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| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saguaro 8-Mile Walk | Other | Sep 6, 20275:30 AM | $40$45 after Oct 1, 2026 | 40 |
| Saguaro 8-Mile Run | Other | Sep 6, 20276:00 AM | $40$45 after Oct 1, 2026 | 550 |
| Saguaro 5k Run/Walk | 5K | Sep 6, 20276:05 AM | $40$45 after Oct 1, 2026 | 400 |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The Other fee goes up to $45 on Oct 1, 2026.
Online registration closes Sep 6, 2027, unless the race fills first.
At $40, entry is about 14 percent above a typical 5K in Arizona, which costs $35 right now.
A typical finisher at a 5K in Tucson runs 36:38, about 11:47 a mile, based on 27 races with published results. Women typically finish in 39:03 and men in 31:28.
Sunrise on race morning is at about 6:00 AM, and the Saguaro 8-Mile Walk starts at 5:30 AM. The start sits about 2,990 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Saguaro National Park East, Tucson, AZ 85730
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. Course maps are the organizers' own.
Aggregated from official results (Roadrunner Race Timing) for TMC Saguaro National Park Labor Day 8-Miler/5k. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
At the 2026 Saguaro 8-Mile Run, the fastest tenth finished in 1:02:27 or better, the top quarter in 1:10:33, and half the field in 1:21:28; the last tenth came in after 1:47:05.
At the 2026 Saguaro 5k Run/Walk, the fastest tenth finished in 26:22 or better, the top quarter in 30:25, and half the field in 36:39; the last tenth came in after 53:44.
At the 2026 Saguaro 8-Mile Walk, the fastest tenth finished in 1:39:39 or better, the top quarter in 1:56:13, and half the field in 2:18:10; the last tenth came in after 2:57:37.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 1:12:28 | 1:09:58 |
| 20-29 | 56:40 | 52:03 |
| 30-39 | 57:56 | 52:01 |
| 40-49 | 1:03:56 | 56:15 |
| 50-59 | 1:13:36 | 59:23 |
| 60-69 | 1:20:53 | 1:07:12 |
| 70+ | n/a | 1:16:30 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
Where a finish time would have placed in 2026.
About the same size since 2024.
All events combined, from official results.
From 2024 to 2026, the field went from 422 to 420 finishers, and the median time dropped from 1:22:56 to 1:21:28.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 420 (+3%) | 1:21:28 | under 1:02:27 | 45:56 |
| 2025 | 407 (-4%) | 1:22:59 | under 1:02:29 | 45:43 |
| 2024 | 422 | 1:22:56 | under 1:03:18 | 46:30 |
From each year's official results for the Other; virtual options are left out.
About average for Arizona 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2026 5K field finished under 30:25, against 30:59 in a typical Arizona 5K, so times here are about average.
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.
Around September 6 the day usually runs from 75°F at dawn to 98°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 8% of days. Cold snaps dip to 71°F and hot years reach 102°F.
Based on 66 days within a week of the date over the last 6 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
What the organizers of TMC Saguaro National Park Labor Day 8-Miler/5k cover on their registration page, in brief.
Course
Click here for a dynamic online version of the 8-mile course: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2586975. Click here for a dynamic online version of the out-and-back 5k course: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2586977.
Parking and travel
Rincon Mountain District - East. 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Arizona 85730. (520) 733-5153. Event parking is alongside neighborhood streets: Old Spanish Trail, Freeman Rd, and Escalante. Do not block driveways. Be mindful of…
Parking and travel
The National Park Service and Pima County Department of Transportation are both great friends of this race, but they're worried about public safety on the roads near the Park. NOTE: If you need special parking accommodations for…
Shirt and medal
We will announce the 2025 race shirt as soon as we have the design. For 2024, the first 750 participants received a blue technical shirt with this retro logo in yellow, highlighting the sunrise start through the Saguaro cactus forest…
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
September 10 Update: Thanks to all who came out it looks like about $2000 will be provided to the Friends of Saguaro and another $3,000 to the Children's Fitness Fund.
1) Race Photos can be found at SAR sponsor Damion Alexander's photo page here.
2) Here is a link to the race report that was emailed to all registrants, but in the meantime the first round of photos can be found on Damion Alexander's Facebook page here.
3) Click here for all 8 Mile and 5k race results.