Since 1984, the Duke City Marathon has grown to hosting seven races:

• Marathon (RRCA West Regional Championship)
• Marathon Relay
• Mayor’s Team Challenge
• Half Marathon (2025 RRCA New Mexico State Championship)
• 10K Run
• 10K Walk
• 5K Run
• 5K Walk

Something for everyone!

Age Groups: 0-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+

Categories: Male, Female, Wheel Chair, Relay (Men's, Women's, Co-ed, Military, Law Enforcement, Pueblo)

Each Registration Includes: 2026 Commemorative Race Coin, New Dri-Release Moisture-Wicking Long Sleeve Shirt, 2025 Commemorative Race Coin, Finishers Medal (Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K Run, 10K Walk), Race Bib, Timing, Race Packet, Post Race Festival, Post Race Refreshments

There are NO refunds and it is not possible to transfer your registration to someone else. There is a $20 event transfer fee.

Packet Pickup

For anyone who registered by September 18, race packets will be available at the Big 5 Sporting Goods store at 2720 San Mateo Blvd. in Albuquerque. Hours are noon until 6pm, October 13-16 (the Tuesday thru Friday of race week).
If you are unable to pick your packet up during this time, or if you registered after September 18, it will be available at our Health & Fitness Expo.

Health and Fitness Expo

he 2026 Duke City Marathon Health & Fitness Expo is on Saturday, October 17 at the Albuquerque Convention Center - Hall 3 (401 2nd St NW). It is a FREE Expo that is open to the public. Dozens of Albuquerque and New Mexico based companies and groups will have booths with free giveaways, games, music, and lots of fun! It will be open from 9am - 6pm. The Expo also serves as the last time to pick up race packets, unless you paid for Race Day Packet Pick Up.

All city streets on the DCM course are closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, October 18th. Runners and walkers will run west on Central, followed by these directions: Turn left (S) on Laguna Turn left (E) on Kit Carson (which is the 5K turnaround). Turn right (S) on Alcalde Turn left (E) on Tingley Drive and access the Paseo del Norte Trail just East of the train tunnel. At this point, the 10K races turn east, while the Half Marathon, Relay Marathon and Marathon races turn west.

At mile 10, Marathoners and Relay Marathoners will turn right (E) towards the spectacular Sandia Mountains. After 3.1 miles you will make a U-turn and retrace your steps on the Paseo del Bosque Trail, back to the finish line at Civic Plaza.

Starting Line: 3rd Street and Tijeras – All Events

Finish Line: 3rd Street, between Tijeras and Marquette – All Events

🏁 Start & Finish at Civic Plaza in the center of downtown.
✨ Cruise along Historic Route 66.
🌳 Enjoy the scenic Paseo del Bosque Trail beside the Rio Grande River.
🏘️ Pass through the charming Village of Los Ranchos.
📸 Experience the culture and history of Old Town Albuquerque.

This is more than a race — it’s a tour of Albuquerque’s most iconic landmarks, wrapped into one unforgettable 26.2-mile experience.

Download The Race Maps

2026 Full Marathon Map (PDF)

2026 Half Marathon Map (PDF)

2026 10K Map (PDF)

2026 5K Map (PDF)

Relay Transition Points

Download the Relay Instructions (PDF)

START TIME AND PLACE: 7:00AM; 3RD STREET AND TIJERAS AT CIVIC PLAZA (DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE)

• Leg 1 – 6.2 Miles: From Starting Line, follow Marathon Course to transition area #1 - Parking area at Campbell Road and Paseo del Bosque Trail (past Mile Marker 6).
• Leg 2 - 5.8 Miles: From transition area #1 at Trail at Campbell Road, follow Marathon Course to transition area #2 - Parking Lot in Alameda Open Space (by Mile Marker 12).
• Leg 3 – 4.2 Miles: From transition area #2, follow Marathon course to 7201 Rio Grande Blvd. Park along Rio Grande Blvd. (past Mile Marker 16).
• Leg 4 - 5.0 Miles: From transition area #3, follow Marathon Course to transition area #4 - Parking Lot at Gabaldon Place and Paseo del Bosque Trail (by Mile Markers 21 and 5).
• Leg 5 – 5.0 Miles: From transition #4, follow Marathon course to Finish Line at 3rd and Tijeras.

Directions to Transition Area #1: For the second Runner: From Civic Plaza, go north to Lomas Blvd; turn left (West) on Lomas Blvd to Rio Grande Blvd; turn North on Rio Grande to Campbell Road; turn left (West) on Campbell Road and drive all the way down. Parking is at the end of the road, which is where the Paseo del Bosque Trail is located.

Transition Zones: Each transition area is divided into two transition zones. At transition area #1, if you are running the 2nd leg, your transition zone will be to the left (or South) of the access point off of Campbell Road. If you are running the 5th leg, your transition zone will be to the right (or North). Please look for the cones designating these areas. There will also be individuals on site to assist you in making sure you are in the correct area. Please keep to the right side of the trail allowing other runners to get through. Timing Chips and Race Bibs: Timing chips are attached to one bib; be sure the LAST runner wears it. Do not remove chip. Each team member must wear a bib (race number) attached to the front of the shirt.

Portable Toilets: At Start/Finish Line and at Transition Areas.