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The PF Changs Rock'N'Roll Arizona Marathon has been growing in popularity for years and is a terrific event. Unfortunately, the route it takes isn't particularly well planned. It needlessly interrupts Light Rail service and it doesn't show off our fair Desert Metropolis from its best angles.

I've attached an image of what I think would be a better route:

* Start at the State Capitol where races and parades in PHX traditionally began. Go Down Washington St into Downtown and up:

* Central Ave. Central is our "Main Street" and the marathon ought to be on it, not the less photogenic 7th Avenue. Downtown, Midtown and Uptown would look great with the runners going through.

* East on Glendale Ave. This takes the marathon into N. Central PHX by some beautiful homes and buildings, with great views of Piestawa Peak & the PHX Mountains

* SE on the Arizona Canal. Our canals define PHX and make it possible for us to live here. Having the marathon go along the canals would be a wonderful thing, plus it means less road closures!

The additional benefit of having the canals used for the marathon is that it may promote more "Canal-scapes", and beautifying the canals.

*South on Scottsdale Rd into Downtown Scottsdale. The route could jog around a bit to show off Old Town as well.

* South on 64th St/Galvin Parkway through Papago Park

* Mill Avenue bridge over Tempe Town Lake into Downtown Tempe

* East on University and then North towards Sun Devil Stadium. The race could finish inside Sun Devil Stadium, much like "Pats Run"

Cities with more famous Marathons do a better job of using the marathon route to show off their Cities best features, we ought to be doing the same.