El Tour de Tucson 5K logo
Running

El Tour de Tucson 5K

Date
November 21, 2026
Distance
El Tour 5K · Duo
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From the Organizer

Join the Fun: Mark your calendars for the exciting El Tour Expo & Fiesta festivities on Thursday, November 19 and Friday, November 20, with the bike and run on Saturday, November 21st.

 

Perfect for the active family:  Ride the Tour or walk or run the 5k -- either way, enjoy a Downtown party, discounted hotels, and more! Open to all ages and abilities, every finisher in this chip-timed 5K will receive a souvenir medallion as they cross the finish line. 

You can walk the 3.1 mile Downtown course or you can race it, with overall winners and age-group winners receiving gift cards to Fleet Feet Tucson

 

Enjoy Downtown and the El Tour Expo: The 5K will start at the El Tour start line at 7:15 am and cruise through the wide neighborhood streets of Barrio Viejo and Armory Park in historic Downtown Tucson.  

The finish is back near the Convention Center, at El Parque de San Cosme, just two blocks from the start line and expo.

The El Tour Expo and Fiesta is a 3-day expo that leads up to the big day.  Enjoy exhibits, demos, celebrity signings, food trucks, live entertainment and the Dragoon Brewing Beer Garden!

 

Age Group and Overall Awards:  Top finishers receive gift cards to Fleet Feet Tucson.

 

Planned Event Week Schedule

When and Where: Casino del Sol Expo & Fiesta, Tucson Convention Center Exhibition Hall, 260 South Church Avenue, in Downtown Tucson

Thursday, November 19, Noon – 8:00 pm, Convention Center

Friday, November 20, Noon – 8:00 pm, Convention Center

Saturday, November 21, 6:00 am - 7:00 am, Convention Center next to starting line on Cushing Street

Expo and Fiesta continuing until 6:00pm on Saturday

In-Person Registration: All in-person registration at the Expo will be done online using the RunSignup platform.

Picking Up Your Packet:

  • Please be prepared to give the volunteers the last name and the assigned race number so that they can find your number.

  • Use the "Find a Participant" search to find the race number for every registered participant.  

  • It may be crowded, so please be patient and please be kind to the volunteers.

Add-on Purchases: Please bring your purchase receipt to the Expo to pick up your various souvenirs.

 

Planned 5k Run/Walk Event Day Schedule, Saturday, November 21st


6:00 am - 7:00 am: Packet pickup and bathrooms at the Convention Center -- remember, the race starts promptly at 7:15 am, so give yourself enough time to get to the start line on Cushing Street

7:15 am: Start 5k Run/Walk, on Cushing Street between Church and Meyer

There are no formal pace corrals, so please join the starting line in terms of your expected pace: for example, speed demon who plan to run 5 or 6 minutes per mile should at the front near the starting scaffolding facing east, while those who expect to take 20-25 minutes per mile should start towards the back.

The race is so-called "gun-timed" so start your watch when you cross the start line!

Finish at El Parque de San Cosme, near San Cosme Chapel at 460 West Simpson Street

Runners and Walkers, as you come off the paved path onto the finishing stretch, please finish to the left of the finish line arch
Finisher medals awarded to all finishers, given out by the GroGirlsGro volunteers
Finish line treats of bananas, oranges, and more, given out by volunteers from AAA Arizona
Music by Starlight Deejays, with face painting for the kiddos and activities by Raising Cane's, Tucson Roadrunners, and more
After the finish, head over to the Convention Center for live music, the beer garden and other day-long activities.

9:15 am: Approximate time for El Tour 5k Awards at Convention Center, with age group awards by Fleet Feet

Ongoing morning and afternoon: bike rides begin, expo activities, music, and more

Click here for more information on the El Tour bike rides and weekend schedule

 

El Tour de Tucson Website


Additional event information can be found at https://eltourdetucson.org/ 

 

Accommodations and Travel


Book with our official lodging partners and save during your stay! Click on the hotel logo to book directly online now.
Rates typically are valid during race weekend and are subject to occupancy and city taxes
https://eltourdetucson.org/el-tour-de-tucson/accommodations-and-travel/

 

Event Directors

El Tour has partnered with Run Tucson, the local leaders producing running events for decades. Run Tucson has developed running events in locations like Downtown Tucson and in tourist destinations like Saguaro National Park, the Biosphere 2, and Old Tucson Studios.

Questions about the El Tour 5k?  Contact Randy Accetta at randy@runtucson.net

Questions about the El Tour bike events?  See www.eltourdetucson.org

The event will take place rain or shine.  There are no refunds, deferrals, or returns for this event.  Race items will not be mailed to participants.

Events

El Tour 5K7:15 AMRegister →
Duo7:15 AMRegister →

Weather

Typical Conditions

It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.

Typical High

72°

Typical Low

48°

Chance of Rain

9%

Based on US Climate Normals data from Tucson Wfo, 1 mi from the venue.

Sunrise 6:59 AMSunset 5:22 PMDaylight 10h 23m

Host City

About Tucson, AZ

Population

543,348

as of 2023

Elevation

2,430 ft

Nearest Airport

TUS

Tucson International Airport · 8 mi

Time Zone

Mountain Time

From Endurance Grid

A big city race. Expect multiple lodging options and plenty to do the day before.

Race Location

Your Next Start Line

What Are You
Waiting For?

Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at El Tour de Tucson 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.

166

Days to train

Race
El Tour de Tucson 5K
Date
November 21, 2026

From Endurance Grid

About This Sport

Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.

With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.

Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.

Read the Guide

Running

From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the El Tour de Tucson 5K?
El Tour de Tucson 5K is a running race held in Tucson, Arizona on November 21, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
When and where is the El Tour de Tucson 5K?
Saturday, November 21, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona at Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, AZ. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
How do I register for the El Tour de Tucson 5K?
Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.

El Tour de Tucson 5K

Nov 21, 2026

Register →