50th Annual Saguaro National Park Labor Day 8-Miler & 5k Walk/Run

July 1, 2020 Update: 2020 Event Postponed Until 2021

Due to ongoing safety concerns and policies related to the coronavirus pandemic, the Southern Arizona Roadrunners unfortunately has to postpone the Saguaro Labor Day Run until September, 2021.

While we would like to continue the 50 year tradition of an annual Saguaro Labor Day running race, this year it will not be possible. Laying aside our own concern about public safety, we have been working with the multiple permitting agencies to ensure that we can do the race.  We have even put forth a proposal for a virtual event, utilizing the National Park over a period of time with no event festivities.

Unfortunately, we cannot do the event.

At this writing, Pima County has not agreed to a permit -- but more importantly, the National Park Service is not in a position to permit the event, writing, "The landscape of Saguaro National Park is open including our trails and roads but we are not in a place where we can host a special event, even if it is virtual.  We do not have any public programs, our visitor centers and outreach programs remain closed, even our restrooms only have limited hours. So, we are going to decline the virtual Labor Day Run and look forward to the 2021 event." 

Thus, while we at SAR would like nothing more than to meet with all of our running friends and community partners to celebrate the beautiful regional landscape, unfortunately we are going to have to postpone the 50th Annual Saguaro Labor Day Run until Labor Day 2021.

What does this mean for you? First, registration for Saguaro has been closed so we are no longer accepting new registrations.

Second, if you have already registered, you have a few choices:

1) SAR can keep all current registrants on the registration roster, and simply defer your registration until the 2021 event so that you are guaranteed entry into what will undoubtedly be a popular 50th anniversary run on Labor Day Monday, 2021. If you would like to defer, you do not have to do anything. We'll simply keep you on the list!

2) If you would like your registration fee back, we can provide a race fee refund.

If you signed up online, simply email the SAR race director Randy Accetta at randy@runtucson.net. We will use the online registration portal to provide a refund of the race fee.

If you would like your registration fee back and you signed up by mailing a registration form and a check, please send a note to SAR at Box 64215, Tucson, AZ 85728. SAR's office manager and the SAR Treasurer will work together to manage the refunds. (Please be patient because this refund process will take some time for SAR to manage.)

If you have specific questions about these events, please contact me directly.

Thank you,

Randy Accetta, SAR Race Director

randy@runtucson.net

June 14, 2020 Update:  We are working with the multiple agencies that provide permits for the event.  As of this writing, Arizona is seeing a surge in the coronavirus and a corresponding stress on the healthcare system.  Accordingly, the Saguaro Labor Day Run has not been granted a permit for the Labor Day event.  

We are hopeful that we will be able to permit the event, but even if we do, we do not expect to be able to run the race the way it has taken place for the past 49 years.  In a best-case scenario, the race will be run in waves and the course will be unsupported, with no volunteer-managed water stations and no spectators allowed.  In a worst-case scenario we may simply have to cancel the event.  We will know more in the coming weeks and we'll keep the SAR running community informed.  Questions? Contact longtime race director Randy Accetta at randy@runtucson.net.

Race Day is Monday, September 7, 2020  - registration now open!

Join us as we celebrate the 50th birthday of this iconic Tucson event in 2020 -- our paved 8 mile loop will challenge you as you race among the rolling hills of the Saguaro Cactus Forest in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains.  The 5k Fun Run and Walk is an easier out-and-back, with the same gorgeous scenery  Old-timers will remember when this race was the Saguaro National Monument Run, and we're proud to be part of the National Park Service, an American treasure celebrating its 104th anniversary this year.  

We offer special thanks to our friends at Saguaro for allowing us to be one of the few races produced on National Park lands.  Park Ranger Steve Bolyard and Saguaro Chief Ranger Ray O’Neill have all provided above-and-beyond support for this race over the years.

Saguaro National Park EAST, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail Rd

5:15-6:00 AM Packet pick-up at Saguaro Park EAST: You can pick up your shirts and numbers at the SAR tents in the main parking lot near the Visitor’s Center. There is no race day registration, only number/shirt pick-up. 

Parking: There is no parking at the National Park -- please park safely on neighboring roads, following all signage and all Pima County traffic laws.  Do not block neighborhood driveways, do not park in the street, do not put other people in jeopardy.  Please car pool if at all possible.  Thank you. 
    
5:45 am Early start line-up time for 8-mile walkers and walk/runners. If you anticipate spending longer than 2 hours on the course, please start early. Note, early starters are not eligible for awards or Grand Prix points, except for age-groups 65+. It will be hot on race morning, so please make the safe choice.
 
6:15 8-milers can begin to line up at flagpole, 5k behind the 8-milers. In both races, please line up in order of your expected racing pace: 5-minutes/mile at the front; 6-minutes/mile behind them, and so forth.
 
6:15 A few words from the National Park Service
 
6:25 8-Mile Run start
  
6:30 5k Walk/run start

Post-race Refreshments: water, Gatorade, cold samples from Nekter Juice Bar, plus fruit, salty, and carbohydrat-y snack items
  
8:30 (approx) Begin Raffle Prizes and Race Awards, courtesy of The Running Shop

9:00 Official course closure -- for safety's sake, the National Park Service reserves the right to pick up any participants still on the course starting at 9:00 am. 

2019 race medal

Questions?  Email or call Randy Accetta, SAR race director at 520-991-0733