Thanks for registering for the 51st Annual TMC Saguaro National Park Labor Day 8-Miler and 5k!
On behalf of the Southern Arizona Roadrunners, we're writing to say thank you for signing up for the iconic Labor Day race out at Saguaro National Park East.

We'll write with more specific pre-race information, but for now please know that we have your registration in hand.

There are two in-person packet pickup options:
  • Saturday, September 3rd at the Running Shop from 10am - 1:00pm
  • Race day, Monday, September 5th at Saguaro East (3693 South Old Spanish Trail) from 5:00am - 6:00am.

See below for more details on registration and packet pickup.

If you have any questions, please email or call me at 520-991-0733.

-- Randy Accetta, Race Director and Past-President, Southern Arizona Roadrunners
Planned Schedule

Saturday, September 3
10:00 am - 1:00 pm registration and packet pickup at The Running Shop, 3055 North Campbell Avenue. Shirts are given out first-come, first-served, with sizing of S - XXL, in both a unisex crew cut and a v-neck tapered cut.

Race Day, Monday September 5
5:00 am - 6:00 am registration and packet pickup at SAGUARO EAST, near the Visitor's Center, 3693 South Old Spanish Trail. (Thanks to Jim Irish for reminding us to clarify this location!)

Shirts are given out first-come, first-served, with sizing of S - XXL, in both a unisex crew cut and a v-neck tapered cut.

5:30 am: 8-Miler rolling start begins, all are welcome to start early. If you plan on taking more than 2 hours, please begin as early as possible before the sun gets super-hot!

6:30 am: 8-Miler prize money start beginning at 6:30 am. Note that the start line closes at 6:30 am so that the 5k can start at 6:35 am

6:35 am: 5k Group start at 6:35 closes at 6:40

8:30 am: Awards, approximately
  • Course Closure Rules: Due to public safety concerns, all 8-mile participants must be past the 5-mile mark by 8:00 am. All athletes on the course at 9:00 am will be disqualified and will not receive a finishing time. Again, for public safety, the National Park Service reserves the right to pick up any trailing athletes.
  • Event Closure: 9:30 am
  • Times to be finalized in August, details to be announced


Location: Saguaro National Park East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail Road. Notice that this takes place at Saguaro EAST!

Pricing: Early registration has passed, so the race is $50 now.

Where Your Fees Go: Shirts, timing, race numbers, permits, road barricading, Park fees, charity giving, insurance, production costs, and more.

Goodies: Commemorative souvenir race shirt, chip timed race and published results, post-race snacks, free day entry to the Saguaro National Park

8-Mile Course: The 8 miler rolls through the beautiful cactus forest at Saguaro National Park East in the foothills of the scenic Rincon Mountains.  The paved course is hot and hilly, so be prepared.

5k Course: Out-and-back on paved rolling hills

Social Training Runs: We had hoped to find volunteer run leaders to lead informal social runs on the course in August -- unfortunately, we have not yet been able to find volunteers to help with this so for now you're on your own to run the loop.

PRIZE MONEY AND AWARDS
The 8 Miler is part of SAR's Running Shop Desert Grand Prix.

Gift certificates from The Running Shop and other prizes for overall and age-group winners.

Running Shop gift certificates 8 mile Run: 
Gift cards to top three overall male and female: 1, 2, 3 overall $40, $35, $30 gift cards. Masters 1 $35 gift card. 
Age Groups, top three male and female: U19 through 80+, in 5-year increments, AG1-$25 gc, AG 2-$20 gc, AG 3-$10 gc 

Running Shop gift certificates 5k Walk/Run:
Top three overall male and female: 1, 2, 3-$30, $25, $20 gc, Masters 1 $20. 
Age Groups: First Place in U10 through 80+ in ten-year increments, $15 gc 

Course Records:
$250 to fastest man and woman who break the current course records:
  • Nicholas Hilton 41:33, 2018
  • Katie James 46:39, 2016

Race Director Challenge: The first man who breaks race director Randy Accetta's course PR of 42:48 set back in the last century will receive $424.80 in cash on the barrelhead. The first woman who breaks a sex-graded equivalent of 47:48 will receive $474.80 in cash on the barrelhead.

Thanks to Sharon Bart and the crew at The Running Shop for hosting pre-race packet pickup and for providing all the gift certificates for age group and overall awards.
SAGUARO BENEFICIARIES
The National Park Service: 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 hard-copy entry form or your online registration.

Friends of Saguaro: This year's event will donate funds to the Friends of Saguaro. Friends of Saguaro National Park: Our mission is to help the public discover Saguaro, protect Saguaro, and support Saguaro.

Southern Arizona Roadrunners: This event raises operating funds for SAR and income for the Children's Fitness Fund, an award-based program supporting youth fitness in and around Tucson.

OTHER STUFF
Public Health and the Saguaro National Park: As needed, SAR will provide additional details on public health protocols for all participants.

Parking and the Saguaro National Park: The National Park Service and Pima County Department of Transportation are both great friends of this race, but they are worried about public safety on the roads near the Park. Final race weekend details will be announced in conjunction with the National Park Service and Pima County.

Whenever you visit the Park, please watch for pedestrians and cyclists -- and please follow the rules and be safe. 

"please pay attention to the NO PARKING signs along Old Spanish Trail! We'd rather not have to cite and tow folks who are blocking sight lines and bike lanes..." 
VOLUNTEERS
It's never too early to sign up to volunteer. For 2022, we'll need help with registration, setting up the staging area, handing out water and food, and putting things away.

If you're part of a team looking for community service opportunities or fundraising, we're always happy to support high school cross country or other youth sports teams who provide volunteer groups
Thanks to the Tucson Tri Girls for helping with one of the water stations!
Next Up for the Southern Arizona Roadrunners

AUGUST 20: SAR 5000 - Reid Park (new date - new name - new membership drive event!) Register Here


SEPTEMBER 5: Saguaro National Park Labor Day 8-Mile Run and 5k Run/Walk - Saguaro National Park East


SEPTEMBER 18: TMC Tucson 10k and companion 5k - Painted Hills in the Tucson Mountains, staged at Pima Community College West -


SEPTEMBER 24: SAR FitKidz at Sabino Canyon - free for children under 12! - Register Here


SEPTEMBER 25: Jim Click's Run n' Roll 8k and 1-Mile - staged at the University of Arizona - Register Here


OCTOBER 23: TMC Biosphere 15k, 5k, and Cox Family Mile + FitKidz Mile - staged at Biosphere 2 in Oracle, AZ - Register Here


NOVEMBER 24: Thanksgiving Cross Country Classic 5k and 1.5 mile fun run - Reid Park - Register Here