TMC Arizona Distance Classic Explained

Hello Run Tucson folks from Southern Arizona and around the country.

We had a great time at the TMC Old Tucson Trail Run this past weekend. Race results are here and race photos can be found here.

Next up: we at Run Tucson are working with the Southern Arizona Roadrunners to help them produce the March 2nd TMC Arizona Distance Classic, including a Half Marathon, a Quarter Marathon, and a 5k Run/Walk.

Below, you can check out an FAQ on the TMC AZDC.

Questions? Track us down!

Cheers,

Randy and Tia Accetta

randy@runtucson.net | tia@runtucson.net

FAQ on TMC Arizona Distance Classic

Q: Your graphic says the AZDC is back. Where did this race come from, where did it go, and what do you mean it's back?

A: Well, in brief, about 20 years ago John Bingham from Chicago and David Babner from Ohio identified Oro Valley as a beautiful location for a new race.

The original founders produced the event in various forms for about 15 years. The race was sold right before COVID, and then, like with many events around the world, it fell apart during the COVID public health crisis.

Q: Now it's back. Why?

A: Last year, the Southern Arizona Roadrunners purchased the race and website arizonadistanceclassic.com from the most recent owner.

SAR's goal is to bring the event back to prominence, promoting regional tourism, highlighting running and walking, and raising funds for St. Luke's Home.

Q: What are the events?

A: You can pick from three different distances:

Half-Marathon: The road route is smooth and hilly, with gorgeous views of the Catalina Mountains and the nearby Honeybee Canyon area.
Quarter Marathon: This rarely-raced distance of 6.55 miles is a great chance to get a personal best.
5k Run/Walk: The perfect distance for an enjoyable morning stroll or speedy dash.
See route maps and details here

Q: What goodies do we get?

A: In addition to the race day experience, here's the swag plan:

The first 1000 registrants receive the colorful race shirt.
All 5k, Quarter Marathon, and Half Marathon finishers receive the special commemorative race medallion, with spinning centerpiece.

Q: Do you have a title sponsor yet?

A: Glad you asked -- We're thrilled to announce that TMC Health has joined as the title sponsor! Check out their website at https://www.tmcaz.com/ for their full network of locations and services.

Q: How is Run Tucson involved?

A: SAR has asked us at Run Tucson to be the race directors, so we've been working with a SAR Board of Directors sub-committee to get this race ready.

This is a SAR-owned event, but we at Run Tucson have helped design the updated course, helped manage the souvenir race medal and the race shirt and put together the race day plan, with food trucks, music, and more.

Q: Our company wants to be like TMC. How can we be involved?

A: Glad you asked, too! Contact randy@runtucson.net for last-minute sponsorship opportunities.

Q: Who else is involved with AZDC?

A: We've been working closely with Roche Diagnostics, the Town of Oro Valley, the OVPD, the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, Golder Ranch Fire District, the El Conquistador Resort, the Arizona Parks Store, and others in the Oro Valley community.

Ridgway Financial and Rightsure Insurance have provided funding for the event. The Running Shop has been super-involved from course planning, to packet pickup, to sponsorship.

Starlight DeeJays will be on hand, Damion Alexander at Long Realty will take photos. Natural Grocers, Arizona Pristine Roofing, Skratch, and StretchLab will be vendor sponsors. Roadrunner Race Timing will be the timing company.

Finally, an anonymous donor affiliated with St. Luke's home has provided a major backstop funding for the event, enabling it to move forward.

Q: You said something about discounts?

A: SAR members receive a 10% discount on the AZDC. See www.runsar.org for membership details.

Highlights:

Vendor expo and food trucks
Prize Money to top runners in the Half Marathon thanks to Ridgway Financial
Age group awards of Running Shop gift certificates to first place age group finishers in the Half-Marathon, Quarter Marathon, and 5k, with souvenir items to age group 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the Half-Marathon, Quarter Marathon, and 5k
Souvenir clothing for sale at super-low pricing

Saturday, March 1 Schedule for Packet Pickup and Registration

10am - 1:30 pm: Packet pickup and registration at The Running Shop, 3055 North Campbell, mid-town Tucson

Sunday morning, March 2 Schedule:

5:30 am: Race day packet pickup and registration begins in the Roche Diagnostic Parking Lot
6:15: Half-Marathon registration closes
6:15: Nearby roadways close and parking near the start closes
6:30 am: TMC Half-Marathon Start
6:45 am: All Quarter and 5k registration closes
7:00 am: TMC Quarter Marathon and 5k Combined Start
9:30 am: Approx time for Quarter Marathon and 5k Awards
10:00 am: Approx time for Half Marathon Awards
10:00 am: TMC Half-Marathon Course Closure, Finish Line Closes
11:00 am: Most local roadways open

Local Tourism #1: Check out the details on discounted pricing at Hilton El Conquistador Resort, an easy 10 minute drive to the race start line.

Local Tourism #2: enjoy a 15% discount for zipline tickets and 10% off burgers at the super-fun Arizona Zipline Adventures, in nearby Oracle. When booking online at www.ziparizona.com, apply the code AZFUN at checkout and bring in your number/registration info to validate the discount! Offer valid on the weekend of March 1-2, 2025.

Local Tourism #3: Check out the National Park Stores Trunk Show / Mata Ortiz Pottery taking place on race morning just steps north of the start/finish line. Click here for details.

Next From Run Tucson

TMC Earth Day 5k Run/Walk at the Biosphere 2

Saturday Morning, April 19

Biosphere 2 for the 4th Annual TMC Earth Day 5k!

We had so much fun up in Oracle that we're heading back to the northern foothills of the Catalina Mountains to celebrate Earth Day, 2025.

Live music, free entry into the world-famous Biosphere 2, and more festivities for the whole family.

Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown

Three Events, One Low Price

Be part of the 2025 Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown: Honoring the late Gabe Zimmerman, this is a three race series supported by TMC and providing funding for BEYOND-Tucson.

Your discounted Triple Crown price includes a special Triple Crown shirt, a Triple Crown commemorative award, and entry to three separate events:

Saturday, May 31: TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k Night Run/Walk or Festival of Miles in dynamic Downtown Tucson

Sunday: September 7: TMC Tucson 10k and companion 5k, staged at Pima Community College West in the Desert Hills at the foot of the Tucson Mountains

Sunday, October 19: TMC A-Mountain Half-Marathon, A-Mountain 4-Mile Run/Walk, and Family Mile, staged at the Mercado Annex.

TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k Night Run + Festival of Miles

Saturday Night, May 31

Make plans for the 19th 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 beer garden, live music, food truck roundup, and after-party at Hotel Congress.

The TMC 5k is part of the SAR's 2025 Running Shop Grand Prix. The Festival of Miles includes the Open Mile, Free High School Mile, and Free SAR FitKidz Mile.

The Festival of Miles 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.

Thanks to TMC for everything it does for Southern Arizona. Click on the image below for a link to their jobs site . . .

Join the Southern Arizona Roadrunners

We are grateful for our 25+ year friendship with SAR, one of the best running clubs in the nation.

Check out the great community programs offered by our local running club, the Southern Arizona Roadrunners. Check out their upcoming events at www.runsar.org.

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.