Thank you so much for signing up for the 55th Annual TMC Saguaro Labor Day Run, produced by the Southern Arizona Roadrunners, your local non-profit running club!

Below you'll find all sorts of details on the upcoming TMC Saguaro National Park Run. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with all the current information on schedules, maps, parking, bathrooms, prizes, and more.

Location Reminder: The race takes place at Saguaro EAST at 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail Rd. Click here for driving directions and parking info.

List of Registrants: You can find a current list of registrants by searching at the race registration page here.

Refunds and Deferrals: Unfortunately, at this point, refunds and deferrals are no longer allowed. If you can't make the race, please send a friend to snag your race goodies for you.

Sponsor Sale: The Running Shop is offering a special Labor Day Weekend Sale, so check out their awesome deals at 3055 North Campbell Avenue.

Race Strategy: If you've never run this race before, here are some helpful hints, courtesy of past champ, Tia Accetta:

• Start at a comfortable pace! Try to remain calm and relaxed throughout the first series of hills, enjoy the flattish-section near the 3 mile mark.
• Remember, the big hill has a couple of false summits -- so be prepared!
• If you're in the mood to get after it, start racing after mile 5. You'll be able to pass a lot of folks who worked too hard during the first 5 miles.
• Take water with you or take advantage of each water stop.
• Enjoy the setting and let the scenery inspire you.
• Work your way up each hill with a short and choppy step, so that you land on your forefoot and not your heel. Drive your arms, push off your toes, and lean into the hill.
• Remember wherever there is an up, there is always a down. Try to float the downhills, especially early in the race so that you don't beat up your legs.

OK -- see you next month. If you have any questions, please let me know!

-- Randy Accetta

Race Director and Past-President, Southern Arizona Roadrunners

Saturday, September 5, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Packet pickup at the Running Shop, 3055 N. Campbell Ave. Shirt sizing is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Yes: you can pick up the number and shirt for other people; please be mindful of the crowds.
• Yes: if you purchased an add-on medal, you can pick up your souvenir race medal at The Running Shop
• Yes: you can register on Saturday, cash or check only. Shirts are guaranteed to the first 750 registrants. Those who register after the 750 cap will be asked to pick up their shirt at the SAR tent after the race if any are remaining.
• Registration on September 5th will be done via RunSignup, but cash and check is accepted, too.
• Yes, The Running Shop is holding their annual Labor Day sale, with discounts on sale shoes, sale apparel, and regular apparel. 

Monday, September 7: Saguaro National Park East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail Rd.

5:00 am - 5:45 am: Packet pickup. All shirt sizing is first-come, first-served.

• If you purchased an add-on medal, you can pick up your souvenir race medal at the SAR packet pickup tent

NOTE: There is no in-person registration inside Saguaro National Park on race day.

5:30 am: 8-Mile Early Walk. This chip-timed start is solely for the people who have signed up for the early walk start. Early starters are NOT eligible for age group or overall awards. Early starters, please be sure to provide room on the road so that people can pass you. Early start closes at 5:35 am. As of August 19, 16 of you have signed up for this.

6:00 am: 8-Mile Run Start. This is the Open Start for all runners, with both so-called gun-time and chip-time. 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.

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.

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.

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

10:00 am - 2:00 pm: The Running Shop will be open for their Labor Day Sale from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm on Labor Day Monday.

September: Any remaining race shirts will be available at The Running Shop (3055 N. Campbell Ave.) 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.
• If you will take more than 2.5 hours, please use the early start option.
• Note: 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 a single starting time, marked by the so-called starter's start -- in this case, at precisely 6:30 am.
• Chip Time means that your official time begins when you cross the start-line mat and that your official time ends when you cross the finish-line mat.

Reminder: please use the provided safety pins to attach your race number to the front of your race day shirt or shorts.

Construction Ongoing: As you may know, Saguaro National Park East is in the midst of a major construction project, an $8 million dollar renovation of the parking and Visitor's Center. You can see details here.

We think we will be able to keep the same start/finish as always, but we'll let you know if anything changes.

Parking and Directions: Click here for driving directions and updates on where and how to park along the roadways.

Parking Reminder: 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.

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..."

8-Mile Course: The 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 hot and hilly, so be prepared. See the elevation charts and maps below.

In years past, runners have spotted rattlesnakes on the route, javelinas and coyotes nearby, and other wildlife. Please do NOT touch the wildlife.

8-Miler Water Stops will be at approximately 3, 5, and 7 miles in the 8-Miler. Please bring your own water and hydration as needed. Thanks to Mica Mountain HS Cross Country for all the help!

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 and be mindful of other runners passing you.

5K Water Stops: There will be a water stop with volunteers from the Team Purple alumni of the Tucson TriGirls at the Cactus Forest Trailhead, approximately the 1 and 2 marks in the 5K. They will be celebrating the life of our friend, Joanie Rogucki, so be sure to say hi!

No bicycles, wheelchairs, skateboards, roller skates or pets allowed on the 8 mile or 5K course.

Volunteers: Click here to volunteer before or after the race -- all volunteers are enrolled in the SAR volunteer program.

Bathrooms: There will be 12 Stamback 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 one portojohn on the 8-mile course near the overlook near Mile 4.

NOTE: The restroom lines go faster if you make a line for each one and you stand closer to the doors!

Please no NOT use the desert as a bathroom. Rattlesnakes and cactus may do some damage -- plus the NPS will fine you!

Headphones: Headphones are allowed but discouraged; please be mindful of other athletes, rattlesnakes, and Park Rangers.

Plus, rattlesnakes rattle for a reason -- you will want to hear 'em if they get angry...

We want this to be a fun, community event, so please be safe.

Strollers: The NPS permit allows strollers on the 5k course only. The 5k course still has steep up-and-downs and the possibility of high heat for the child.

Chair Athletes: The 5K would be moderately challenging for chair athletes, while the 8-miler is a demanding course with downhills possibly dangerous for chair athletes.

Pets Not Allowed: We love pets but they cannot be on the grounds of Saguaro National Park during the event. Certified service dogs are excepted.

Music: Thanks to DJ Clint for rolling the tunes and helping with announcements.

Post-Race Snacks: Thanks to Tucson Medical Center for providing post-race cookies, chips, and other salty-carbohydrate type snacks.

PRIZE MONEY AND AWARDS

The 8 Miler is part of The Running Shop SAR Grand Prix.

Gift Certificate Awards from The Running Shop

• 8 Mile Run: Top three overall male and female: 1, 2, 3, $40, $35, $30; Masters 1, $35. 
• 8 Mile Age Groups, top three male and female: U19 through 80+, in 5-year increments, AG 1, $25 gift card; AG 2, $20 gift card; AG 3, $10 gift card.
• 8 Mile: Top three finishers in the non-binary category receive gift cards to the Running Shop.
• Early start registrants are not eligible for age group or overall awards.

5K Walk/Run

• Top three overall male and female: 1, 2, 3, $30, $25, $20 gift card; Masters 1, $20.
• Age Groups: First Place in U10 through 80+ in ten-year increments, $15 gift card.

Beat Your Age: A long-standing Saguaro tradition is an award of $50 to the male and female who run fastest in minutes and seconds than their age. (For example, if a 60-year-old runs a 57:00 minute 8-mile race and 55-year-old runs 49 minutes, the 60-year-old would win the award.)

Course Records: $250 to the fastest man and woman who break the current course records:

• Nicholas Hilton: 41:33, 2018
• Katie James: 46:39, 2016

Race Director Challenge (RDC): 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 the gender-graded equivalent of 47:48 will receive $474.80 in cash on the barrelhead. (Note that the men's Course Record is 75 seconds faster than the RDC time, while the women's time is 69 seconds faster, an indication of the accuracy of the calculation using the Mercier Scale.)

• Note: Age group awards will be awarded based on chip-time beginning at the 6:00 am Open Start.
• Prize money and overall winner awards will be based on the "gun time" starting at the 6:00 am Open Start.

Thanks to the crew at The Running Shop for hosting pre-race packet pickup and for providing all the gift certificates for age group and overall awards.

SAGUARO BENEFICIARIES

The National Park Service: The National Park Service has been gracious about allowing us access to the beautiful park and in return SAR pays a per-person Park visitation fee.

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.

Weather: Most likely in the 80's at the start, possibly rising to triple digits later in the day.

From the National Park Service

HEAT EXHAUSTION - The result of dehydration due to intense sweating.

• Symptoms: Pale face, nausea, vomiting, cool and moist skin, headache, cramps.
• Treatment: Drink water with electrolytes, eat high-energy foods (with fats and sugars), rest in the shade for 30-45 minutes, and cool the body by getting wet.

HEAT STROKE - A life-threatening emergency where the body's heat regulating mechanisms become overwhelmed by a combination of internal heat production and environmental demands. Your body loses its ability to cool itself. Untreated heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.

• Symptoms: Flushed face, dry skin, weak and rapid pulse, high core body temperature, confusion, poor judgment or inability to cope, unconsciousness, seizures.
• Treatment: The heatstroke victim must be cooled immediately! Continuously pour water on the victim's head and torso, fan to create an evaporative cooling effect. Immerse the victim in cold water if possible. Move the victim to shade and remove excess clothing. The victim needs evacuation to a hospital. Someone should go for help while attempts to cool the victim continue.

HYPONATREMIA (water intoxication) - An illness that mimics the early symptoms of heat exhaustion. It is the result of low sodium in the blood caused by drinking too much water and losing too much salt through sweating.

• Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, altered mental states, confusion, frequent urination. The victim may appear intoxicated. In extreme cases seizures may occur.
• Treatment: Have the victim eat salty foods, slowly drink sports drinks with electrolytes, and rest in the shade. If mental alertness decreases, seek immediate help!

HYPOTHERMIA - A life-threatening emergency where the body cannot keep itself warm, due to exhaustion and exposure to cold, wet, windy weather -- probably not a concern at Saguaro, but in the event of freak weather, watch out for:

• Symptoms: Uncontrolled shivering, poor muscle control, careless attitude. Look for signs of the "umbles" - stumbling, mumbling, fumbling, grumbling.
• Treatment: Remove wet clothing and put on dry clothing, drink warm sugary liquids, warm victim by body contact with another person, protect from wind, rain, and cold.

Adapted from https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hike-smart.htm

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13: TMC Tucson 10K and companion 5K - Painted Hills in the Tucson Mountains, staged at Pima Community College West - Register Here

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26: SAR FitKidz at Sabino Canyon - free one-mile for children under 12! - Register Here

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27: Jim Click's Run 'n' Roll 8K and 1-Mile - staged at the University of Arizona - Register Here

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18: TMC A-Mountain Half-Marathon and 4-Miler, with free FitKidz and Family Mile, now staged near the Mercado Annex - Register Here

SUNDAY, November 1: Dave's Run for ALS 8K, 5K, and FitKidz Mile - Register Here

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26: Thanksgiving Cross Country Classic 5K and 1.5 mile fun run - Reid Park - Register Here