Tucson Marathon, UA Partner on Fitness Runs
The first ever Fitness Fest on the UA Mall features activities for kids and events for runners of every ability.

By Jeff Harrison, University Communications
Dec. 8, 2011


The first Tucson Marathon Fitness Fest is Dec. 10 on the University of Arizona Mall, a day ahead of the main event.

The UA and the Tucson Marathon have teamed up to offer a Saturday morning of family fitness activities, including several races not quite as demanding as Sunday's marathon and half-marathon.

Fitness Fest is about promoting health, fitness, education, science, technology and even local economic development and environmental sustainability. The Tucson Marathon, the UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the UA College of Science and Biosphere 2 are all partners in the event.

Those races on Saturday – which start and end on the UA Mall – are at distances of 1 mile, 5K (about 3 miles), 10K and a 10K relay, as well as a health and fitness expo.

The 1-mile fun run – one lap around the Mall – is mostly for kids, said Dan McDonald, one of the Fitness Fest organizers. McDonald said the 1-mile race was created "to encourage school-age children to get outside and move. It's the culminating event for students who have been participating for several months in their walk/run clubs at school."

Students from 160 Tucson-area schools have been training for the last three months for the run. Every youngster will receive a finisher's medal and shirt, and parents are welcome to run with them. The 1-mile race starts at 9:30 a.m., which allows parents who are running in the 10K or 5K to watch or participate with their children.

Fast and exciting, the 10K and 10K relay races will be held in a one-of-a-kind, chip timed criterium style 1-mile loop.

The 5K is for runners of all ages and abilities, including walkers and wheelchairs. Both start and end on the UA Mall.

In addition to the running events, there will be other activities on the Mall to keep kids occupied before and after the 1-mile race and the activities and are designed to promote a healthy, active lifestyle.

Race day registration will be open from 6:45-9:15 a.m.

Parking is available in the UA's Second Street, Tyndall Avenue and Main Gate parking garages.

Extra info

What

Tucson Marathon Fitness Fest

Where

UA Mall

When

Saturday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Registration begins at 6:15 a.m.

Fees range from $15 to $45

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Resources for the media

Amanda Castaneda

UA Nutritional Sciences Department

520-904-9035 

acastaneda@email.arizona.edu