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TMC Earth Day 5K at Biosphere 2 2027

Date
Saturday, April 17, 2027
Start time
8:30 AM start (Phoenix)
Entry fee
From $12 · goes up to $45 on Apr 1, 2027
Included with entry
Includes a shirt
Fundraising
Takes optional donations when you register
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Registration is open.

Likely to sell out. 686 finished the 5K in 2026, and this year's cap is 700.

We earn a small commission when you register through this link, at no cost to you. Details

Official race website

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Events and entry fees

EventDistanceWhenEntry feeCap
Children's Discount5KApr 17, 20278:30 AM$12100
TMC Earth Day 5k Run/Walk5KApr 17, 20278:30 AM$40$45 after Apr 1, 2027700

Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.

Register on RunSignup

The 5K fee goes up to $45 on Apr 1, 2027.

Race day planning

Entry fee schedule

  • Children's Discount: $12 until Apr 17.
  • TMC Earth Day 5k Run/Walk: $40 until Apr 1, then $45 until Apr 17.

Online registration closes Apr 17, 2027, unless the race fills first.

How the price compares

At $12, entry is about 66 percent below a typical 5K in Arizona, which costs $35 right now.

What a typical finish looks like

A typical finisher at a 5K in Arizona runs 36:32, about 11:46 a mile, based on 82 races with published results. Women typically finish in 39:22 and men in 31:47.

Light and altitude

Sunrise on race morning is at about 5:52 AM, and the Children's Discount starts at 8:30 AM. The start sits about 4,100 feet above sea level, high enough that most runners from lower ground run noticeably slower.

Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.

Start location and course

32540 S. Biosphere Road, Oracle, AZ 85623

The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.

686
finishers
41:56
median (13:30 /mi)
19:30
winning time
62% / 38%
women / men
median 41:5621:331:26:45
Finish times, fastest to slowest. Each bar is a slice of the field; the dashed line is the median.

Aggregated from official results (Roadrunner Race Timing) for TMC Earth Day 5K at Biosphere 2. Individual finisher names are not stored here.

How fast do you need to be at TMC Earth Day 5K at Biosphere 2?

In 2026, the fastest tenth finished in 27:41 or better, the top quarter in 33:22, and half the field in 41:56; the last tenth came in after 1:03:13.

Third place by age group, 2026 TMC Earth Day 5k Run/Walk
AgeWomenMen
Under 2029:3826:32
20-2924:4120:59
30-3925:3022:10
40-4926:5425:38
50-5931:2924:33
60-6931:0430:40
70+37:4629:00

Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.

What would my time get me?

Where a finish time would have placed in 2026.

Finishers by year

Up 12 percent since 2025.

All events combined, from official results.

TMC Earth Day 5K at Biosphere 2 5K year by year

From 2025 to 2026, the field went from 611 to 686 finishers, and the median time rose from 39:12 to 41:56.

YearFinishersMedianFastest tenthWinner
2026686 (+12%)41:56under 27:4119:30
202561139:12under 27:0617:31

From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.

How fast is it?

Slower than most Arizona 5Ks

The fastest quarter of the 2026 5K field finished under 33:22, against 30:59 in a typical Arizona 5K, so times here run 8 percent slower.

Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.

Typical race-day weather

Around April 17 the day usually runs from 54°F at dawn to 82°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 0% of days. Cold snaps dip to 48°F and hot years reach 88°F.

Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.

From the race's page

What the organizers of TMC Earth Day 5K at Biosphere 2 cover on their registration page, in brief.

Parking and travel

Driving Directions, Driving Maps, and Parking

Address: 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739. You can park in the main visitor lot at the Biosphere 2. Please carpool. There will be parking in the Biosphere 2 parking lot, but it would help if participants carpooled to share the drive…

Parking and travel

Participant Discounts to El Conquistador Hilton Hotel and Arizona Zipline Advent

Discounted hotel rooms at El Conquistador Hilton: $195 plus fees, available Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19. The famed El Conquistador Tucson is a Hilton Resort nestled against the western edge of Pusch Ridge, a mere 20 minute…

Shirt and medal

Children's Running: 2 options

There are two options for kids: 1) after the race, we'll hold a free kids dash for children of all ages. They'll do a loop around the Great Lawn and we expect to have previous race medals to hand out to all kids. 2) we also offer a $10…

Rules and FAQ

Discounted visitor pricing, no pets on site, and other visitor details

Discounted visitor pricing, service animals welcome, no pets on site, and other visitor details. Discounted Visitor Pricing: All runners receive free entry to the Biosphere 2, while all all Earth Run spectators 13 years and older receive…

Full details on the race's RunSignup page

Race details

Where
32540 S. Biosphere Road, Oracle, AZ 85623Map
Course
Road
Start elevation
About 4,100 feet
Included with entry
Souvenir T-Shirt
Donations
Accepted when you register
Distances
5K
Editions
2027 (Apr 17, 2027), 2026 (Apr 18, 2026), 2025 (Apr 19, 2025), 2024 (Apr 20, 2024), 2023 (Apr 22, 2023), 2022 (Apr 23, 2022)

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Quick answers

When is TMC Earth Day 5K at Biosphere 2?
Saturday, April 17, 2027, starting at 8:30 AM.
How much does it cost?
Entry starts at $12 before processing fees, and rises to $45 on Apr 1, 2027.
When does registration close?
Online registration closes Apr 17, 2027, unless the race fills first.
Is the entry fee high for Arizona?
At $12, entry is about 66 percent below a typical 5K in Arizona, which costs $35 right now.
Do runners get a shirt or medal?
Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
Can I donate to a cause when I register?
Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
What distances can I run?
5K.
How big is it, and how fast?
In 2026, 686 runners finished the TMC Earth Day 5k Run/Walk; the median finish was 41:56 and the winner ran 19:30.
Does it sell out?
It can. 686 runners finished the 5K in 2026, close to this year's cap of 700, so register early.
Is it a fast course?
The fastest quarter of the 2026 5K field finished under 33:22, against 30:59 in a typical Arizona 5K, so times here run 8 percent slower.
Where does it start?
32540 S. Biosphere Road, Oracle, AZ 85623.

From the organizers

2027 Registration Open

Celebrate Earth Day with purpose and adventure at the TMC Earth Day 5K! Set against the majestic backdrop of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this unique event invites runners and walkers of all ages to explore the hidden backroads of the world-famous Biosphere 2.

Whether you are pushing for a personal record or enjoying a scenic family walk, our rolling 3.1-mile course offers stunning desert vistas, culminating in an exciting finish on the iconic Great Lawn, set against the iconic architecture of the Biosphere 2.

Free souvenir shirt for all registrants with a special add-on commemorative medal for sale, too!

Event Highlights & Registration Details

Event Date: Saturday, April 18th

Read the full description on RunSignup