Sunrise at Old Tucson Cross Country Trail Run
Sunday, January 27, 2013 / 4 m & 1 m
Description
ALL RACE DAY DETAILS ARE POSTED ON THE SAR HOMEPAGE NEWS SECTION—CLICK HERE FOR ALL RACE DETAILS!
Saddle up, boys and girls!! Sunrise at Old Tucson is a 4-mile cross country trail run on the grounds of historic Old Tucson Studios, site of some of the greatest cowboy movies ever made.
Race day includes separate men’s and women’s races and a one-mile family walk/run, plus your registration includes a long-sleeve technical shirt, free breakfast, and free admission to Tucson’s best tourist destinations.
All registrants receive free entry to Old Tucson and free entry to the Wildlife Museum all day on Sunday—plus one free pass to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum when accompanied by a paid adult, good through May 31, 2013.
The coolest trail run in Arizona here at historic Old Tucson Studios: passing through the gates of an old frontier town, visitors are transported back to a time when fearless men with six shooters ruled the Old West. Dash down the streets of Hollywood’s most famous films and walk in the footsteps of movie legends like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Sharon Stone, and hundreds more. In addition to its historic role as film location, Old Tucson includes a full array of live shows, thrilling stunts, Old West dramas, saloon musicals, and horseback trail rides—fun for the whole family.
* The 4-milers are part of SAR’s 2013 Running Shop Grand Prix.
* Every registrant eligible for raffle prizes given by Old Tucson, The Running Shop, and the John Wayne Cancer Foundation
* Every registrant receives free t-shirt, free trailside breakfast, and free entry into Old Tucson, with discounts for friends and family. Additional breakfast passes are $6.50.
* Please note: friends and family are allowed in Old Tucson during the event up until race end; to stay in town after the park opens, additional guest passes to Old Tucson are a discounted $8 per person and must be purchased by the runner at the park entrance beginning at 9:45am. A participant wearing a race wristband must be present to take advantage of this special race entrance rate.
* Discount hotel accommodations at one of the area’s top resorts, JW Starr Pass Marriott. Click here for hotel registration details.
The Races
* Men’s Four-Miler starts at 8:15 am
* Women’s Four-Miler starts at 9:15 am
* One Mile Walk/Fun Run starts at 9:15 am
* Awards and Free Lil’ Pardner’s Fun Run starts at about 10:00
The starting line for all races is on Main Street in Old Tucson, adjacent to the Palace Hotel. It is the same course as the past few years: a mile+ loop through town, then out to the horse trails and dirt roads for 2 miles, then one more mile loop through town ending at the Bitter Creek set, near Sound Stage 2. The One Mile run/walk is a single loop through town, ending at the Bitter Creek set, near Sound Stage 2.
Prizes and Raffles
Race winners receive prizes from The Running Shop, with overall and age group awards. All youngsters in the Lil’ Pardners Kids Dash will receive either a sheriff badge or bandana courtesy of Old Tucson.
Sponsors and Volunteers
Thanks to Tucson Medical Center, The Running Shop, Primavera Online Schools, Caliente and the Arizona Daily Star, Cox Communications, The Desert Museum, the Wildlife Museum, and Old Tucson. Thanks to new media partner, K-Hit 107.5 for rockin’ with the runners!
Thanks to the Sahuaro High School cross country team, Tucson Tri-Girls, and The Workout Group for providing volunteers.
See Coley Ward’s Daily Star article , including an Old Tucson trivia test.
Date and Time
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Race Distances and Courses
The cross country trail race loops throughout the dusty streets, horse trails, and desert terrain of Old Tucson Studios, site of some of the greatest movies of all time. The 1 mile is designed to promote daily exercise, so bring the whole family along! Adults, cowboy costumes, children, and strollers are all welcome! PLUS: free Lil’ Pardners kids race afterwards, with sheriff badges or bandanas for each youngster . . .
Location
Old Tucson Studios, 201 South Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85735 (Take Speedway from I-10 all the way west, turn south on Kinney and Old Tucson Studios is just ahead—or Take Ajo west from I-10 to Kinney Road and head north. Plenty of parking in the main lots at Old Tucson Studios.
Race Fees
4 Mile Trail Run
SAR member until 1/1/13 $18
Non-SAR member until 1/1/13 $20
All 1/1/13 - 1/20/13 $25
All after 1/20/13 $30
One Mile Walk and Run
All by 1/1/13 $15
All after 1/1/13 $20
NOTE: Kids 10 and under are free, without a t-shirt
Remember: the race will take place rain or shine, with no refunds or returns.
Registration
- Print Registration Form and mail it in. Registration by mail must be postmarked by Monday, January 21, 2013.
- Register online with a credit card at active.com.
- Packet pick-up and additional registration is on Saturday, January 26 at the Running Shop from 10-2 (3055 N Campbell Ave). Race day registration & packet pick-up is available at Old Tucson Studios, Sunday, January 27 7:00-8:00 AM. Remember: the men's race starts at 8:00, so men's registration ends at 7:45. Remember: the race will take place rain or shine, with no refunds or returns.
- Race day registration & packet pick-up is available at Old Tucson Studios, Sunday, January 27 7:00-8:00 AM. Remember: the race will take place rain or shine, with no refunds or returns.
Race Hotels
2013 Official Hotel: J.W. Marriott at Starr Pass. The J.W. Marriott at Starr Pass is offering special event pricing for Sunrise registrants. Whether as a staycation for Tucsonans or a fun way to enjoy the weekend for our out of town guests, consider staying at the J.W. 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.
Click here for registration details.
Awards
Race awards from The Running Shop, including overall winners and top three in each 5-year age group.
Kids' and Post-Race Activities
12 Tips for Trail Racing, by Randy Accetta
Cross country: natural, earthy, primordial. Narrow, wooded trails, sweeping grass fields —or in Tucson’s case, harsh desert terrain, cactus, sandy washes, and rattlesnakes. There’s no water stop here, no lining up by your estimated mile pace. No stadium-size crowds. Just you, the ground, and your competitors. Here are a dozen quick tips for cross country racing.
1. Know the course: You need to know the terrain so check for single track and sandy washes, for hills and other key landmarks. Especially here in Tucson, be careful about cactus and rocks. Most of our trail races are pretty rugged locations, so be nimble and keep an eye on where you put your feet. If possible, jog the course ahead of time so that you can cut the tangents and stay on track.
2. Elbows out at the start: At the start, protect yourself by angling your elbows outward, so that you create space between you and other runners. Don’t knock over the grandmother next to you, but don’t be afraid to be aggressive.
3. Be patient: Unless the course is so narrow that you will never be able to move up during the race, it is best to start within yourself. If you get in oxygen debt too early, you’re in for a long, unhappy race, but an easier beginning will allow you to pass others with authority and surge when needed. Be willing to relax, be patient, and run within yourself.
4. Be aggressive on the hills: Once you’ve worked your way into the race, attack the course. Surge up short hills. Be patient during long hills, then surge at the crest of long hills. Work the downhills. If you find yourself discouraged while running uphill, remember that all things come to an end, and that this, too, will pass.
5. Pass with authority: Racing is a head game and you can break your competitors by running fast when they don’t expect you to and when they don’t want to. Throw in a burst of speed for 50-200 meters as you approach and go around corners. Surge at the crest of hills. Surge at the flat section at the bottom of a downhill. If you can dash past tired runners and quickly distance yourself from them, often they’ll be too discouraged to catch up.
6. Follow those who pass you: When someone passes you, don’t let them gap you. Sticking with them may = give you a burst of positive psychological energy that allows you to maintain the quicker pace – plus, they may lose enthusiasm if they know you’re determined to keep the pace.
7. Relax: You cannot expect yourself to sprint the whole race, so be willing to relax and be patient during parts of the race. Be willing to sit in the pack and let the miles slide by until it’s time to be aggressive
8. Cover the break: When a group breaks away from you, go with it—you don’t need to lead the break, but you must be willing to keep contact. Even if you are fatigued, maintaining contact with the group ahead of you will keep you motivated. When you recover from the surge, you will be well-positioned to advance further.
9. Think quick feet: You can speed up your running cadence by getting your feet down fast and bringing your heels around quickly. Cross country courses in particular force your body to adapt to varied terrain and quick feet will help you navigate treacherous sections of the course.
10. Think quick hands: Quick hands lead to quick feet, so use short, quick arm strokes to drive you forward. On uphills, lean into the hill and keep your hips forward. On downhills, lean down the hill and let gravity give you speed. Avoid wind-milling your arms and keep a normal, fast arm swing.
11. Accelerate around turns: Scampering out of sight is a good way to demoralize opponents and keep yourself aggressive.
12. Be tough: In every race save a few, you’ll reach the point where continuing at your pace seems impossible. Extreme weariness will set in: your legs will ache, your breathing will be labored, and your mind will urge you to back off and save yourself for later. However, if you wish to race well, you won’t give in to this seductive voice. Instead of backing off, you will push ahead, change your cadence, and run on. Regardless of the discomfort, you will soon recover—your breath will return, the aches will fade. Your pride will remain.
Adapted from “How to Run Fast and Beat Your Friends: Tactics and Strategies for Successful Racing,” by Randy Accetta in The Running Times Guide to Breakthrough Running. Ed: Gordon Bakoulis. 1999
Community Partners
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the International Wildlife Museum.
Race Weather
It’s been cold lately, but temperatures are forecasted to be as usual: about 50 degrees at daybreak with highs of 65-70 degrees F, clear skies, no rain, and no wind. Check out Tucson’s current conditions and forecast so you’ll be race-ready!
Results
2014 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 |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).