Run Tucson's Runner Highlights

Hello to our Run Tucson running and walking friends.

We hope your New Year is going well. For us, we're working on our upcoming events -- you can check out the Run Tucson event calendar below, including info on the $5 discount code for the April 23rd Earth Day 5k at the Biosphere 2.

In the meantime, our training programs are in full swing. The Workout Group is meeting in Tucson on Tuesday & Thursday mornings at 5:30 AM at the Rillito Fields with Coach Tia and T/Th evenings at 6 PM at Reid Park with Coach Tim. Contact tia@runtucson.net for more info.

For those not able to make a group workout or those who want more individualized support, Tia works with athletes online from near and far. Below, she summarizes some of the more recent results of the athletes she gets to team up with.

2022 Running Inspiration: Starting off the Year Hot!

By Tia Accetta

You have probably seen some hype around the 2 new American records in women's distance running over the weekend. Keira D'Amato set the American women's record in the Chevron Houston Marathon, by running a 2:19:12, and Sara Hall set the American women's record in the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, running a 1:07:15. Both women are in their late 30's and have been mastering their craft for 20+ years.

I want to give a shout out to some of our local Tucson athletes (and a few from out of town) who deserve hype for their race efforts over the weekend.

Charlie Ware (M35-39): Charlie finished 4th overall at the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon in a time of 2:34:45, averaging 5:54 pace over the 26.2 mile course. You may have seen Charlie flying over the trails in Bear Canyon and at ultra events. Now that he's a new dad, he's tapping into his speed and tearing it up on the roads. Keep an eye out for more marathons in Charlie's future.

Nele Lefeldt (F35-39): Nele is originally from Germany but has relocated to Houston, TX. She ran 2:59:59 on her home course at the Chevron Houston Marathon. Nele is now looking ahead to competing in the Ultra X World Championships in June. This is a multistage ultra event in western Slovenia. Nele will meet the challenge and cover 250km in 5 days. Let the fun begin!

Nicole Pearce (F 35-39): Nicole placed 1st female and 6th overall at the SAR Sun Run 10K in 38:09. After testing out her marathon legs at the Cal-International Marathon in December, running a 2:50:12, Nicole is working on getting her speed back before gearing up again for Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, June 18. Her next race is the Runner's Den Pancake Run-10K on Feb. 13, where she will be going after a 10K PR.

Caroline Mosley (F 30-34): Caroline finished 3rd female at the SAR Sun Run 10K in 38:59. She has been running some big mileage weeks to prep for the Mesa Marathon, Feb. 12, and was pleasantly surprised to find some turnover on Sunday at the end of a tough week. Caroline has been an inspirational part of the Workout Group since she moved to Tucson from DC in 2018.

Emily Maass (F 30-34): Long-time WOG member, Emily has relocated to Atlanta, GA but she will always be a Tucson girl at heart. Emily finished first female, 4th overall, at the Tsali Frosty Foot Fest Trail 30K, in North Carolina. She ran the 19 mile race in 2:29:14. Emily is taking advantage of the return of in-person racing and doing as many as she can, including the Publix Half Marathon in Atlanta (Feb.), before taking on Grandma's Marathon in June.

Whitney Penny (F 35-39): Whitney is just returning to running, only 7 weeks postpartum, and super motivated. She ran 19:53 in the SAR Sun Run 5K, placing 3rd female and 6th overall. Whitney has some pent up speed waiting to be unleashed while she focuses on a healthy and gradual come back. Her next race is the Runner's Den Pancake-5K on Feb. 13.

Shanna Langley (F 30-34): In her first race back, postpartum, Shanna broke the 2-hour half-marathon barrier with a 1:57:42 at the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Half Marathon. Shanna is connecting all the dots in her training life, including physical therapy, strength work and rest, to stay healthy and strong.

Elizabeth Miller: Elizabeth worked hard all summer in the Texas heat and humidity, only to have brutal conditions at the Chicago Marathon (her goal race). She bounced back strong and put in more work through the fall, still in record heat for Texas, and ran a 3:33:12 at the Chevron Houston Marathon. She is officially a Boston Qualifier!

Amelia Lapierre (F 1-14): Amelia ran 23:21 in the SAR Sun Run 5K, placing first in her age group. Amelia just loves to run! A cross country coach will be lucky to team up with this dedicated athlete as she begins her high school running journey next year.

Aric Accetta (M 15-19): Aric ran 20:28 in the SAR Sun Run 5K, placing first in his age group. He's been playing soccer for Salpointe for the last 3 months and this race was a painful reminder that it's time to get some endurance back for his first high school track season as a Lancer. (Yes, Aric is our son and, no, we do not coach him. He has amazing running coaches at Salpointe and they work their magic so Randy and I get to be his support crew.)

Next Up: Celebrate EarthDay with a 5k Run/Walk at the Biosphere 2 on April 23rd

EarthDay 5k Run/Walk at the Biosphere 2

Saturday Morning, April 23

Yippee! We're comin' back to the Biosphere 2 for Earth Day!

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, 2022.

Souvenir shirt, souvenir medal, free entry into the world-famous Biosphere 2, and more festivities for the whole family.

As a thank you for reading this email, use the coupon code "newsletter" and receive $5 off your registration, through the end of January.

See Details and Register Here

Thanks to TMC for everything it does for Southern Arizona - visit TMCNow for health care from your home

The TMC Now app gives you 24/7 access to physicians that are licensed to practice in Arizona through the convenience of phone, video, or mobile app visits. It's an affordable option for quality medical care.

2022 Run Tucson Event Schedule

2022 Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown

Register for the GabeZ Triple C and receive a special "Run Tucson" souvenir shirt, unique Gabe Z souvenir medal, and entry into three popular events:

June 4 TMC Meet Me Downtown 5k Run/Walk
September 18 TMC Tucson 10k, 5k Run/Walk
October 23 TMC Biosphere 15k and 5k Run/Walk, at the Biosphere 2

We continue to be grateful for the support of Ross Zimmerman, Emily Nottingham, and the entire Zimmerman family, allowing us to celebrate Gabe through these events.

Thanks to TMC, $10 of every Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown registration goes to BEYOND-Tucson, one of Tucson's leading public health advocates.

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

Saturday Night, June 4, 2022

Join us at the 16th Annual TMC Night Run and Walk!

We're psyched to get back to a nighttime event, with the 16th Annual TMC Meet Me Downtown, staged at Armory Park and the Children's Museum in the heart of Downtown Tucson.

We hope we can have a beer garden, food truck roundup, jumping castles, FitKidz race, live music, and more!

This will be the first-race of the three-race Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown, raising funds for the BEYOND-Tucson Foundation. Additional Beneficiaries include the Children's Museum, Educational Enrichment Foundation, Greater Tucson Leadership, and Cox Charities.

You Can Register Here

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK LABOR DAY 8-MILER

Monday morning, September 5, 2022

51st Saguaro National Park Labor Day Run

One of the only courses in the nation allowed on actual National Park land, the beautiful course rolls up and down the 8-mile paved road amid the lush Cactus Forest at the base of the Rincon Mountains.

We're hoping to add the 5k back into the mix!

Souvenir shirt to all registrants, plus entry into the Saguaro National Park. We at Run Tucson are proud to be the race directors for this Southern Arizona Roadrunners event.

TMC Tucson 10k and companion 5k

Sunday morning, September 18, 2022

Tucson's only fall 10k is back!

We'll be back for the 5th annual event, on the same beautiful course among the rolling hills of the Painted Desert in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains.

All participants will receive a race shirt and souvenir medal.

This is the 2nd leg of the 2021 Gabe Zimmerman Triple Crown.

TMC Biosphere 15k and 5k at the Biosphere 2

Sunday morning, October 23, 2022

NOW a 15k at the Biosphere 2, in Oracle, nestled against the western foothills of the mighty Catalina Mountains

Staged at the world-famous Biosphere 2, with a new distance of a 15k (9.3 miles) and a 5k, along with the Cox Family Mile.

Free Biosphere 2 entry for registrants!

The 3rd leg of the GabeZ Triple Crown will have goodies for all race registrants: souvenir coaster medal, cool race shirt, post-race fun, and more!

Beneficiaries include the Biosphere 2, BEYOND, and Team Hoyt.

Grand Canyon Trail Half Marathon

Saturday morning, November 5, 2022

4th Annual Grand Canyon Trail Half Marathon Run and 5k Run/Walk

Run or walk a half-marathon or 5k in the beautiful and rugged Kaibab National Forest, just south of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Souvenir race medal, colorful long sleeve shirt, race goodies, and more to commemorate your iconic journey through the trails near the South Rim.

Visitor discounts for hotels, food, and activities.

Join the Southern Arizona Roadrunners

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

www.runsar.org

Who Sends These? Run Tucson (www.RunTucson.net) is a local event production company for running/walking events in Southern 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.

In addition, 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, plus 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.