United Supermarkets Lubbock Marathon

Lubbock, United States · October · Independent

2.5

Below par

overall, out of 5

Bottom 5%#251 of 263

Ahead of 4% of the 263 races.

2345

Each bar is a range of 0.25 points; green holds this race. The average race scores 3.4.

What does this score mean?

Based on 3 reviews and 8 runner ratings. Treat this score as provisional. Why

What held it back

Held back by race (1.5) and support (2.2). See the breakdown below.

Best for

Is it right for you?

First timer: 3.3 Doable
PR potential: 4.0 Fast
Flat course: 4.9 Pancake flat
Getting in: 4.5 Open entry
Crowds: 2.3 Sparse

Ultra-flat loop with 0 m (0 ft) net gain
Results unposted for 1 to 3 months for some 2024 and 2025 runners

Race
1.5
Course
3.0
Support
2.2
Conditions
2.6
Stay and travel
3.1
Entry
3.5

Every score is out of 5, and 5 is always the better end.

Pick up to 3 races to compare side by side

Why people love it

Ultra-flat loop with 0 m (0 ft) net gain
Downtown start in the Depot District, walkable from hotels
Course passes the Canyon Lakes and the Texas Tech campus
Road closures from 5 a.m. to about 3 p.m., per local TV

Watch out for

Results unposted for 1 to 3 months for some 2024 and 2025 runners
Average wind about 26 km (16.2 mi)/h (16 mph) on open plains
Highs near 24 °C (76 °F) by the finish in late October
Reviewers report few volunteers, thin crowds, no time clock and basic swag

Race

1.5Below par

How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.

Toughness: Moderate

Racer satisfactionLiked3.0
RaceEntry shows four reviews from 0.5 to 5 out of 5; RaceRaves shows 3.3 from 4 ratings. Flat course praised; results and volunteer numbers faulted. · Low confidence
OrganizationShaky2.4
Two reviewers report results unposted for 1 to 3 months. A 2025 local runner saw few volunteers and no time clock. Others found organisers helpful. · Low confidence
First timer friendlyDoable3.3
Ultra-flat loop with a larger half and a small marathon. Organisers called helpful, but results problems reported. Cutoff not found. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

PR potentialFast4.0
Ultra-flat with 0 m (0 ft) gain, but average wind of 26 km (16.2 mi)/h (16 mph) and warm afternoons hold times back. · Low confidence

Course

3.0Good

Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.

Course sceneryPleasant3.0
Canyon Lakes system, Texas Tech campus and neighbourhoods, per a 2023 KCBD preview. Pleasant rather than spectacular. · Low confidence
Room to runRoomy3.6
Loop where the half marathon shares roads. A 2024 reviewer rated the course 5 out of 5. · Low confidence
Road surfaceGood3.5
City streets and park paths; no complaints found. Detail thin. · Low confidence
Road closuresMostly closed3.7
Local TV reports closures from 5 a.m. to about 3 p.m. No runner has confirmed how well they were kept. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

Course flatnessPancake flat4.9
HalfRuns lists 0 m (0 ft) of gain and calls it ultra-flat. Lubbock sits on the flat South Plains. · Medium confidence
Net downhillEven3.0
Loop, net 0 m (0 ft). USATF certified; Boston qualifier assumed, no net drop. · Low confidence

Support

2.2Below par

Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.

Start logisticsSmooth3.7
Downtown start near Crickets Avenue; a visiting runner stayed downtown and walked. Road closures managed. · Low confidence
Pacers and timingSome pace groups2.6
Reviewers report no timing mats along the route and, in 2025, no time clock. No pace groups found. · Low confidence
Crowd supportSparse2.3
A 2024 reviewer asked for bands and entertainment. Reports describe a small-city race with thin crowds outside downtown. · Low confidence
Aid stationsStandard2.7
Reviewers asked for more route support. One local noted few volunteers in 2025. · Low confidence

Conditions

2.6Good

Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.

WindWindy2.2
Weather history lists average wind of 26 km (16.2 mi)/h (16 mph) on the open South Plains. · Low confidence
Air temperatureWarm or cool3.1
Late October 8:00 start. Five-year average low 12 °C (54 °F) and high 24 °C (76 °F), so a cool start and warm finish. · Low confidence
Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
West Texas fall: mostly dry, low rainfall of 2.5 mm (0.1 in), but heat can spike. · Low confidence
Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.0
Loop through the downtown, Canyon Lakes and campus lets friends cut across, but few reports. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

Low altitudeModerate3.1
Lubbock sits about 990 m (3,250 ft) above sea level. · Medium confidence

Stay and travel

3.1Good

Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.

Hotel availabilityGood3.8
Large city with many chain hotels near downtown and Texas Tech. · Low confidence
Hotel valueGood3.8
Lubbock hotel prices are moderate; a visitor stayed downtown. · Low confidence
WalkabilityWalkable3.5
A visiting runner stayed in a downtown hotel and walked to the start. · Low confidence
Travel easeOne connection3.4
Lubbock Preston Smith International (LBB) is about 8 km (5 mi) from downtown; mostly connecting flights. · Low confidence
LogisticsSome complexity2.8
A 2024 reviewer wanted a pre-race expo with vendors. Start area compact downtown. · Low confidence
Town and foodFine3.4
College town with Texas Tech, the Buddy Holly Plaza and a Depot District food scene. · Low confidence

Entry

3.5Very good

How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.

Getting inOpen entry4.5
Open entry via RunSignup; field is small. · Low confidence
Value for moneyFair2.8
Reviewers asked for better swag and some never received results or certificates. One praised the medal. Fee not found. · Low confidence

Key facts

Location: Lubbock, Lubbock County, United States
Typical month: October
Latest or next date: 25 October 2026
Organiser: Independent
Distances: 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
Course type: loop
Climbing: 0 m (0 ft)
Descent: 0 m (0 ft)
Start time: 08:00
Boston qualifier: Yes
Surface: Paved city roads and park paths
How to get in: open
Sells out: Rarely
Air temperature: 12–24 °C (54–75 °F)
Humidity: 52 percent average (HalfRuns, 5-year)
Altitude: 990 m (3,250 ft)
Nearest airport: Lubbock Preston Smith International (LBB), 8 km (5 mi) away
Where to stay: Downtown Lubbock, Depot District
Booking: Downtown hotels are walkable to the start.

Official race website (lbkmarathon.com)

What racers and reviewers say

RaceEntry Lubbock Marathon reviewsRaced 2024 · aggregator · Mixed
Four reviews, 2024 to 2025: scores 5, 3, 1.5 and 0.5 out of 5. Everyone liked the flat course. Complaints centre on results unposted for months, no time clock, few volunteers and weak swag. One visitor loved the small friendly race.
“the organizers are super helpful”
Shawna W., J. M. L., Whitney H., K G.
RaceRaves Lubbock MarathonRaced 2025 · aggregator · Mixed
3.3 out of 5 from 4 ratings. No written details readable on the page.
KCBD preview, Lubbock MarathonRaced 2023 · article · neutral
Local TV preview describing the downtown start, Canyon Lake system and Texas Tech route, 8:00 start and road closures from 5 a.m.

Raced United Supermarkets Lubbock Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.

Sources

Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.

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