51st Annual TMC Saguaro National Park Labor Day 8-Miler
Don't worry - it's not yet sold out! About 350 slots remain
Hello SAR Community: Randy Accetta here, long-time race director for SAR's Saguaro National Park Labor Day Run, scheduled for Labor Day, September 5, 2022.

Registration is currently open for both the out-and-back 5k and the loop 8-miler. We've fixed the glitch in active.com that said the race was sold out, so you can go ahead and register now!

As always, thanks for being part of the SAR running community -- remember that the new SAR website is www.runsar.org. Not a member? Check out SAR member benefits here: https://runsar.org/membership/


The Saguaro Labor Day Run was the first race ever put on by SAR and this edition will be listed as the 51st Saguaro National Park Labor Day Run. If you have any questions please email or call me at 520-991-0733.

-- Randy Accetta, Race Director and Past-President, Southern Arizona Roadrunners
DETAILS
Date: Monday, September 5, 2022

Planned Schedule:
  • 8-Miler: 5:30 am: rolling start begins, with the 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
  • 5k: Group start at 6:35, closes at 6:40
  • Awards: 8:30, 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

Events: 8 Mile Run, 5k Run

Location: Saguaro National Park East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail Road.

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, 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

Final plans: Race weekend details will be announced in conjunction with the National Park Service and Pima County.



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, plus $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 an age-graded equivalent of 47:48 will receive $474.80 in cash on the barrelhead.
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


DISCOUNTS
SAR MEMBER Discount: Use code SARMEMBER for a $5 discount on registration fees.

National Park Service members receive $5 discount. Using online registration, please enter "NPS" as the discount code and include your verified Park Service membership number.

NOTE: only one discount available per registrant.

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.

Public Health and the Saguaro National Park
We will provide additional details on public health protocols on race weekend.

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.

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..." 

MORE INFORMATION

Thanks to Damion Alexander for the photos used in this email

For more information on the race, contact Race Director Randy Accetta at 520-991-0733 or randy@runtucson.net.

Thanks to the Running Shop for their long-time support of this iconic race.
NEXT UP FOR THE SOUTHERN ARIZONA ROADRUNNERS
AUGUST 20: Tucson 5k - Reid Park (new date)

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 - Pima Community College West

OCTOBER 23: TMC Biosphere 15k, 5k, and Cox Family Mile + FitKidz Mile

NOVEMBER 25: Thanksgiving Classic - Reid Park - registration information coming soon!