Saguaro National Park Labor Day 8-Miler/5k

September 2nd Update: Thanks to the almost 900 folks who registered for the 2024 event!  And thanks to the National Park Service for raising the race-day cap and for all the great work they did to welcome us to Saguaro National Park, Tucson's desert treasure!   Thanks to KVOA-4 for this news piece on the event. You can find results for the 8-miler and 5k here.  If you earned an award, the Running Shop gift certificates are at The Running Shop, at 3055 North Campbell Avenue.  You can see the award rules and regulations here.  If you missed out on a t-shirt, there are a handful of women's small and XS t-shirts still available at The Running Shop.    Registration for the 2025 TMC Saguaro National Park Labor Day Race will open soon. The Original Saguaro!  This is the only Saguaro race that takes place within the actual-factual cactus forest of Saguaro National Park.  Stunning views, iconic imagery, and a course that will blow you away! If you're ready for an adventure that combines nature and fitness, then get ready for the 53rd Annual Saguaro National Park Labor Day 8-Miler and 5 Run/Walk, one of 3 races in America actually held within the grounds of a National Park.

 

Join the Southern Arizona Roadrunners on an exhilarating run through the Cactus Forest, a surreal landscape of towering saguaros at the base of the rugged Rincon Mountains. The rolling course promises a challenge, but the breathtaking views of saguaro, prickly pears, ocotillos, and possibly even a rattlesnake or two, make it worth it! Who knows, you might even spot a herd of wild javalinas cheering you on. This is one run you won't want to miss!    Capped at 800 total participants.   A note on 2025 pricing: Your race entry includes an entrance pass to the Saguaro National Park. The National Park Service has changed their event pricing model, so the Southern Arizona Roadrunners is required to pay $15 per participant.  SAR is committed to paying some of that cost, but you can save $15 on your registration by submitting your National Park Service number at the appropriate spot in the registration process.  Click here for information on how to purchase a National Park Pass.   Prize money for course records, age group and overall awards, a souvenir shirt and post-race fun for all.  Your race entry provides a day pass into Saguaro National Park. Produced by the Southern Arizona Roadrunners, whose original founders created the race back in 1971.    Click here for a nifty video put together by Saguaro National Park Ranger Cam Juarez      2025 Planned Schedule  

Saturday, August 30th 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Packet Pickup and In-Person Registration at The Running Shop, 3055 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ

Packet pickup and in-person registration directions:

We will use the new "dynamic bib" system: when you go inside The Running Shop, find the registration tables at the back of the store.  When you get to the front of the line, simply tell the volunteer your name.  Using a tablet, they will look your name up in the online registration platform, assign you a bib number, give you the bib number, give you a shirt, and send you on your way.  It helps if you have your race registration confirmation email, but it is not necessary. 

If you have hyphenated or multiple last names, please tell the volunteers the name that you registered under.
We've made note of your requested shirt size, but shirt sizing is available on a first-come, first-served basis as we do our best to ensure that everyone gets the size that best fits.
Yes, you can pick up the number and shirt for other people; please be mindful of the crowds and don't expect the volunteers to handle a lengthy list at one time if there is a line.
Yes, folks can register through on Saturday, via RunSignup, cash or check.
Those who have registered after August 27th or who will register after August 27th will be asked to pick up their shirt (if available) at the SAR tent after the race starting at about 8:00am on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes, the Running Shop is holding their annual Labor Day sale, with discounts on sale shoes, sale apparel, and regular apparel. 

Race Day Monday, September 1st at Saguaro National Park East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail Rd, Visitor Center Parking Lot

NOTE: You can pick up your race shirt and race number on race morning at Saguaro National Park East, but there is no in-person registration in Saguaro National Park on race day.

5:00 am - 5:45 am: packet pickup. All shirt sizing is first-come, first-served. We will use the new "dynamic bib" system: when you go inside The Running Shop, find the registration tables at the back of the store.  When you get to the front of the line, simply tell the volunteer your name.  Using a tablet, they will look your name up in the online registration platform, assign you a bib number, give you the bib number, give you a shirt, and send you on your way.  It helps if you have your race registration confirmation email, but it is not necessary. 

5:30 am: 8-Mile Walk Early Start.

This early start is designed solely to support walkers who will be on the course for more than 2.5 hours.  Early start walkers, please be sure to provide room on the road so that people can pass you. Early start closes at 5:33 am.  Please, be respectful of the early start rules. Last year about 100 runners snuck into the early start and created a bit of a snafu for timing, awards, and more.Make sure your race number is pinned to the front of your shirt. Please bring your own hydration. If you think you will be out for more than 2 hours, bring sports drink or other electrolyte drink.

6:00 am: 8-Mile Run Start

Make sure your race number is pinned to the front of your shirt.Please bring your own hydration. If you think you will be out for more than 2 hours, bring sports drink or other electrolyte drink.This gun-timed start is the start for runners and run/walkers of all ages and abilities.  You must start at 6:00 am to be eligible for age group, overall awards, and Grand Prix points. The 8-mile start line closes by 6:04 am.  NOTE: Overall winners will be decided by so-called gun-time at 6:00 am, with age groups awarded by so-called chip-time.  Your Race Number: Use safety pins to attach your race number to the front of your shirt.  Do not wrinkle it.  Make sure it can be seen at the start/finish lines.Starting Line Order: To ensure a safe and fair start, please line up in expected minutes-per-miler order.  For example, if you will run 5 or 6 minutes per mile, please start at the front, followed in order by those who expect to run 7-minutes per mile, then 8-minute-milers, 9-minute milers, 10-minute milers, 11-minute milers, 12-minute milers, and walkers of all speeds.If you are pushing a stroller, please allow enough room around you to be safe and courteous to the other participants.  Guided athletes and their guides, please be sure you have enough room to safely manage the crowds.Be aware of the various speedbumps on the course.  Be aware of rattlesnakes and other wildlife.

6:05 am: 5k Run/Walk Start. The 5k event begins after the 8-mile start, at about 6:05 am. All 5k participants start at the same time. The 5k start-line closes 5 minutes after the 5k starts.

Your Race Number: Use safety pins to attach your race number to the front of your shirt.  Do not wrinkle it.  Make sure it can be seen at the start/finish lines.Starting Line Order: To ensure a safe and fair start, please line up in expected minutes-per-miler order.  For example, if you will run 5 or 6 minutes per mile, please start at the front, followed in order by those who expect to run 7-minutes per mile, then 8-minute-milers, 9-minute milers, 10-minute milers, 11-minute milers, 12-minute milers, and walkers of all speeds.If you are pushing a stroller, please allow enough room around you to be safe and courteous to the other participants.  Guided athletes and their guides, please be sure you have enough room to safely manage the crowds.Be aware of the various speedbumps on the course.  Be aware of rattlesnakes and other wildlife.

8:00 am: Visitor Center opens 

8:00 am: Course Closure Rules: Due to public safety concerns, all 8-mile participants must be beyond the 5-mile mark by 8:00 am, with the National Park Service reserving the right to pick up participants in a sag vehicle.

8:30 am: Approximate time award ceremony begins at SAR tent, most likely starting with 5k then 8-miler afterwards. Depending on internet capabilities, results will posted to www.roadrunnerracetiming on race morning, then on www.runsar.org late in the day.

9:00 am: Route closes, with National Park Service reserving the right to pick up late-finish athletes, depending on safety concerns

9:30 am: Approximate time when the Park opens to all vehicle traffic

10am - 2pm: The Running Shop is offering a special Labor Day Sale (3055 North Campbell Avenue)

September: Any remaining race shirts will be available at the Running Shop through the end of September. 

NOTES:

Make sure your race number is pinned to the front of your shirt. Please bring your own hydration. If you think you will be out for more than 2 hours, bring sports drink or other electrolyte drink.
Prize money and overall awards are awarded based on "gun-time" while age group awards will be awarded based on chip-time
"Gun Time" means that you are timed based on the single starting time, marked by the so-called starter's start -- in this case, at 6:00 am.
Chip Time means that your time official begins when you cross the start-line mat and that your official time ends when you cross the finish-line mat.

NOTE: Race sponsor The Running Shop will be open from 10am - 2pm on Labor Day Monday.  Any remaining race shirts will be available at the Running Shop (3055 North Campbell Avenue) through the end of September.    ROUTE 8-Mile Course: The loop 8 miler goes clockwise from the Visitor Center through the beautiful cactus forest at Saguaro National Park East in the foothills of the scenic Rincon Mountains.  The paved course is hilly, with stunning views of the iconic Sonoran Desert, including a vista overlooking the entire Tucson basin.  The water stops for the 8-Miler will be at approximately 3 and 7 miles.  Please bring your own water and hydration as needed.   5k Course: Out-and-back on paved rolling hills. The 5k participants stay to the right as they head into the Park on Cactus Forest Drive, then follow the chalk-arrows and turn right to head down the hill to the Javelina Picnic Grounds past the Freeman Homestead Trail. You'll turn around at the Turn-Around sign before you hit the picnic grounds, then reverse your route to the finish line. Please stay on the right coming back to the finish line.
5k Water Stops: There will be a water stop with volunteers from the Tucson TriGirls at the Cactus Forest Trailhead, approximately the 1 and 2 marks in the 5k.     ADDITIONAL DETAILS Volunteers: If you're interested in helping out, check out the volunteer link here for packet pickup on Saturday, August 31 and for race-day activities on Monday, September 2 Weather: most likely in the high 70's at the start, rising to triple digits later in the day. Headphones: headphones are discouraged; please be mindful of other athletes, rattlesnakes, and Park Rangers. Strollers:  The 5k is fine for strollers but the 8-miler is probably not a great idea for pushing a young child, with lots of steep up-and-downs and the possibility of high heat for the child in the last few miles of the race once the sun comes out. Chair Athletes: The 5k would be moderately challenging for chair athletes, while the 8-miler is a demanding course with downhills possible dangerous for chair athletes.  Pets Not Allowed: We love pets but they cannot be on the grounds of Saguaro National Park East between 5am - 9am.  Service animals are excepted.  See here for details on NPS pet policies. Parking: The National Park Service and Pima County Department of Transportation are both great friends of this race, but they're worried about public safety on the roads near the Park, so please drive slowly as you approach the National Park, watch for cyclists, and watch for your fellow pedestrians. Please follow the posted rules and be safe.  Please consider car-pooling to reduce the vehicle footprint on the roadways. A drop-off section is located in front of the entrance. Parking is available on the sides of the roads, on Freeman, Old Spanish Trail, and Escalante. There is NO parking in the National Park. Do not park in driveways, do not park near hydrants, do not block traffic. Here's what the National Park Service has said: "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..." 
Bathrooms: There will be 12 portojohns in the NPS parking lot near the starting line, so please allow enough time to use the restroom before you begin the race. There will be two portjohns on the 8-mile course near, near the overlook near Mile 4. Please do NOT use the desert as a bathroom. Rattlesnakes and cactus may do some damage -- plus the NPS will fine you!   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.