Run through the Sonoran desert on this beautiful trail outside of western Tucson. This course is a hybrid between road and trail, taking you through the secluded Tucson Mountain Park, just below the Saguaro NP West. You'll finish at Old Tucson Movie Studio where dozens of classic westerns were filmed!
To get prepared for this race, please read our race guide and listen to the audio version of the guide. Both resources provide a comprehensive overview of what to expect for this event.
When you read the Race Guide, please pay special attention to the following pages:
Page 2-3: Race Expo + Bib Pick-up
Page 4-5: Half Marathon Race Details
Page 5: Half Marathon Map + Elevation
Page 6: Half Marathon Parking + Spectator Info
Page 7: Cup-free Policy
Toward the end of the guide, we share how you can participate in the Explorer Club to get suggestions on what to see and do while you're in the area. When you complete the Explorer Club challenge you earn a special badge (in addition to your race medal) for completing it! Learn more here.
Read the Guide
Listen to Audio GuideTS-IUK-SHAN: A MOJAVE OASIS
Tucson was first visited by the Paleo Indians who farmed and hunted along the Santa Cruz River. It was later inhabited by the Hohokam people. According to archaeologists, evidence found throughout the park likely shows that the Tucson Basin is the oldest continuously inhabited area in the United States. The name Tucson derives from that given to Sentinel Mountain by the Tohono O’odham Indians, Ts-iuk-shan, referring to the base of the mountain being darker than its summit. Spanish pronunciation yielded Tuqui Son or the current Tucson.
Fun Facts
- 14% of you are running your first half marathon
- For 58% of you, this is your first time visiting Saguaro National Park
- We have runners from 47 states and 3 countries