2023 SOUTHERN ARIZONA RACES
Welcome back EXFO readers! Thank you for checking in. In this post, I highlight several local races that you could participate in. They vary in difficulty level, cost, and distance. I assigned each race an “EXFO RATING” to indicate the difficulty level.
My hope is that you see one that looks appealing to you, sign-up, and commit to training for it! Once you’ve made the financial commitment, chances are you’ll be more apt to follow through. Comment below which one looks appealing to you or which other local races you’ve completed that you would recommend! Sidenote, I registered for one of them already - read on to find out which one. We can run it together.
Don’t know where to start? Schedule a free, 20-minute, virtual consultation with me. You can self-schedule the consult here.
TUCSON SHAMROCK HALF-MARATHON
EXFO Rating: All levels
March 18th
7:30 AM
Crossroads at Silverbell District Park in Marana
Description from the website: “The Tucson Shamrock Half Marathon, 10K, 5K. The 5K distance will feature a 'Chase the Leprechaun' for 2023!
A leprechaun will be set loose on the course for all of our participants to find. Any participant to pass the leprechaun and finish the race will receive a prize at the finish line. No additional registration required. Open to all 5K participants.“
I shy away from kitschy races but this sounds stupid fun!Also, this is one of the only longer distances I could find locally in the spring.
Cost: 5K $35, 10K $45, Half-Marathon $75 (price increases Feb. 28th!).
Sign up here.
16th ANNUAL ARIZONA TRAIL RACE
EXFO Rating: Advanced
Feb. 5th
7:30 AM
16721 E. Old Spanish Trail Vail, AZ US 85641
Description from the website: “Fleet Feet is proud to present the 16th Annual Arizona Trail Race, Southern Arizona’s premier trail running event. This unique eight-mile race features the beautiful landscape of the Arizona Trail within Colossal Cave Mountain Park and great amenities. Your race starts and finishes at La Posta Quemada Ranch, located inside the park, with participants following a gorgeous, yet challenging route. (Trail-specific running shoes are strongly recommended.)
Due to the nature of a single track trail and our desire to minimally impact the land, the ArizonaTrail Race will be limited to 250 runners.”
I WILL BE RUNNING THIS ONE! JOIN ME!
Cost: $65 (as of 1.6.23)
Sign up here.
SABINO CANYON SUNSET RUN
EXFO Rating: Moderate
April 8th
5:30-5:45 PM
5700 N Sabino Canyon Rd Tucson, AZ US 85750
Description from the website: “This unique 7.4 mile race is designed to capitalize on the majestic nature of Sabino Canyon to provide a unique opportunity to experience the challenges of a great race in a truly magnificent setting.
This race sells out quickly every year! We are restricted to a certain number of registrants so we cannot do any REFUNDS, SUBSTITUTIONS, REPLACEMENTS or WAIT LIST.
Registration will open at 8am Mountain time on Feb 1, 2023”
Cost: $50
HIMMEL PARK RUN
EXFO Rating: All levels
EVERY SATURDAY
8 AM (Nov.-Mar.)
1000 N Tucson Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716
Description from the website: “A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!
Please register before you first come along. Only ever register with Parkrun once and don't forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode. If you forget it, you won't get a time.”
Cost: $0 !!!
Sign up here.
