Saguaro National Park Labor Day Run
Monday, September 6, 2010 / 8 mile & 2 mile
Description
On Labor Day Monday, September 6, 2010. 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.
Post-course buffet courtesy of Sunflower Markets - a Tucson tradition!
Training runs start on Sunday, August 1, 2010 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!
Date and Time
Race Start: 6:30 a.m.
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.
Location
Race Location information.
Race Fees
Entry fees include the $5 National Park entry fee (see below for details)
8 Mile Race
SAR Member by 8/27/10 $20 + $5 = $25
Non SAR Member by 8/27/10 $23 + $5 = $28
ALL after 8/27/10 $25 + $5 = $30
2 Mile Run/Walk *
All by 8/27/10 $10 + $5 = $15
All after 8/27/08 $15 + $5 = $20
*Children under 12 are free and will receive a special Children’s Running Brigade shirt (as available)
Registration
- In-person registration and early registration packet pick-up will be held at The Running Shop (3055 N Campbell - map) on Saturday, September 4, 2010 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!
Special Recognition
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.
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.
Awards
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. “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
2. Top man and woman will receive a custom watch from master jeweler Craig Dabler, valued at $300
3. $50 cash to the fastest male and female who equals or betters their age in time (+10 minutes for women)
4. Other preems and prizes as we figure ‘em out!
The Saguaro National Park 8-miler is part of SAR’s 2010 Running Shop Desert Grand Prix.
Beneficiaries
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.
Kids' and Post-Race Activities
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.
Race Weather
Race conditions 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
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).
