BEYOND: Free SAR Social Runs
Saturday, January 7, 2012 /
Description
What is BEYOND?
The events of January 8, 2011 shook our community, affecting each of us deeply. It was a horrible day. But in the days and months afterward, our community came together in a way it never had before. We supported each other, leaned on each other, and generally looked out for one another. The sense of togetherness was tangible.
BEYOND is a community-wide event to commemorate the anniversary of January 8th, celebrate the spirit of togetherness we felt in the days and months afterward, and re-commit ourselves to working together to build a stronger community every day. BEYOND is the inaugural event of the Tucson Trails Tribute Fund.
As part of this commemorative effort, SAR is hosting three free running and walking events:
1) Saguaro National Park West, in partnership with the National Park Service
The National Park Service and the Southern Arizona Roadrunners will team up for a free, non-competitive five-mile social run on the roads of Saguaro National Park West. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are invited – but, please, no wheeled vehicles and no pets. The course will include rolling dirt roads, a bit of pavement, and plenty of gorgeous National Park scenery. The run will not be timed, but participants must register. Due to parking and trail usage concerns, this free event is limited to 400 participants. See route map in photo to right.
Start time: 8:00 am
Register online for Saguaro West here.
Location: 2700 North Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ, 85745, United States—see map
Questions: Contact SAR liaison .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
2) Sabino Canyon, in partnership with the Tucson Trail Runners and the Coronado National Forest
Join us for free, non-competitive social run on the trails and roads of Sabino Canyon. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are invited but, please, no wheeled vehicles and no pets. The course will include rolling dirt roads, some pavement, trails, and beautiful Sabino Canyon scenery. The run will not be timed, but participants must register. Due to parking and trail usage concerns, this free event is limited to 200 participants.
Start time: 8:00 am
Register online for Sabino Canyon here.
To learn more about Sabino Canyon and for a map to the park please click here
Participants can choose between 3 recommended distances. The first turn-around point will be prior to the beginning of the wilderness trail and will result in close to a 4 mile round trip and consist of more pavement than dirt. The second option will be to continue up to Seven Falls along the Bear Canyon Trail. This is about 8 miles round trip. The third option will be to continue past Seven Falls and up out of Bear Canyon connecting to a few other trails and all the way back around to the top of the tram road in Sabino Canyon. This option is about 16.5 miles round trip. The last two options are only recommended for those will significant trail running or hiking experience. Maps will be available on site.
Please note that there will not be water or support out on the course past the first turn-around point. You must bring your own water and food and be responsible for your own safety. Please also note that there is wildlife in the canyon, including recent Mountain Lion sightings, so be cautious.
Refreshments will be waiting for you at the finish so come on out and enjoy the beauty of Sabino Canyon and celebrate all that is good in our community while remembering all that we lost.
Parking is free at Sabino Canyon for this special day but carpooling is strongly recommended as parking space is limited. Also, be sure to arrive early to allow ample time to park and sign-in.
Questions? Contact SAR liaison .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
3) PIMA Community College’s Festival of Democracy - 5K Run/Walk
In conjunction with PIMA Community College’s Festival of Democracy, join us for a free, non-competitive 5K trail run/walk starting at the track and field complex at Pima Community College West Campus. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are invited but, please, no wheeled vehicles and no pets. The run will not be timed, but participants must register. More information about all of the events happening at the West Campus, including a registration form for the free 5k, can be found at http://www.beyond-tucson.org/event/pima-community-colleges-festival-of-democracy/
Start time: 8:00 am
Register online for The Festival of Democracy 5K here.
Location: Pima Community College West Campus, Track and Field Complex, 2202 West Anklam
Questions: Contact SAR liaison .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Date and Time
What is BEYOND?
Who we are: The core of this coalition began in the weeks after the shootings. Initiated by members of Gabe Zimmerman’s extended family, the goal was to develop outreach programs to encourage community members to come out into our public lands in the Tucson area to strengthen our sense of community, to take advantage of the natural beauty that makes Tucson so special, and with the full awareness that getting out and active with others promotes physical and mental health.
We have now grown into a broad-based coalition of Southern Arizona groups and individuals, including family members of victims of January 8th; nonprofits supporting children and families; bicycling, hiking and running groups; environmental advocates; federal and state land management agencies; nonprofits celebrating Tucson and Southern Arizona; public health providers; and others.
We are all dedicated to honoring friends and loved ones injured and lost on January 8th, acknowledging how the events of January 8th have changed us, celebrating our community, and committing to building a better future together.
What we are doing: As the first anniversary of the shootings approached, we wanted to start an event that was consistent with our mission. We thought the day before the anniversary of the shootings would be an appropriate time to bring our community together in a positive way. Thus was born BEYOND: *Commemorate * Celebrate * Commit*.
BEYOND is a series of events on Saturday, January 7, 2012, taking place from sun up to sun down across Greater Tucson and Southern Arizona. On this first anniversary of the tragedy, there will be opportunities to walk, hike, run, stroll, be artistic, learn new skills, and generally come together as a community. BEYOND is a community-wide celebration of health, diversity, goodwill, and inclusiveness, and a great opportunity to celebrate our loved ones and this beautiful place we call home. This is a bittersweet series of events. On Sunday, January 8, other entities will sponsor more somber remembrances and reflections of those hurt and lost.
Why we are doing it:The Southern Arizona community’s response to January 8th showed our strength, our resilience, and our commitment to one another. It showed the love we have for this place and for the people who live here. BEYOND will help assure that Tucson is remembered for its response to the tragedy of January 8 and not the singular event.
The physical and mental health benefits of physical activity and mental engagement are well known. Engaging with others strengthens our sense of community and common purpose. This proactively promotes physical and behavioral health. The activities will be fun, positive, and engaging.
We hope BEYOND will motivate people from all walks of life to come together to celebrate us, to embrace the goodness and decency of our community, creating something good and lasting out of tragedy.
Race Distances and Courses
Location
Race Fees
These events are free.
Registration
- Register online with a credit card at active.com.
- All participants must register ahead of time. Registration is free. Register online for Saguaro West here. Register online for Sabino Canyon here.
Race Weather
Results
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).
