Welcome to the TMC Earth Day 5k Run and Walk, held at the beautiful Biosphere 2!
Grab a chair and settle in -- below are details on the schedule, route, goodies, directions, sponsors, and additional weekend discounts available to you.
If you have questions after reading through everything, please reach out to randy@runtucson.net.
Thanks all!
Randy and Tia from Run Tucson
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Saturday Morning, April 22
8:30 TMC Earth Day 5K at the Biosphere 2
9:45 Free Children's Dash
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Friday, April 21 at The Running Shop, 3055 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson
4:00 - 6:00 pm Packet pickup and in-person registration.
YES: T-shirt sizing given away on a first-come, first-served basis at packet pickup so that you can get the sizing you want when you arrive
YES: you can pick up the number and shirt of others -- if you have a large list, please be patient
YES: you can shop at the Running Shop
YES: people can still register on event weekend
NO: unfortunately, there are no refunds! Even if you can't make the race, come on by (or send a friend) to pick up the race goodies . . .
Saturday, April 22 at Biosphere 2, 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739
7:15-8:15 am Race day registration and packet pick up in the parking lot by the front entrance at the Biosphere 2.
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 medals and shirts given to late registrants.
10:15 Event wrap-up
Tour the Biosphere 2: 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.
Travel: Please drive safely and please consider carpooling -- it is about a 30 minute drive from mid-Tucson, 75 minutes from SkyHarbor Airport in Phoenix.
Post-Race Schwag: All remaining shirts and medals will be brought to the Running Shop and available for pickup between April 26 - May 15. To get the size you want, pick up your shirt in advance.
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For Folks New to This: We're glad to have first-timers with us at this great event! We hope you have a great time -- please don't be afraid to ask any of the volunteers for help!
Timing and Race Numbers: You will receive a race bib number at packet pickup, along with safety pins. Please wear your bib number on the front of your shirt so the timing system can catch the tag and the timer can see your number.
There will be a video of each finisher, so it's helpful to see your number.
Results will be found at www.roadrunnerracetiming.com after the race. Normally, they are posted almost-simultaneously, but due to internet connectivity, they may be delayed until early afternoon.
Volunteers: Thanks to the 20+ folks who have volunteered to help produce this event!
Bring the Kids! Strollers are allowed at this child-friendly event, with a free Kid's Dash & Kid's Zone.
Bathrooms: There will be four portojohns in the Biosphere 2 main parking lot, while another 6 portojohns will be on the Great Lawn near the start/finish line, including a chair-friendly portojohn. There are no bathrooms on the course.
Headphones: We urge you to ditch the headphones -- not only is it safer if we can all hear one another, but you can enjoy the scenery and talk with fellow participants.
Food and Drink: There will be a water stop at the 1.75 mile and 2.8 mile mark of the course.
At the finish line will be giveaway snacks from TMC, as well as SKRATCH LAB products.
Food Trucks: A couple of food trucks are scheduled to be on hand with delicious food available for purchase.
Public Safety: Thanks to AMR for providing an ambulance on site -- and thanks to Pinal County Sheriff for having officers on hand.
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Who's Coming?
About 450 of you have registered so far. Click here for the timer's list of pre-registered participants, as of April 18.
Over 50 out-of-state guests are coming from Washington, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Most of you are coming from all around Arizona, including Globe, the Phoenix Area, Sierra Vista and elsewhere in Southern Arizona.
(Personally, I'm especially happy to see a number of students and colleagues from the UArizona's McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship on the roster!)
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Terrain: The race starts and ends on grass, but it's mostly pavement, with a brief dirt section ... and, well, it's hilly in some sections...
The Start: The event starts on the grass of the Great Lawn, crosses some gravel, then drops down a steep hill before heading up another steep hill that passes the Biosphere 2 complex. There are a few speedbumps on this opening hill, so please keep an eye out for varied terrain.
The First Mile: After the first half-mile or so, you'll continue heading north on a mostly flat section. At one point, you'll go through some gates -- be mindful of the speedbump. You can decide whether to go through what we call the Mesquite Tree Forest or wind along the roadway.
At 8/10 of a mile, you'll take a sharp right turn and begin to drop downhill. Off to your left will be the Catalinas as you head downhill.
Mile 1-2: Right after the mile-mark near the bottom of the hill, you'll begin a gentle climb back up to the beautiful dirt road section, with the mountains to your left and the Biosphere 2 to your right. The second mile will be a bit twisty as you go past the historic ranch house, then swing downhill past the stables. Please be careful on this downhill -- don't slip out and go flying into the horse corral!
Mile 2 to the Finish: At the bottom of the hill, will be the water station, with volunteers from the UArizona Neuroscience student organization. From the water stop, you'll head south on a single-lane road. Please stay to the left as you head south, then stay left again after you turnaround and head back towards the Biosphere 2. The final stretch will head back up the hill to the finish line in the middle of the Great Lawn.
Chair Athletes: Chair athletes may find this a doable but challenging course, with a couple of steep hills and the dirt road.
Strollers: Strollers are allowed in the race, but please be mindful of the hills and ensure that you are tied to the stroller you're pushing. Please remember sun protection.
Accessibility: While the race course is accessible to all, please be mindful of hills and varied terrain. Much of the Biosphere 2 campus is wheelchair accessible, though certain areas of the property are not accessible due the steep terrain and the presence of stairs. The majority of the biomes, including the desert, savanna, ocean and rain forest, are all accessible by wheelchair or scooter.
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Arizona Zipline Adventures: The famed Arizona Zipline, about 20 minutes north of the Biosphere 2, is providing a discounted zipline experience. Apply the code EARTHDAY at the Zipline checkout and bring in your number to validate the discount. Offer valid April 1-30, 2023. See https://www.ziparizona.com to reserve your slot!
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We're psyched to have Slippery Slope playing for us this year, with their blend of Americana, folk, and earthy-tunes . . . |
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NEW TMC ONE AT LA CANADA AND LAMBERT |
We are beyond grateful to Tucson Medical Center for joining as the title sponsor for this unique event. TMC is providing post-race snacks and other goodies -- but they also make this whole thing possible.
Check out TMC locations throughout Southern Arizona, including a TMC One office on La Canada and Lambert for those in the Oro Valley/Catalina area.
See https://www.tmcaz.com/locations/ for a location near you.
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Special thanks to Sharon Bart at The Running Shop for providing gift certificates to age group and overall winners of the TMC Earth Day 5k. As much as we like trophies, we prefer gift certificates as awards because they provide such tangible benefit.
Overall Male and Female Runners: 1st = $40 gift certificate; 2nd = $35; 3rd = $30
First Male Female 40+: $30 gift certificate
Age Group, U20 - through 80+
Male, Female
AG 1: $20 gift cert
AG 2: $15 gift cert
AG 3: $10 gift cert
If you get an age group award, please note that your gift certificate must be used by October 22nd, with the actual winner of the gift certificate present at use.
A note on award categories: all athletes may choose either the male, female, or non-binary category. If you wish to not select a traditional gender category, you can leave this field blank in your registration. For this race we are providing age group awards and overall prizes in male and female categories.
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Photographs: Special thanks to Damion Alexander of Long Realty for taking photographs and providing images on his various pages.
Thanks to Evan Zavitz for photos and drone coverage!
DJ: Our longtime DJ can't make it, so the Long Realty team is bringing out David Tang to help with announcements and set the tone with rockin' start-line tunes!
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Cox Conserves goals are to send zero waste to landfill by 2024, and to be carbon and water neutral by 2034. With more than $100 million invested in sustainability and conservation projects, Cox is on track to meet their aggressive Cox Conserves goals.
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UArizona Student Organizations and Local Non-Profits: We hope to have on hand a handful of sustainability clubs and organizations from the University of Arizona, as well as the Friends of Ironwood Forest, local non-profit.
Discounted Visitor Pricing: All runners receive free entry to the Biosphere 2, while all all Earth Run spectators 13 years and older receive the reduced general admission fee of only $10 per person. Children 12 and under are free between the hours of 6am and 10am. Your admission not only gets you access to the grounds but is also good for the Biosphere 2 Experience.
The Biosphere 2 Experience app helps guides you around and through Biosphere 2 and includes never before seen photos and videos that visualize the science and 30-year history. Through science stories and interviews you'll have the opportunity to learn more about our amazing, world-class research as you traverse a safe (socially distanced) one-way path around the exterior and through the human habitat and wilderness areas of Biosphere 2. Your admission fee helps to support Biosphere 2’s education and research initiatives.
Self-paced App Guided Tour: The Biosphere 2 Experience is a self-paced app guided tour that will lead you through the rich history and current research initiatives of this remarkable facility. The Biosphere 2 app should be downloaded prior to arrival in order to get the most out of your visit. The Biosphere 2 Experience will take place both indoors and outdoors. Visitors should be prepared for the following physical requirements:
- 60 to 75-minute tour
- Approximately 100 stairs, both up and down
- 1-mile route to walk
- Varying weather conditions (Biosphere 2 Biomes are maintained as tropical environments, temperature and humidity inside the facility can reach the high 90’s)
Pets and Service Animals: While pets are not allowed inside Biosphere 2 or on the grounds, service animals that are trained to do a specific task are welcome. Please do not leave pets unattended in vehicles.
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TMC Meet Me Downtown 5K
Saturday night, May 27
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The TMC Meet Me Downtown Night Run and Festival of Miles is fun way to kick off hot summer running in Tucson! The downtown vibe comes alive especially when combined with running endorphins, bands, a beer garden, and, we hope, free ice cream!
The TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k and Festival of Miles is on the Southern Arizona Roadrunners annual calendar, part of the Running Shop Grand Prix, and includes a SAR FitKidz Mile.
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Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown |
This is a 3 race series starting with the TMC Meet Me Downtown 5K on May 27 the TMC Tucson 10K/5K on September 10, and the October 23rd TMC A-Mountain Half-Marathon and 4-Miler at the Mercado Annex at the base of A-Mountain. The Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown raises funds for the BEYOND-Tucson Foundation.
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Please carpool.
There will be parking in the Biosphere 2 parking lot, but it would help if participants carpooled to share the drive.
From Central Tucson to 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739
- From central Tucson, go north to River Road and turn left (heading west)
- Continue on River Road and turn right on Oracle Road/AZ Highway 77
- Drive north approximately 24 miles on Oracle Road/AZ Highway 77
- Turn right on to Biosphere 2 Road at Mile Post 96.5
From Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- After leaving the airport, follow the signs to I-10 E
- Take I-10 E toward Tucson, to Exit 185 and exit the interstate
- Turn left onto Highway 387 and continue past Coolidge until Highway 387 intersects with AZ Highway 79 near Florence
- Turn right on to Highway 79 and follow this until Oracle Junction where you turn left onto AZ Highway 77
- Drive north approximately 6 miles on AZ Highway 77
- Turn right on to Biosphere 2 Road at Mile Post 96.5
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For information about our events, the RRCA, and The Workout Group, contact Randy Accetta
(520) 991-0733
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For information about in-person, online, or group coaching, contact contact Tia Accetta.
(520)891-4369
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Run Tucson (www.RunTucson.net) is a local event production company for running/walking events in Arizona.
To promote our mission of making Tucson better through running, Run Tucson advocates for health & fitness, enhancing community engagement, and promoting the local economy. We make significant contributions to worthy charities, providing over $300,000 to local organizations over the years.
Our partners include the non-profit Southern Arizona Roadrunners, the Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce, Tucson Medical Center 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.
How Do I Get Off This List? You can hit the "unsubscribe" button below or you can email us at randy@runtucson.net.
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