Hello Run Tucson!

We hope your weekend went well, wherever you are.

RRCA Coaching: We at Run Tucson spent our last four days on Zoom teaching the RRCA Coaching Certification course -- actually, 4 of us spent a total of 38 hours teaching 2 courses for 75 runners.

Class attendees included runners of all abilities who want to start a coaching business or volunteer, a Runner's World Senior Editor, and a 2x Olympic rower. Interested in learning more about run coaching? Check out the RRCA Coaching Program details here.

Earth Day: As you can see, we value the pursuit of information through education, research, and conversation. Thus, we're especially proud to produce next month's charity run/walk, the TMC Earth Day 5k at the Biosphere 2.

In its own small way, this event celebrates a global Earth Day that is focused on inspiring action to protect the planet and its resources.

We're also thrilled to hold next month's TMC Earth Day 5k in partnership with the Biosphere 2, a science research facility that advances research in their unique facilities. The folks at the Biosphere 2 conduct interdisciplinary science education and foster leadership initiatives focused on developing scalable solutions for our planet and beyond.

Watershed Management Group: Speaking of education, if you're in Tucson you should set aside Monday evening, March 24 at 5:30 pm to visit with our friends at Watershed Management Group,  whose goal is to develop community-based solutions to ensure the long-term prosperity of people and health of the environment.

Our friends at WMG are holding an open house on March 24th to discuss possible Board service, the Docent program, the River Run Network, and other opportunities to engage at their Living Lab and out in the community. They'll have finger foods and refreshments. 

For info on the open house, click here -- for info on their future events, click here.

TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k: On our end, we're turning our attention to the May 31st TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k Night Run and Walk and the Festival of Miles. We'll have upcoming exciting news about the team discount, the band, the beer garden, and more.

OK -- have a good week of running and walking!

Randy and Tia Accetta

randy@runtucson.net | tia@runtucson.net

Run or walk on the hidden roadways of the Biosphere 2, against the northern foothills of the Catalina Mountains.

What you get:

• Soft souvenir race t-shirt with colorful 2025 race logo guaranteed to first 600 registrants
• Free day pass to the Biosphere 2, a $29 value for adults
• Discounted Day Pass for friends and family
• Timed race with results by Roadrunner Race Timing
• Overall and age-group awards from The Running Shop
• Snacks from TMC, post-race hydration from SkratchLabs
• Food trucks for additional purchases + mini-vendor expo
• Kids dash with old medal awards

Plus:

• Opportunity to purchase optional souvenir race medal

• Hotel reservation discount to the beautiful El Conquistador Hilton Resort tucked against the Catalina Mountains in Oro Valley

• After-party fun: 15% discount for zipline tickets, and 10% off burgers at the super-fun Arizona Zipline Adventures, in nearby Oracle. When booking online, apply the code EARTHDAY at checkout and bring in your number/registration info to validate the discount! Offer valid April 1-30, 2025.

Schedule

Friday, April 18

4:00 - 6:00 pm Packet pickup and in-person registration at The Running Shop, 3055 North Campbell, Tucson

Saturday, April 19

7:15-8:15 am Race day registration and packet pick up at Biosphere 2, 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739 

8:30 am Start time for TMC Earth Day 5k Run/Walk

8:30 or so: Food trucks, with snacks and drinks available for purchase

9:45 am Free Kids Dash on the Great Lawn

10:00 am Awards, courtesy of the Running Shop. Remaining shirts available to late registrants, first-come, first-served.

10:15 Event wrap-up

Ongoing: All registrants can visit Biosphere2 on their own -- no need for a formal tour! All non-running guests can purchase Biosphere 2 admission for the discounted rate of $10 (before 8:30 am) and all children under 12 are free.

Race fee: $40

Register Here

For a few years now, race participants have donated to the Biosphere 2 Ocean Reef Research Project. Here's what the folks at Biosphere 2 say about their project:

We're launching an innovative program that will transform coral reef research by combining observational and experimental approaches in a state-of-the-art research system. A key step in advancing the Biosphere 2 Ocean (B2O) for coral reef studies is enhancing the amount and quality of light available to the reef.

Currently, light levels in the B2O are lower and more selective than in natural reef environments.

To address this, we’re redesigning the B2O with a new framework of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) trusses that will support up to 180 halogen and LED lights. This upgrade will ensure optimal lighting across all experimental zones—from shallow lagoons and reef crests to deeper reef environments—creating a more realistic and controlled setting for cutting-edge coral reef research.

How Do I Get Off This List? You can hit the "unsubscribe" button below or you can email us at randy@runtucson.net.

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.

Why Am I on This List? You've participated in one of the events we've produced, either one of our charity running events in Arizona, or as part of Meet Me at Maynard's, Meet Me Wednesday's, Meet Me Downtown PHX.