44th TMC Saguaro National Park Labor Day 8-Miler and 5k Walk/Run
Monday, September 2, 2013 / 8 mile & new 5k
Description
Labor Day Monday, September 1, 2013. This scenic course and post-race festivities truly embrace the spirit of the old Southwest, making the 44th Saguaro National Park Labor Day Run a regional favorite. Our rolling 8-mile and 5k 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. This race is part of The Running Shop Grand Prix, produced by SAR.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE RACE WILL BE CAPPED AT 1400 PARTICIPANTS IN 2013. 1100 in the 8-miler and 300 in the 5k. We sold out last year, so sign up early to reserve your spot!
Saguaro will be the second race in the 2013 Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown (including June’s TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k Night Run/Walk and October’s TMC Get Moving Tucson Half-Marathon and 5k). To register for the Triple Crown, visit the Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown page. Please note, $10 from each Triple Crown entry will be donated to Gabe’s favorite non-profit, Child and Family Resources. Additional Tucson-based organizations will receive a portion of the proceeds from the individual events.
To donate directly to Child and Family Resources, click here. To donate directly to the Gabe Zimmerman Memorial Fund established by Child and Family Resources, click here to go to their PayPal site.
Event Day Schedule
• 5:00-6:00 am Registration
• 6:20 Announce winner of the 2014 Spirit of Rob Bell Award
• 6:23 National Anthem
• 6:27 5k start
• 6:30 8-miler start
• 8:30 Kid’s Race
• 8:45 Begin Spirit of Rob Bell Award, Raffle Prizes, and Awards*
Miscellaneous
The race starting area will be crowded, so please line up according to expected pace per mile, with 5-minute milers at the front of the line.
No dogs are allowed, so please don’t bring the pooch! For safety sake, strollers are OK in the 5k, but not the 8-miler. Wheelchair athletes are welcome—but please no bikes, roller blades or anything else with wheels. Headphones are discouraged - if you must wear them, please leave one ear free for safety. Culligan has donated plenty of refreshing water, with aid stations at approximately 2, 4, 6, and 7 miles. Thanks to Sahuaro High School for handling 2, 4, and 6, and the Tucson Tri-Girls for handling the 7-mile mark and the 5k turn-around. St. Augustine High School Cross Country team will also be on the course, and we’ll also have the Ham Radio Society of Tucson on course, plus a dedicated ambulance from Rural Metro at the finish line. Thanks to Waste Management, we have more port-o-johns than ever before, including one around the 4 mile mark. Please do not use the desert to relieve yourself: the Park Service may fine you - and a snake may bite you!!
After the race, grab a free massage from the massage therapists at the Cortiva Institute, and visit with The Running Shop, the National Park Service, Friends of Saguaro National Park, and other event partners. In particular, please be sure to visit the Tucson Medical Center tent and snag some give-away plunder - TMC has become a leading sponsor of SAR events and their commitment to the health and wellness of our region is to be commended.
The Park Service will also have two areas to visit, so check them out - cool skulls, skins and other fun things. . . .
Interested in being a sponsor? We’re looking for course sponsors, t-shirt sponsors, and post-event sponsors. Join the healthiest community in Arizona!
Questions? Email or call .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), SAR race director at 520-991-0733
Date and Time
Race Start: 6:30 a.m.
Race Distances and Courses
8 miler and 5k 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 (see course profile in photo to right). Aid stations at approximately 2, 4, 6, and 7 miles provide plenty of relief with Oasis/Culligan water. Thanks to the Tri-Girls, Santa Rita High School, and Rincon High School for helping with the aid stations!
A family-friendly 5k, on an out-and-back flatter course is also available. Strollers are allowed in the 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.
IMPORTANT: Saguaro is known for its hilly course and hot temperatures—please prepare accordingly: practice hills, acclimate to the heat, bring water, wear cool clothing, and adjust your pace to account for the demands of the race.
Unofficial training runs will take place every Saturday in August. See the SAR homepage for more details during the summer.
Location
Saguaro National Park East at 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail Rd. Please note: The race is at Saguaro National Park EAST!
Race Fees
8 Mile Race* (NOTE: 8-mile race capped at 1,100)
SAR member by 4/30/13 $25_________
All by 6/30/13 $30_________
All by 7/31/13 $35_________
All after 8/28/13 $40 _________
5k Run/Walk * (NOTE: 5k capped at 300) Children under 10 are free with no t-shirt
All by 6/30/13 $25 _________
All after 7/31/13 $30 _________
No refunds: Please note that following industry standard there are no race refunds. Transfers: Registrants may transfer race entry to another person by August 15, provided the second participant submits a signed waiver. Of course, participants may still receive their t-shirt at packet pick-up.
Registration
- Print Registration Form and mail it in. Registration by mail must be postmarked by Tuesday, August 20, 2013.
- Register online with a credit card at active.com.
- In-person t-shirt and race number pick up will be held at The Running Shop (3055 N Campbell - map) on Saturday, August 31, 2013 from 10am - 3pm.
- Race day packet pick-up will be available at the park entrance 5:15am-6:00am. Please arrive early enough to get your shirt and your race number on time!
Additional Details
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. Presented by Performance Footwear. Click here for more information on the Rob Bell Award, including nomination information.
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.
Race Hotels
Tanque Verde Guest Ranch Looking for a place to spend Sunday night? Award-winning guest ranch, Tanque Verde Ranch, is offering all Saguaro participants a discounted week-end, single-night, or all-inclusive package. Contact LeighAnn at 520-731-5562.
Awards
The Saguaro National Park 8-miler is part of SAR’s 2013 Running Shop Desert Grand Prix.
Beneficiaries
In 2013, we’re partnering with Cox Charities to provide funds to the great folks at Friends of Saguaro National Park, who will receive a portion of race proceeds to help continue their great work of ensuring a healthy and spectacular National Park.
Other beneficiaries include the cross country programs of Sahuaro High School, as well as the SAR Children’s Fitness Fund.
This is the second race in the 2013 Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown (including the June 1 TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k Night Run/Walk and the October 20 TMC Get Moving Tucson Half-Marathon Event, including the A-Mountain Half-Marathon, the Tucson Lifestyle 5k and the Cox Charities One-Mile). To register for the Triple Crown, visit the Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown page. Please note, $10 from each Triple Crown entry will be donated to Gabe’s favorite non-profit, Child and Family Resources. Additional Tucson-based organizations will receive a portion of the proceeds from the individual events.
To donate directly to Child and Family Resources, click here. To donate directly to the Gabe Zimmerman Memorial Fund established by Child and Family Resources, click here to go to their PayPal site.
Kids' and Post-Race Activities
Thanks to the Cortiva Institute, free massages are once again available to participants.
Community Partners
Title Sponsor: Tucson Medical Center. A special thanks to Tucson Medical Center for all their support of the Southern Arizona Roadrunners and the local health and fitness community. Due to TMC’s financial contribution, we’re able to have technical shirts for participants and we’re able to donate more funds to SAR’s Children’s Fitness Fund and other beneficiaries of this race. Thanks TMC!! Check out their Girls on the Run program, coming soon!
Race Weather
Race conditions at start are typically 75 degrees or higher, humid, clear skies, and no wind.It gets hotter later in the day . . . check out Tucson’s current conditions and forecast so you’ll be prepared!
Results
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 |Contact
- Contact the Southern Arizona Roadrunners Hotline at (520) 326-9383 for more information.
- Race Director Randy Accetta: Call 520-991-0733 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).