Final race details for participants in the April 26th Rancho Sahuarita Lakeside 5k Run/Walk

Hello from Run Tucson to the 387 early registrants who have signed up for the Inaugural Rancho Sahuarita Lakeside 5k and Family Mile!

We thank you so much for joining us on this new adventure in the beautiful Rancho Sahuarita community in Sahuarita, Arizona, about 20 miles south of Downtown Tucson.

We're thrilled to work with Michelle, Kelly, Courtney, Melanie, and all the folks at Rancho Sahuarita to produce this first-ever event.

Below you'll find all sorts of updated race weekend details to help you have a safe and fun experience:

Race Weekend Schedule and Packet Pickup Details
5k and 1-Mile Course Information
FAQ on Race Details
Additional Info on Rancho Sahuarita

For last-minute questions, please be sure to check out the race page with updated additional information.

Cheers,

Randy and Tia Accetta, Run Tucson Race Directors

randy@runtucson.net | tia@runtucson.net

Driving Directions and Parking: Click here for maps and other information about directions to the race and parking on race morning.

About You By the Numbers:

326: 5k early registrants

61: Family Milers

1: Registrant named Loretta

235: Female

151: Male

1: Registrant of unknown gender

87: Age of eldest registrant

168: From the Town of Sahuarita

10: States represented that are not Arizona, including Illinois, Wisconsin, California, Washington, Hawaii, Maryland, Texas, Michigan, Missouri, Florida

526: dollars donated by 44 participants to the Diamond Children's Center

Current Pricing: Registration is still open, so be sure to tell your running and walking friends!

5k: $30, includes souvenir shirt, colorful race number, official timing, and post-race activities
1-Mile: $20, includes souvenir shirt, colorful race number, official timing, and post-race activities
1-Mile for 10-and-under: $5, includes super-hero cape, race number, timing, and post-race activities

Weekend Schedule

Saturday, April 25 at The Running Shop, 3055 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, Arizona

10:00am - 1:00pm: Packet pickup and in-person registration at The Running Shop, conveniently located in mid-town Tucson

Pick up your souvenir shirt and your souvenir bib number.
Grab some safety pins to use to pin your race number to the front of the shirt you will wear while doing the race.
The Running Shop will have a Balega Sock Sale: buy one pair and get a second pair 50% off!
In-person registrants welcome with credit card, cash, or check.

Sunday, April 26: Race Day, all activities take place at Sahuarita Lake Park, 15455 South Camino Lago Azul, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 US

6:30am - 7:30am: Check in, packet pickup and race day registration

New registrants welcome with credit card, cash, or check.
Both early and new registrants can pick up their race number and commemorative t-shirt.
Please arrive early enough to park and check in with plenty of time.

7:30 am: Family One Mile Begins -- no late starts allowed, so please be on time

7:45 am: 5k Run/Walk Begins -- no late starts allowed, so please be on time

Ongoing: Runners, walkers, and spectators are invited to enjoy entertainment in our Family Play Area before and during the race. Activities at Sahuarita Lake Park will include

Bounce house
Climbing Wall
Obstacle course
Facepainting
Vendor booths

9:00 am: Approximate time for awards

10:00 am: Approximate time event wraps up

Time Limit: 2 hour time limit on 5k course, so that the finish line will close at 9:45 am

Results: Assuming the Internet connection works, results should be live at www.roadrunnerracetiming.com

Registration FAQ

Q: What do I do if I want to change my race distance?

A: At pre-race packet pickup, please tell the volunteers that you want to change your event, and they will help manage that process.

On race morning, please check in with the timer at the timing tent near the start/finish line so that the timing company knows what event you want to do. There is no fee to go from the 5k to the Mile, but there may be an additional fee to move from the Mile to the 5k.

Q: Do I need a Driver's License or other ID to get my packet and goodies?

A: No.

Q: Do I need my registration confirmation email?

A: It is not needed but it would be helpful if you have proof of your registration.

Q: How do I know if I am registered?

A: All registrations are logged through the RunSignup platform. You can use this link to search for a participant.

Q: Can I pick up the packet for other people?

A: Yes, however, please be mindful of the crowds -- if you are picking up for more than 3 people, please wait until the line is short so that we don't inconvenience those waiting in line. Please know the t-shirt size that they want and please be sure that they are registered.

Q: Will you mail my packet if I can't make it to any of the two packet pickup times?

A: Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to mail individual race packets to folks who cannot make packet pickup times. Please send a friend or someone else to pick up your items so that you can be assured of receiving your souvenirs.

Q: Will you save my packet for me to pick up later if I can't make it to any of the two packet pickup times?

A: Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to save individual race packets. However, after the race all remaining shirts will be available at The Running Shop through the end of May, on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot promise that we will have a race number for you.

Q: What if the t-shirt doesn't fit the way I want it to?

A: You will be given the size you asked for in your registration; you can try to exchange an unworn shirt for a different size, based on whatever sizes are in stock at the time.

The Route Details

5k Course:

Terrain: The race is a paved route. It includes about two miles of paved multi-use path, concrete sidewalks, about 50 yards of grass, a final stretch along the paved path circling Sahuarita Lake.

Arrows: There will be white chalk arrows on the ground providing direction at every turn.

The Start: The event starts near the main parking lot entrance to the Ranch Sahuarita clubhouse. You will follow the sidewalk across a street, then turn right onto the multi-use path bordering the Rancho Sahuarita development. You will head north on the paved path with the desert to your left.

Mile One: The first mile is just before the turn into the neighborhood. You will cross the grassy park of Parque Del Sol, then cross the street to the sidewalk along the south side of the street. At about 1.7 miles, you'll turn onto the paved path bordering the houses on your right. It is flat all the way.

Mile Two: From Mile Two to Mile Three you will be on the paved multi-use path, then turn onto the sidewalk heading west. At the lake, the volunteers will direct you to cross the street onto the Lake path.

Mile Three and the Finish: Your final 200 yards will along the path, finishing under the arch at the southern end of Sahuarita Lake. Please be sure to not fall into Sahuarita lake.

REMEMBER TO STAY ON THE SIDEWALK AND PATH -- DO NOT GO INTO THE STREET

One Mile Course: The One mile is a counter-clockwise course, along the concrete sidewalk bordering Sahuarita Lake. It is flat. Please be sure to not fall into Sahuarita Lake. The One Mile is a single lap around the lake so it is a bit short.

Measurements: The route is garmin- and map-my-run correct but not a USATF certified course.

Chair Athletes: Chair athletes will find this a doable course, though the Parque Del Sol section may be a bit of a challenge.

Strollers: Strollers are allowed in the race. Please remember sun protection for the little ones and be careful of curbs and other participants.

Headphones: As at all of our events, we discourage the use of headphones -- enjoy the scenery, talk to your fellow participants, and be sure you can hear your surroundings.

Bathrooms: There are bathrooms at the start/finish area and there is a public bathroom available at the north end of the lake. There are no portojohns along the 3.1 mile course.

FAQ: Timing, Results, Awards, Charity, Sponsors

Q: Who is doing the timing?

A: Timing will be provided by Roadrunner Race Timing and will include the official time, place, and a finisher's video.

Please be sure to put your race bib number on the front of your shirt using the pins that will be provided at packet pickup.

The 5k start line is at a different location than the finish line, so the 5k will be recorded based on so-called "start timing" or "gun timing," meaning that the participant's time will be recorded from the start of the race to when the participant crosses the finish line mats. (If you want to ensure that you know your accurate time, be sure to start your watch when you actually cross the start line and finish line!)

You must have your race number attached to the front of your race shirt (or shorts) to be viewed by the timing equipment.

Q: Where can I find the results after the race?

A: You can find results at www.roadrunnerracetiming.com . Depending on internet connectivity, unofficial results will be live.

Q: What are the prizes for overall winners and age group winners?

A: We're excited to award top finishers gift certificates to The Running Shop (3055 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson). As much as we like trophies, we prefer gift certificates as awards because they provide such tangible benefit.

5k Awards

1st, 2nd, 3rd Overall male and female: Running Shop Gift Certificates in various denominations

Top three in 10-year age groups, male and female: U-20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+ : Running Shop Gift Certificates in various denominations

Mile Awards

1st, 2nd, 3rd male and female overall: Running Shop Gift Certificates in various denominations

Q: What is Rancho Sahuarita?

Rancho Sahuarita is an award-winning planned community, just northwest of the beautiful Santa Rita Mountains. Amenities include a beautiful man-made lake with a mile-long path, a swimming pool, clubhouse, fitness center, trails, and over 350 activities a year. Here's what they say:

Welcome to Rancho Sahuarita - a thriving master planned community, located just 20 minutes south of Tucson.

With access to over 350 annual events, 45 free weekly fitness classes, parks, trails, pools, dog parks and life’s daily conveniences just steps away – everything you need is all in your backyard!

Now celebrating 25 years since opening, the community is still growing – with new homes now selling from the high $200’s in 2 neighborhoods; including the newest neighborhood, Entrada Del Toro!

The neighborhood has homes from 6 award-winning homebuilders –be sure to check them out today or get more info on RanchoSahuarita.com.

Q: Where is Rancho Sahuarita?

A: Rancho Sahuarita is located in the Town of Sahuarita, about 20 miles directly south of Downtown Tucson, an easy drive on I-19.

And if you live in Green Valley, Rio Rico, or the Nogales area, we guess that you already know where it is!

Q: What is the charity?

A: Diamond Children's Medical Center is a medical facility designed as a bright, healing environment for kids and their families.

As part of Banner-UMC, it's a place where children can receive advanced care from the pediatric specialty physicians and researchers of the University of Arizona Steele Children's Research Center.

All race profits will be donated directly to Diamond Children's Center. And yes, you can donate directly to them with details on the race registration page!

Q: How is Run Tucson involved?

A: Rancho Sahuarita has asked us at Run Tucson to be the race directors, so we've been working with folks at Rancho Sahuarita to make plans, come up with the route, work on permits, and do all the nitty-gritty small things that need to be done for a fun and healthy event.

Our friends at Roadrunner Race Timing will do the timing.

Clint and Angela at StarlightDeeJays will spin some tunes and keep us entertained.

And Rancho Sahuarita will have a whole bunch of activities for young and old alike.

Q: Who are the sponsors?

A: Click on the image below to find information on all the sponsors and link to their pages.

Next From Run Tucson

TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k Night Run/Walk

Festival of Miles

Saturday Night, May 30

Downtown Tucson

Whaddya' think of the AI-generated image of this year's TMC Meet Me Downtown shirt, in unisex and women's sizing?

Make plans for the 20th Annual TMC Night Run/Walk and Festival of Miles

Staged at Armory Park and the Children's Museum in the heart of Downtown Tucson, with Pueblo Vida beer garden, live music from Pop-up Rebellion, food truck roundup, and after-party at Pueblo Vida. Age group awards and prize money for speed demons.

$5 discount for every member of a group that is 5 or more participants.

Run or walk your favorite event:

TMC 5k Night Run/Walk
The Open Mile
The Free High School Mile
The Free FitKidz Mile

The TMC 5k Night Run is part of the SAR's 2026 Running Shop Grand Prix.

The TMC 5k Night Run is the RRCA West Regional Championship.

This is the first event of the three-race Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown, raising funds for the BEYOND-Tucson Foundation. Additional beneficiaries include the Children's Museum and Greater Tucson Leadership.

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Who Sends These? To promote our mission of making our hometowns better through running, Run Tucson advocates for health & fitness, enhancing community engagement, and promoting the local economy.

In addition, we make significant contributions to worthy charities, providing over $350,000 to local organizations over the years.

Our partners include the Town of Tusayan, Saguaro National Park, the Kaibab National Forest, the Downtown Tucson Partnership, Rio Nuevo, the Southern Arizona Roadrunners, plus Tucson Medical Center, Cox Communications, Meet Me at Maynard's and a host of local sponsors.

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