DESCRIPTION: Located on the high desert plain of southeast Arizona, Sierra Vista offers the ideal venue to stage a beautiful and challenging Half Marathon and 5K event with a 1M fun Run/Walk. Starting at 4,500 feet and with the Huachuca mountains as their background, the courses wind through country neighborhoods with the half marathon continuing up to its turnaround at the entrance to the beautiful Ramsey Canyon Preserve at 5500’ of elevation. The return to the half marathon finish line affords beautiful vistas of the San Pedro River valley to the end of the run. Both courses are USA Track & Field certified.

As mentioned above, the half marathon course presents a challenge to even the experienced half marathoner due to the altitude and the significant elevation change . As a half marathon runner, you need to plan on completing your race in 3 hours or less.

There are 5 first aid and water stations along the half marathon course with portable toilets available at race headquarters (6) and midway through the half marathon course (2). There are no portable toilet facilities on the 5K course though there is a first aid and water station at the 5K turnaround.

The Rising Sun Run is a great race for great causes as all event proceeds go to provide vocational scholarships for Buena high school graduates and Cochise College incoming freshmen, scholarships for Rotary youth leadership and professional skills development programs, and funding for Rotary service projects for our non-profit organizations.

The City of Sierra Vista is a major sponsor of the Rising Sun Run with the RSR being a key event of their Sports Tourism Initiative; an Initiative to expand and bring sporting events to Sierra Vista from across Arizona.

The Rising Sun Run will follow all Sierra Vista covid-19 protocols that are in effect as of race day.

Race starting times will be as follows:

Half Marathon - 7:30am, 5K – 8:30am, 1M Run/Walk - 8:45am

Chip timing provided by “On Your Left Fitness and Timing." Official timing will end at 10:30am ~ half marathoners will need to complete their run within 3 hours or less. The event courses will close at 11:00am.

AWARDS CEREMONY: A great finish line experience is planned with music and nutritional food and drinks. The awarding of medals will highlight the ceremonies with medals being awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers, in both race categories, in each of seven age groups, for both men and women. Age groups are:

16 and below, 17-25, 26-35, 36-45, 46-55, 56-65, 66 and above.

In addition, the top 1st, 2nd, and 3rd finishers, men and women, regardless of age, will receive separate special medals. Also, all half marathon finishers will receive a beautiful and unique commemorative “spinner” medal. All 5K finishers will receive a participant ribbon. Finally, all runners are guaranteed, if registered by Oct. 15, to receive a technical race shirt, a cool towel at the finish line, and a race day swag bag. Though not guaranteed, runners registering after Oct. 15 will receive the same based on size and availability.

Podium presentation of medals for the half marathon should begin around 9:30am with 5K medals awarded once a majority of the runners have cleared the course.

Finally, cash prizes will be awarded to the top three overall half marathon finishers for both men and women:

Half Marathon: 1st place - $150, 2nd Place - $100, 3rd Place - $50

REGISTRATION: All Pre-race and Race day registrations will be through RunSignUp. Visit www.svsunriserotary.org for links to the registration site, Facebook site and the course video. There will be no cash registrations. Runner packet/swag bags pickup for all runners will be held at race headquarters, Huachuca Mountain Elementary school, over two days; Friday, Nov. 1st from 5pm to 6:30pm and Saturday, Nov. 2nd beginning at 6:30am for half marathoners and 7:00am for 5K runners. Same day registration will close 30 minutes prior to your scheduled start time. No registration is required for the 1M fun Run/Walk.

REGISTRATION FEES: Half Marathon 5K

Adult $65 until 9/1, then $75 $30 until 9/1, then $35

Military, Club, Youth $60 until 9/1, then $70 $25 until 9/1, then $30

Military, E-4 and below $35 $30

For more event details, visit the Sierra Vista Sunrise Rotary. Finally, should you have any questions, please us an e-mail.