40! Can you believe it? The Saguaro National Park race is 40 years old . . . Wow! Think of all the miles everyone has done: an average of 500 runners, 8 miles at a time for 40 years – enough to get to the moon and back, at least!
This 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 great technical t-shirt, and all registrants will be eligible for exciting raffle prizes.
Post-course buffet courtesy of Sunflower Markets – a Tucson tradition!
Training runs start on Sunday, August 2, 2009 at 6:00 AM – come to the Saguaro East parking lot – bring money for the park pass, car pool if you can. Fast or slow, novice or advanced, come on out and practice the course!
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.
It has been suggested that in honor of Saguaro's long and illustrious history, we modify the course this year by going in a counter-clockwise direction. This means we'd start on the rolling hills, drop down the big ol' downhill at about 2 1/2 miles, then hit some pretty good hills the last mile and a half or so. What do you think? Check out the new SAR survey to weigh in on the debate.
As SAR board member Steve Felde says: "It's been 40 years, about time for a PR." But others say we shouldn’t mess with tradition – what do you say?
Click here to vote: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=xZvIlzSIVWtsJzbqoOYL_2fA_3d_3d
elevation image courtesy of www.topofusion.com
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.
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:
The Saguaro National Park 8-miler is part of SAR's 2008 Running Shop Desert Grand Prix.
Special recognitionThe 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 include the $5 National Park entry fee (see below for details)
8 Mile Race – mail-in registration
SAR Member by 8/31/09 $20 + $5 = $25
Non SAR Member by 8/1/09 $23 + $5 = $28
ALL after 8/31/09 $25 + $5 = $30
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 8/31/09 $10 + $5 = $15
SAR Member after 8/31/09 $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)
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 5, 2009 from 10am - 3pm.
Race day registration and packet pick-up will be available at the park entrance 5:15am-6:00am. Please arrive early enough to register on time!
The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection is an alliance of 35 local environmental and community organizations dedicated to achieving the long-term conservation of biological diversity and ecological function of the Sonoran Desert through comprehensive land-use planning in Pima County and the region. The Coalition utilizes outreach, education, advocacy, grassroots activism, and a variety of conservation planning activities to achieve the vision of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. More information on the Coalition's many projects can be found at www.sonorandesert.org. 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!
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 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 for the 2008 race have been posted.
Read the 2007 Race Report (pdf)
Results for earlier editions of the Saguaro Labor Day Run:
2007 | 2006 | 2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
1998 |
1997 |
1996
Contact Race Director or 520-991-0733.
