The Tucson Marathon Family Fitness Fest is presented by the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Canyon Ranch Center for Prevention & Health Promotion at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. The Marathon, Marathon relay and Half marathon are held on Saturday, December 10.
The 10K promises to be fun, fast and exciting event. The unique criterium style format is exactly six laps on the UA Mall. Walkers are allowed as long as you are aware the 1-Mile event will begin on the same course at 10:30 am. The 10K will be chip timed. Awards will be giving to the top 3 male and female finishers.

Back by popular demand, the 10K Relay is a unique criterium style relay. You must have six runners and six names to register a team. Everyone runs one lap of the UA Mall with a baton. There are no age or gender groups for this race so get your fastest milers together and run like you stole something. Awards will be given to the top three fastest teams.

The 5K course takes runners of all ages and abilities around the UA Mall. This is a very safe, flat and fast course, perfect for families and friends to run together. Walkers and wheelchairs are welcome. Awards will be given to the top 3 male and female finishers.

The 1-Mile Fun Run for kids is one lap on the Mall on the UA campus. Every child will receive a finisher’s medal and shirt. Parents are welcome to run with their kids but will not get a bib or t-shirt. Kid’s activities will be held on the Mall, 8:00 am. – 11:30 am.

Elementary schools, middle schools, junior high schools and high schools in Tucson are invited to participate as a team in the 1 Mile Hoodoo Cup Challenge. You must have at least ten runners to sign up. We’ll take the ten fastest times to determine the winner. The winning school will earn the perpetual (traveling) Hoodoo Cup. It will stay at your school until next year when you can come back to defend your title.

Run the 5K on Saturday, December 3 at the University of Arizona and the Damascus Bakeries Half Marathon the following week, on Saturday, December 10. Participants will wear a different bib and get a different shirt for each event. All finishers will receive a separate “Fiesta Challenge” medal at the finish of the half marathon in addition to the 5K and Half Marathon medal. Individual results will be posted for each event along with combined results for the Fiesta Challenge. Pick up your bib and goodies for both events at the same time on Saturday, December 3 before the start of the 5K.
- 5K on Dec. 3
- Half Marathon on Dec. 10

This year, run the 10K on Saturday, December 3 at the University of Arizona and the Full Marathon on Saturday, December 10. The 10K and the Marathon are a week apart, making the Saguaro 52K Challenge more attainable for many runners, particularly locals. For some, the 10K could be an ideal taper run a week before the marathon. Participants in the Challenge will wear a different bib for each race and receive a shirt specific to each event. All finishers will collect a separate “Saguaro Challenge” medal at the finish of the marathon in addition to the 10K and Marathon medals. Individual results will be posted for each event along with combined results for the Saguaro Challenge. Participants will pick up their bibs and goodies for both events at the same time on Saturday, December 3 before the start of the 10K.
- 10K on Dec. 3
- Marathon on Dec. 10

The ultimate running challenge in Tucson is the Wildcat Challenge, where runners can race 17.2 to 33.4 miles, depending on the combination you choose. All combinations require running three events. Everyone must run the 1 Mile; it is the second event for every available combo. The 1 Mile, 5K and 10K are held on Saturday, December 3 at the University of Arizona Mall. You can choose between the half marathon and marathon on Saturday, December 10 but you can’t run both because they start around the same time with different start locations.
Saturday, Dec. 3
1 Mile + 5K (3.1 mls.)
1 Mile + 10K (6.2 mls.)
1 Mile + 5K (3.1 mls.)
1 Mile + 10K (6.2 mls.)
Saturday, Dec. 10
+ Half Marathon (13.1 mls.)
+ Half Marathon (13.1 mls.)
+ Marathon (26.2 mls.)
+ Marathon (26.2 mls.)
Total Miles
17.2 miles
20.3 miles
30.3 miles
33.4 miles
Participants in the Wildcat Challenge will wear a different bib for each race and receive a different shirt for each day they race. All finishers will collect a separate “Wildcat Challenge” medal at the finish of the half marathon or marathon in addition to the individual event medals. That’s a nice collection of four medals for running the Wildcat Challenge. Individual results will be posted for each event along with combined results for the Wildcat Challenge. Participants will pick up their bibs and goodies for both events at the same time on Saturday, December 3 before the start of the 5K/10K.
