SAR Home
Registration
Results

---

Race Description

Celebrating its 39th running, the scenic course and post-race festivities truly embrace the spirit of the old Southwest, making the Saguaro National Park Labor Day Run a regional favorite. Our rolling 8-mile and 2-mile courses loop through a cactus forest in the foothills of the scenic Rincon Mountains at Saguaro National Park East. This event has been featured as a Runner’s World Race of the Month. The first 1,000 entrants will receive a race t-shirt, and all registrants are eligible for exciting raffle prizes.

Race Distances and Courses

8 miler and 2 mile family walk and run at Saguaro National Park East at 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail Rd.  The course is a challenging 8 mile loop with lots of rolling hills (course profile). Aid stations at approximately 2, 4, 6, and 7 miles provide plenty of relief with Oasis water.      

A family-friendly 2-mile, out and back, flatter course is also available. Strollers are allowed in the 2M Fun Run/Walk only, but please, no bicycles, wheelchairs, skateboards, strollers, roller-skates, or pets allowed in the 8-miler. The 8M course closes at 8:30 a.m.

Post-Race Activities

Climbing wall, food, drink, music, and other fun activities.  Plus, a children's Park Service program is offered to the public. The children will hike the Freeman Homestead trail and with a Park Naturalist. Due to limited space on the hike, please call Saguaro National Park Visitor Center (733-5153) for details and to make reservations.

New Awards & Raffle Structure

Not only are all participants eligible for a host of raffle awards to be handed out at the awards ceremony after the race, but we’ve added a few new awards – we’re still modifying these, so expect some changes, though:

1. Pre-registered participants will be entered into a raffle for prizes to be given out at the starting line
2. “Glad to Finish Award”: a random drawing from the last five finishers in both the 2-miler and the 8-miler will receive a gift certificate to the Running Shop
3. The 200th woman to pass the 5-mile mark will receive a custom watch from master jeweler Craig Dabler (520-322-0187), valued at $300
4. $50 cash to the fastest male and female who equals or betters their age in time (+10 minutes for women)
5. Special “15th Anniversary Glory Days” Time Award: Run faster than the race director -- to encourage Arizona racing, a new cash prize will be awarded to the top Arizona man and top Arizona woman who can beat the best time recorded by the race director in the 1993 edition of the race.  You must have a valid Arizona driver’s license on hand at the awards ceremony to receive the prize:
• Fastest man under 42:39 will win $428.28
• Fastest woman under 48:39 will win $482.39

The Saguaro National Park 8-miler is part of SAR's 2008 Running Shop Desert Grand Prix.

Special recognition

The Spirit of Rob Bell Award recognizing the Tucson-area runner most exhibiting Rob Bell’s enthusiasm for running will be awarded at the starting line before the race.

Entry Fees

Entry fees include the $5 National Park entry fee (see below for details)

8 Mile Race – mail-in registration
SAR Member by 7/1/08: $15 + $5 = $20
SAR Member by 8/22/08 $25 + $5 = $30
Non SAR Member by 8/22/08: $27 + $5 = $32
ALL after 8/22/08: $35 + $5 = $40

2 Mile Run/Walk – mail-in registration*
*Children under 12 are free and will receive a special Children’s Running Brigade shirt (as available)

SAR Member by 8/22/08: $10 + $5 = $15
SAR Member after 8/22/08: $12 + $5 = $17
All after 8/22/08:$15 + $5 = $20

*Children under 12 are free and will receive a special Children’s Running Brigade shirt (as available)

Registration

Print out a registration form and mail it in. Registration by mail must be postmarked by August 22.

Online registration with a credit card is available.

In-person registration and early registration packet pick-up will be held at The Running Shop (3055 N Campbell - map) on Saturday, September 1 from 10am - 3pm.

Race day registration and packet pick-up will be available at the park entrance 5:15am-6:00am. Teams cannot register on race day. Please arrive early enough to register on time!

Charities

A portion of race proceeds will benefit various organizations, including the local non-profit, Watershed Management Group. Watershed Management Group works to improve rural and urban livelihoods by integrating community development and conservation. They provide local residents and community groups with the knowledge and skills necessary to sustainably manage their natural resources. Other beneficiaries include the cross country programs of Santa Rita and Rincon High Schools.

Parking

Park along Old Spanish Trail & Freeman Road. Please don’t block driveways or bike paths. Carpooling is strongly recommended. The earlier you arrive, the shorter your warm-up jog!

Park Fee

The National Park Service has been gracious about allowing us access to the beautiful park. The Park Service asks that all participants pay the standard $5 entry fee to the park. This amount will go directly to the National Parks Service. If you buy an annual pass to the national parks (or are under 16 years of age), this fee will be waived if you provide your permit number on your entry form. For information on an annual park pass, see visit this page, or visit any national park and inquire at entry. Race entry fees also include labor cost of additional park rangers required for the event.

Weather

Race conditions are typically 75 degrees or higher, humid, clear skies, and no wind. Check out Tucson's current conditions and forecast so you'll be prepared!

Results

Results for the 2007 race have been posted.

Read the 2007 Race Report (pdf).

Results for earlier editions of the Saguaro Labor Day Run:
2006| 2005| 2004| 2003| 2002| 2001| 2000| 1999| 1998| 1997| 1996

Contacts

Contact Race Director or 520-991-0733.