It's Event Time!
Here's Everything You Need to Know to Have Fun!
TMC Get Moving Tucson 15k, 5k, and FitKidz One Mile
Staged at BIOSPHERE 2
32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ
As always, we try to provide you with all the race information you need for an enjoyable weekend, so grab a drink and put on your reading glasses . . .
Due to changes at the SAR site, we have posted updates to the front page of the www.runtucson.net site, including a list of all 900 registrants and the updated schedule.
Table of Contents For Rest of Email
1) Race Weekend Schedule
2) Public Health Update
3) Miscellaneous Items: discounted hotel, hydration, snacks, etc
4) Directions to Biosphere 2 from Tucson and from Phoenix
5) Course Maps + New Photos + New Details on the Course
6) Sponsors and Beneficiaries
7) Awards and Prize Money
OK -- if you still have questions after reading, feel free to email or ask at registration.
randy@runtucson.net | tia@runtucson.net | info@runtucson.net
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Schedule for TMC Get Moving Tucson |
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Saturday, October 23, Registration and Packet Pickup
10:00 am - 1:00 pm, at The Running Shop, 3055 North Campbell Ave
All shirts and race bib numbers will be inside the Running Shop.
Yes: You can pick up items for friends -- please limit the number of packet pickups if it is crowded
Yes: Shirts come in both standard unisex and v-neck cut
Yes: T-shirt sizing first come, first served
Yes: Please follow the Running Shop's posted public health protocols.
Yes: It may be crowded, so please be kind to the staff at the Running Shop and the volunteers.
Yes: people can still register -- cash or check only, no medal or shirt until after race day
Yes: You can pick up your race schwag in person, then do the event virtually. We'll post the virtual result link soon!
Sunday, October 24, Race Morning Schedule
NOTE: Please be mindful of standard public health protocols -- if you cannot keep social distance at the race site, please wear a face covering.
6:00 am - 6:45 am Race Day Registration and Packet Pickup
32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ
NOTE: All registrants will pick up their number at the entrance to Biosphere 2 -- all guests can purchase the discounted day passes.
NOTE: please bring a face covering to wear when you cannot maintain safe social distance protocols.
Yes: Shirts come in both standard unisex and v-neck cut
Yes: T-shirt sizing first come, first served
PLANNED RACE DAY SCHEDULE
7:00 am Start TMC 15k Race -- for all ages, all abilities, all bodies, RRCA Arizona State Championship with prize money.
- Gun-time for all prize money awards
- All age-group awards are based on chip time
- No official 15k start allowed after 7:10 am
7:15 am Start 5k Fun Run/Walk -- for all ages, all abilities, all bodies
- The race is chip-timed
- Runners may start at any time between 7:15-7:25
8:45 or so Cox Charities SAR FitKidz Mile Begins
9:15 or so Awards
Post-race through November
Remaining shirts and available medals will be available at The Running Shop, 3055 North Campbell from October 26th through November 15th. T-shirt sizing and medals are first come, first served.
We're super grateful to Sharon Bart and the whole crew at The Running Shop for all the help with this event.
Note on Out of Town Crown Virtual Runners
A handful of folks have signed for the Out of Town Crown. We're waiting for the TMC Get Moving long-sleeve shirt to arrive -- after that, we'll mail items to the 9 folks in the Out of Town Crown.
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Public Health Update and Event Protocols |
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COVID-19 is highly contagious and spreads primarily through respiratory droplets contained in heavy breathing, a cough, or a sneeze and the like. Our in-person charity running events are open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, including children, chair athletes, and older runners.
As much as we want to see happy smiles from everyone, due to the increasing transmission and positive testing rates of the delta variant within Pima county, we respectfully request the following:
- please wear a face covering at the race site when you cannot keep safe distance from one another . . .
- do not attend if you're experiencing any of the symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19 . . .
- do not attend if you have not yet been vaccinated.
Please remember that you can always do this event virtually. Thus if you have any uncertainty about your personal health or anxiousness about attending a crowded public event, you can send someone to pick up your race goodies on race weekend, and we'll keep race goodies at The Running Shop on a first-come, first-served basis through mid-November for those who cannot make it on race weekend.
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Race Hotel: The AC Hotel Downtown Tucson is offering special discounted pricing for all runners and walkers. Click here to make a reservation for an enjoyable weekend in Tucson.
Social Media: Please tag @runtucson and @runsar and @rrca with any instagram posts -- you can use hashtags #tmcgetmovingtucson or #tgetmovingtucson or #gabezimmermantriplecrown or anything else you want . . .
PortoJohns: Portojohns from Dub's Plumbing Services will be placed near the start/finish.
Route Safety: The course maps are below. This is a public course, so be mindful of potential hazards, such as cows, vehicles, potholes, cattle guards, speedbumps, and the like. Special thanks to Pinal County Sheriff Department for managing route safety.
Again, please be mindful of the cattle guards and speedbumps!
Water on the Route: For public health reasons, it is best if every runner brings their own water for their run.
For the 15k, we anticipate a water/Gatorade stop at the intersection of Biosphere Road and Madison Road, which will enable aid at approximately miles 4 and 5 and again at the 8.25 mile mark. This will be largely self-serve.
For the 5k, we anticipate one water station at approximately 1.75 miles into the event. This will be largely self-serve
Given that COVID-19 is highly contagious and spreads primarily through respiratory droplets contained in heavy breathing, a cough, or a sneeze and the like, please be mindful of the safety needs at the water station.
Beverages After the Race: Thanks to Gatorade for sponsoring the State Championship. We will have Gatorade on the 15k course and at the start/finish line.
Super Coffee: Special thanks to our new in-kind sponsor for providing Super Coffee -- see them at www.drinksupercoffee.com
Snacks After the Race: Thanks to Tucson Medical Center, we will have individual servings of Oreos and chocolate chip cookies, pretzels and granola bars, and other sweet and salty snacks.
Music: Thanks to long-time friend of the running community, DJ Rich, for providing the early morning music and announcements.
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1) Free Day Pass for All Participants and Volunteers: Your race number will provide access to the grounds, including the self-guided tour of the Biosphere 2 Experience. Click here for information.
All friends and family can purchase passes at the super-discounted price of $8 for adults and $5 for children. Guests can purchase the discounted passes at the front gate.
2) For spectators who want to watch you race but not enter the grounds, you can park at the parking lots and view the race from the 1 and 7 mile marks at the entrance to the grounds. Spectators can also park on the route to cheer. There is no driving on the road while the race is in progress.
3) Please consider car-pooling. Unless you live in Oracle or Catalina, it's a long way -- and parking, while plentiful, is limited, so please consider joining with other runners and walkers to carpool. Our friends at the Southern Arizona Roadrunners are using their facebook page to link folks with rides, so check 'em out here.
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Park in the main lot, then head to the entrance where you'll find the registration and packet pickup materials. All registrants with race numbers can head straight into the Biosphere 2; guests will pay the discounted $8 fee for adults and $5 for children at the Biosphere 2 entrance area. |
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Directions, Parking, Weather |
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To the Biosphere 2 from Tucson, at the intersection of Oracle Road & River Road:
- Head north approximately 24 miles, mindful that the road name will change from Oracle Road or AZ Highway 77
- Turn right on to Biosphere Road at Mile Post 96.5
- Follow Biosphere Road about two miles east to the Biosphere 2 property
To the Biosphere 2 from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport:
- After leaving the airport, follow the signs to I-10 E
- Take I-10 E toward Tucson, to Exit 185 and exit the interstate
- Turn left onto Highway 387 and continue past Coolidge until Highway 387 intersects with AZ Highway 79 near Florence
- Turn right on to Highway 79 and follow this until Oracle Junction where you turn left onto AZ Highway 77
- Drive north approximately 6 miles on AZ Highway 77
- Turn right on to Biosphere 2 Road at Mile Post 96.5 and follow Biosphere Road about two miles east to the Biosphere 2 property
Parking: Please park in the main Biosphere 2 lots -- then walk through the entrance. All registrants will pick up their number at the entrance to Biosphere 2 -- all guests can purchase the discounted day passes. Please allow enough time to travel to the event location -- and please be mindful of runners and walkers warming up on the route as you drive in.
Weather: The race will take place rain or shine. It is expected that race day will start cool and a bit chilly (with temperatures perhaps dipping into the 30's overnight), while mid-race it is expected to be in the 60's climbing into the 70's. The altitude at Biosphere 2 is approximately 3800 feet.
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Umm, yeah, that's a hill out there. This is looking down the road at about 4.5 -- you'll go out and come back! |
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This is the front entrance at the parking lots -- look for registration and packet pickup. |
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Thanks to John Adams (in red) for helping produce the race and to the whole crew at Biosphere 2 for all the help! |
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Planned Race Routes
Because this is a possible-one-time-only event, the routes will be garmin-accurate but not USATF certified.
Oh, and both courses are hilly - mostly paved with about a 400m section of smooth dirt road. Bring your camera -- the views are stunning!
Special thanks to Timothy Young and the other residents of Copper Hill Estates for letting us use their road from Mile 4-6
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NOTE: please stay on the left side of the roadways. The course is set up for all runners to stay left, with every turn-around keeping you on the left side. There are cones in the middle of Biosphere Road, but there will be no cones on Madison and no cones inside the Biosphere property. There will be chalked white arrows on the ground, so please keep an eye for those.
NOTE: It is an open course, so it is your responsibility to manage rural road hazards such as vehicles, speed bumps, cattle guards, free ranging cows, wild animals, and snakes.
NOTE: As we've said before, courses have been measured using various measuring applications -- but they are not USATF certified. If someone sets a national or world record, we have 30 days to certify the course; otherwise, finishing times will be non-certified times.
How to Run the TMC 15k Course
Start: The race begins at the SW edge of the Great Lawn. The start itself is a pretty steep downhill that curves left and then begins to climb up to the Biosphere 2 casitas near the entrance. This first half-mile consists of a downhill followed by a steep uphill with the Biosphere 2 structure to your left.
For the rest of the first mile you follow the road leaving the property. Be mindful of multiple speedbumps -- you can go between them or over them, but don't trip!
Mile 1-3: As you leave the Biosphere property, stay on he left side of Biosphere Road as you take the rolling hills heading west back to Highway 77. Be mindful of two cattle guards. Look for the wooden coverings on the cattle guards or be mindful of your footsteps on the railings. The turnaround is just before the 3 mile mark. If you reach Highway 77, you've missed the turnaround.
Mile 3-4: After the turnaround, you'll stay on the left side of the roadway taking the rolling downhill to the left turn at Madison Road near the 4 mile mark.
WATER: There will be a hydration station near the intersection with water and Gatorade. There should be volunteers there, but following race protocols due to public health concerns the water and Gatorade stations are self-serve.
Mile 4-5: At Mile 4 you'll begin and out-and-back through a private neighborhood -- you'll see signs for plots of land for sale, all on beautiful rolling hillside.
Near the entrance gate, please keep an eye out for a cattle guard that will NOT be covered.
You'll head uphill keeping left, turn left on Charles Road and go up and down and up and down until you hit the end of the road, where you'll turn around -- then again keeping on the left side of the roadway you'll go down and up and down and up and down and down all the way back to Biosphere Road, near the 6 mile mark.
Mile 6-7: After you turn left onto Biosphere Road, you'll stay on the left edge of Biosphere Road and pass the 6-mile mark, then roll uphill back to the Biosphere property. Please stay to the left. After you pass the entrance buildings, you'll hit the 7-mile mark and then head left and down a steep hill into the hidden part of the Biosphere 2 property. You'll climb up a hill, through a gate and uphill past some buildings then you'll pop onto a flat dirt road on the ridge line for about a quarter-mile. You may want to take some time to look at the view, with the Catalinas to your left and the Biosphere buildings to your right.
Mile 8-9.3: As you near Mile 8 you'll come upon a ranch house that was built over 100 years ago -- look for wild turkeys. After the ranch house, you'll swing a steep downhill curve to the right, then after mile 8 you'll come out on a more flat road with the Biosphere to your right. Sadly, you'll head south, away from the Biosphere on a mostly flat out-and-back.
WATER: There will be a hydration station after the 8-mile mark, with water and Gatorade. There should be volunteers there, but following race protocols due to public health concerns the water and Gatorade stations are self-serve.
At about 8.5 miles you'll turn around and head back towards the beautiful finish line. Speedy 15k runners may come across friends in the 5k at this point.
Again staying left, take the straightaway for about 4/10 of a mile, then turn left and left again as you climb to the finish line. And yes, unfortunately, the finish line is at the top of the same starting hill, at the Great Lawn.
How to Run the TMC 5k Course
NOTE: please stay on the left side of the roadways. There will be chalked white arrows on the ground, so please keep an eye for those.
It is an open course, so it is your responsibility to manage rural road hazards such as vehicles, speed bumps, cattle guards, free ranging cows, wild animals, and snakes.
Start: The race begins at the SW edge of the Great Lawn. The start itself is a pretty steep downhill that curves left and then begins to climb up to the Biosphere 2 casitas near the entrance. This first half-mile consists of a downhill followed by a steep uphill with the Biosphere 2 structure to your left.
For the rest of the first mile you follow the road leaving the property. Be mindful of multiple speedbumps -- you can go between them or over them, but don't trip!
At 8/10 of a mile you will swing a U-turn and head down a steep hill into the hidden part of the Biosphere 2 property. MILE ONE is in the middle of the downhill.
Mile 1-2: After the downhill you'll climb up a hill, through a gate and uphill past some buildings then you'll pop onto a flat dirt road on the ridge line for about a quarter-mile. This is about half-way into the race. You may want to take some time to look at the view, with the Catalinas to your left and the Biosphere buildings to your right.
As you near Mile 1.5 you'll come upon a ranch house that was built over 100 years ago -- look for wild turkeys. After the ranch house, you'll swing a steep downhill curve to the right, then you'll come out on a more flat road with the Biosphere to your right. Sadly, you'll head south, away from the Biosphere on a mostly flat out-and-back.
WATER: There will be a hydration station before the 2-mile mark, with water and Gatorade. There should be volunteers there, but following race protocols due to public health concerns the water and Gatorade stations are self-serve.
Mile 2-3: The 2-mile mark is on the flat-ish section, by an old water tank spout, the sort of thing you see in cowboy movies where they fill the steam engine. Stay left as you head out and away from the buildings. You'll see the turnaround at the end of a tree-lined median -- turn around and say left as you make your way back to the Biosphere 2 buildings. You may see some speedy 15k runners at this point.
Again staying left, take the straightaway for about 4/10 of a mile, then turn left and left again as you climb to the finish line. And yes, unfortunately, the finish line is at the top of the same starting hill, at the Great Lawn. Fortunately, the race measures at somewhere between 3 and 3.1 miles!
How to Run the COX Family Mile and the SAR FITKIDZ Mile
Please remind your children to stay on the roadway and be careful as they run up and down the hills.
Start: The mile begins at the SW edge of the Great Lawn. The start itself is a pretty steep downhill that curves left. After the first .15 of a mile, turn right and right again at the water station, then head south on the out-and-back portion. Please remember to stay on the left side of the road.
Be mindful of multiple speedbumps -- you can go between them or over them, but don't trip! You'll see the turnaround at the half-mile mark -- turn around and stay left as you make your way back to the Biosphere 2 buildings.
Once you get close to the buildings, you'll turn left and left again and climb to the finish line. And yes, unfortunately, the finish line of the Mile is also is at the top of the hill, at the Great Lawn.
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Please Support Our Sponsors and Partners |
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The TMC Now app gives you 24/7 access to physicians that are licensed to practice in Arizona through the convenience of phone, video, or mobile app visits. It's an affordable option for quality medical care.
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Thank you for Supporting Our Local Beneficiaries |
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The 2021 Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown, honoring the slain civil servant, Gabe Zimmerman, expect to raise over $20,000 for local organizations.
Supported by funding from Tucson Medical Center, Cox Communications, and participants, the events provide funding for the following organizations:
BEYOND Tucson Foundation: Following the tragic shooting on the morning of January 8, 2011 in Tucson, Arizona at Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ “Congress On Your Corner,” the Southern Arizona community spontaneously came together to honor, remember, and show solidarity for those that were killed, injured, or traumatized by the event. Along with its partners, BEYOND provides year-round opportunities for the public to participate in a series of healthy activities and to learn more about the scientific research that shows methods for optimal physical and mental health.
Step Up To Justice: 200,000 Pima County residents live in poverty. 140,000 of them have at least one civil legal need per year. Step Up to Justice is an award winning, full-service, free civil legal center for low-income individuals and families in Pima County, powered by the talents of volunteer attorneys.
Team Hoyt Arizona: Team Hoyt Arizona is a nonprofit volunteer organization in Southern Arizona. People with special needs join for free with volunteers and we race together!
Cox Charities is the fundraising and grant-making arm of Cox Communications raising funds for local charities.
Educational Enrichment Foundation actively provides enhanced and enriched learning resources for TUSD students, teachers, and schools, advocates for educational excellence for all children, and ensures access to educational enrichment opportunities within TUSD for financially in-need students.
Greater Tucson Leadership is a non-profit, non-partisan leadership organization dedicated to providing leadership education, community development and civic engagement for the overall care of and commitment to our Tucson community.
Southern Arizona Roadrunners is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting health and fitness in Tucson and Southern Arizona through running and walking.
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RRCA Arizona State Regional 15k Championships
Special RRCA Championship Medallions to the first place Men’s and Women’s finishers in Open, 40+, 50+, and 60+ Divisions.
TMC Get Moving Tucson 15k Awards and Prize Money
TMC 15k prize money
$200 for first place man and woman
$75 for second place man and woman
$50 for third place man and woman
$50 for first place man and woman 40+
TMC 15k Run: Age Group Award Running Shop gift certificates:
Age Groups, top three male and female: U19 through 80+, in 5-year increments, AG1-$25 gc, AG 2-$15 gc, AG 3-$10 gc
5k Walk/Run Awards
Overall 1, 2, 3-$30, $25, $20 gc
Masters 1 $20
Age Groups: First Place in U10 through 70+ in ten-year increments, $15 gc
All prize money is based on Gun Time. All Age Group awards based on Chip Timing.
All prize money winners are taken out of age group gift certificate awards.
Thanks to the Running Shop for all gift certificates.
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Run Tucson (www.RunTucson.net) produces dynamic running and walking events in Arizona. We partner with Tucson Medical Center, the Southern Arizona Roadrunners, the Running Shop, the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Lifestyle Magazine, the KGUN Morning Blend, Cox Communications, Downtown Tucson Partnership, Rio Nuevo, Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce, and more.
Run Tucson is proud to coach The Workout Group, now in its 24th season of coaching runners in Tucson and around the nation.
Over the years, Run Tucson has raised over $300,000 for organizations such as BEYOND-Tucson, Cox Charities, the Children's Museum Tucson, Educational Enrichment Foundation, Greater Tucson Leadership, the Humane Society, Team Hoyt, the Southern Arizona Roadrunners, and more.
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Why Am I on This List? You've participated in one of the events we've produced, either one of our charity running events in Tucson, or as part of Meet Me at Maynard's, Meet Me Wednesday's, Meet Me Downtown PHX.
How Do I Get Off This List? You can hit the "unsubscribe" button below or you can email us at randy@runtucson.net.
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For information about our events, the RRCA, and The Workout Group, contact Randy Accetta
(520) 991-0733
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For information about in-person, online, or group coaching, contact contact Tia Accetta.
(520)891-4369
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