Saguaro National Park Labor Day 8-Miler/5k

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Weather: most likely in the high 70's at the start, rising to triple digits later in the day.

Headphones: headphones are discouraged; please be mindful of other athletes, rattlesnakes, and Park Rangers.

Strollers:  The 5k is fine for strollers but the 8-miler is probably not a great idea for pushing a young child, with lots of steep up-and-downs and the possibility of high heat for the child in the last few miles of the race once the sun comes out.

Chair Athletes: The 5k would be moderately challenging for chair athletes, while the 8-miler is a demanding course with downhills possible dangerous for chair athletes.

Pets Not Allowed: We love pets but they cannot be on the grounds of Saguaro National Park East between 5am - 9am.  Service animals are excepted.  See here for details on NPS pet policies.

Parking: 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, so please drive slowly as you approach the National Park, watch for cyclists, and watch for your fellow pedestrians. Please follow the posted rules and be safe. 

• Please consider car-pooling to reduce the vehicle footprint on the roadways. A drop-off section is located in front of the entrance.
• Parking is available on the sides of the roads, on Freeman, Old Spanish Trail, and Escalante.
• There is NO parking in the National Park.
• Do not park in driveways, do not park near hydrants, do not block traffic.
• Here's what the National Park Service has said: "please pay attention to the NO PARKING signs along Old Spanish Trail! We'd rather not have to cite and tow folks who are blocking sight lines and bike lanes..." 

Bathrooms: There will be 12 ACE portojohns in the NPS parking lot near the starting line, so please allow enough time to use the restroom before you begin the race.

• There will be one portjohn on the 8-mile course near, near the overlook near Mile 4.
• Please do NOT use the desert as a bathroom. Rattlesnakes and cactus may do some damage -- plus the NPS will fine you!