TMC Saguaro National Park Labor Day Run
Monday, September 6, 2010 / 8 mile & new 5k
Description
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 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.
New Balance technical shirts to first 1,000 participants
Want to get ready for the race? Informal 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 and car pool if you can. Fast or slow, novice or advanced, come on out and practice the course!
After the race, receive free massages after the race courtesy of the Cortiva Institute. Post-race food courtesy of Sunflower Markets. Plenty of ice cold Muscle Milk at the finish line, with Oasis/Culligan water and XOOD energy drink at the finish line and out on the course. Last year, Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat attended, and this year we’re working out details for additional fun activities.
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, with XOOD at mile 4. Thanks to the Tri-Girls, Santa Rita High School, and Rincon High School for helping with the aid stations!
NEW 5k! 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.
Location
Saguaro National Park East at 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail Rd. Please note: The race is at Saguaro National Park EAST!
Race Fees
Entry fees include the $5 National Park entry fee (see below for details)
8 Mile Race – mail-in registration*
SAR member until 8/5/10 $20 _________
Non SAR member until 8/5/10 $25_________
All until 9/1/10 $30_________
All after 9/1/10 $35 _________
5k Run/Walk – mail-in registration*
Children under 12 are free with no t-shirt
All by 9/1/10 $15 _________
All after 9/1/10 $20 _________
*Children under 12 are free.
* Please note that 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 mail-in entry form. For information on an annual park pass go to www.nps.gov/sagu/. Park Service fee discount not available via online registration.
Registration
- Print Registration Form and mail it in. Registration by mail must be postmarked by Wednesday, September 1, 2010.
- Register online with a credit card at active.com.
- In-person registration and 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!
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
Official Hotel: JW Marriott at Starr Pass. The JW Marriott at Starr Pass is offering special event pricing of $129.00 plus 13.05% sales tax & $2.00 city tax. Whether as a staycation for Tucsonans or a fun way to enjoy the weekend for our out of town guests, consider staying at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Tucson Resort & Spa, a resort hotel that is rich with culture, history and beauty. Experience a truly unique destination resort complete with world class spa facilities and nationally acclaimed Arizona golf courses. Fine dining and award winning restaurants further complement this one of a kind Tucson resort hotel.
At first blush, this might seem like an odd choice for a race at Saguaro East– after all, the Starr Pass Marriott is on the opposite side of town, about 20 miles from the race start. But it’s an easy drive – head straight east for 16 miles on Starr Pass Blvd/22nd Avenue, then turn right on Old Spanish Trail for about 4 miles until you hit the race – it’s easy as pie. For driving directions, see http://new.mapquest.com/mq/3-n_7p.
For reservations, call 520-792-3500 and mention the Saguaro race. See www.jwmarriottstarrpass.com for more information on the resort.
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:
+ “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
+ $50 cash to the fastest male and female who equals or betters their age in time (+10 minutes for women)
+ Fun Run Awards: Modest awards to overall winners and first stroller
+ 8-mile Awards:
* Overall man and woman winner: Custom watch from master jeweler Craig Dabler valued at $300; a pair of New Balance shoes, courtesy of The Running Shop; and $100 cash on the barrelhead
* Master’s man and woman winner: New Balance shoes, courtesy of The Running Shop
* 1st place age-group winners receive special long-sleeve New Balance technical shirt
* 2nd place age group winners receive special New Balance tank tops
* 3rd place age group winners receive New Balance hats
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, as well as the SAR Children’s Fitness Fund.
Kids' and Post-Race Activities
Thanks to the Cortiva Institute, free massages are once again available to participants.
Community Partners
New 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
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).
