Hello to Run Tucson friends new and old! Thanks to all of you who attended last week's El Tour de Tucson 5k in Downtown Tucson. As much as we love urban road races, as you can see in our logo, we at Run Tucson love trails, which is why we're thrilled to host two separate trail events for you this winter.

Here's the scoop:

• Each of them are at beautiful Southern Arizona destinations, where the winter weather is a pleasure!

• One is January along the grasslands of Las Cienegas National Conservation Area near the wineries in Sonoita, and one is in February through the rugged Saguaro-studded trails of the Tucson Mountains.

• One is on the grounds of an historic cattle ranch, and one is on the grounds of an historic western film set.

• Both of them include the challenge of a longer race, the fun of a shorter race, and a family-friendly mile.

• Both of them have super-cool technical shirts for early registrants. One is long sleeve, one is short sleeve. Both of them are sublimated, whole-shirt prints.

• Both of them have low early-bird pricing, and both of them let you purchase a souvenir medal or other goodies if you want.

The first-ever "Empire Ranch Trail Run" will include a 10k Trail Run, a 5k Run/Walk, and a 1 mile family-friendly walk/run. 

Runners can run or walk on trails among the beautiful rolling grasslands near the famed Empire Ranch, in the high Sonoran Desert of the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (LCNCA), located about 50 miles southeast of Tucson, and about 6 miles north of Sonoita.

The Empire Ranch has never been used for a running event, so if you haven't been out here, you should grab the chance to join us at one of Arizona's most famous locations! Click here for images and maps of the race site.

Produced as a joint partnership between the Empire Ranch Foundation and Run Tucson, the Empire Ranch Trail Run is raising funds for the Empire Ranch Foundation to protect, restore and sustain the Empire Ranch historical buildings and landscape as an outstanding western heritage and education center. Learn more about the Empire Ranch Foundation here.

What you get:

• First 550 registrants receive the souvenir long sleeve race shirt, sublimated technical material
• Age group and overall awards courtesy of The Running Shop
• Post-race snacks and goodies
• Post-race Empire Ranch activities, including demonstrations, vendors, and more
• Timed 10k run with finisher's video
• Timed 5k Run/Walk with finisher's video
• A 1 mile walk/run through the nature path, with finisher's video

Tentative Race Day Schedule: Saturday, January 24, 2026

8:30 am - 9:30 am Registration and Packet Pickup at Empire Ranch 

9:30 am Start of 10k 

9:40 am Start of 5k

9:45 am Start of Family Mile

Ongoing: Empire Ranch activities

11:30 or so Awards

Pricing:

Trail 10k: $40 through December 31st. Then $50 through race day, includes race shirt, finishing time, and more

Trail 5k and Family Mile: $30 through December 31st. Then $40 through race day, includes race shirt, finishing time, and more

Children's Mile 14-and-under: $5, no shirt included

One of our favorite races is our 18th Annual TMC Old Tucson Trail Run. Staged at the historic film set known as Old Tucson Studios, this trail race includes technical trails for experienced runners and smoother but still challenging desert terrain for trail newbies.

This year we're offering a new 8-mile race, while keeping the traditional 4-miler and the 1-mile Family Fun Run/Walk.

What You Get:

* First 750 registrants receive the commemorative sublimated souvenir shirt, with a customized design of Gates Pass and the Tucson Mountains, see here.

* Low pricing with a la carte add-ons, including breakfast burrito, souvenir medal, and Day Pass to Old Tucson

* Post-race cash bar with beer, spirits and more at Stage 2, near the Bitter Creek finish line

* $2 off for all SAR members.

* The 4-Mile race is part of 2026 Running Shop SAR Grand Prix.

Highlights

* Start/Finish at the Bitter Creek and High Chaparral sets.

* The 8-Miler and 4-Miler includes single track trails, Horse Poop Alley, dirt roads, washes, and the dusty Old Tucson Main Street (wheelchairs and strollers will find this very challenging)

* The 1-Mile Walk/Run course is less technical and loads of fun for walkers, joggers, and runners of all abilities (chairs and strollers should be fine on this trail, though chair athletes may have a difficult time navigating the terrain). 

* Free Lil' Partners 100 yard dash for lil' cowpokes

* Costume Contest: we'll hold a western-themed costume contest at the awards ceremony -- run in your western duds and try to win a costume contest prize

* Age Group and Overall Prizes: Gift certificates to The Running Shop for overall and age group winners 

Tentative Race Day Schedule: Sunday, February 22, 2026

• 7:00 - 8:30 am Packet pickup and race day registration
• 7:30 am 8-Mile Trail Run
• 9:15 am 4-Mile Trail Run
• 9:15 am 1-Mile Walk/Run
• Free Lil' Partners Kids 100 yard dash, starts at 10:15 am (approx)
• 11:15 am Event closes, with Day Pass entrance to Old Tucson beginning at 11:30

NOTE: we're still trying to work out the details for the race day schedule

Pricing:

Trail 8-Miler: $50 through race day, includes race shirt, finishing time, and more

Trail 4-Mile and Family Mile: $35 through November 30, then $45 through race day, includes race shirt, finishing time, and more

Children's Mile 14-and-under: $5, no shirt included

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