Tucson Parks and Rec offers recreational track and field, road race events all summer

Tucson Parks and Recreation’s annual track and field and road race events are back and in full swing for the summer.

Every Tuesday until July 22, community members can participate in traditional track and field events such as the long jump, high jump, turbo javelin, dashes (100, 200 and 400 meters), a 4 x 100 relay and a 4 x 400 relay (800 and 1600 meters).

The track and field events begin at 6:30 p.m. and races start at 7 p.m. at Drachman Stadium, 501 S. Plumer Ave.

Individuals interested in participating in the events can register on-site (cash and cards are accepted). The $3 fee for youths 17 and younger and the $4 fee for adults gives you access to all track and field events at the stadium.

The top three finishers in the youth categories will receive ribbons at the end of the events.

“It’s a great thing that we offer for the community,” said Abraham Montijo, a recreation program supervisor for Tucson Parks and Recreation’s sports unit. “It’s fairly inexpensive. We’re talking about three or four dollars for an afternoon of different events and activities that (you) or your kids can participate in.

“At the end of the day, it’s also a recreation program, so we’re not qualifying for nationals, we’re not qualifying for anything at that level,” he said. “It’s a recreational space. So, the idea is to have a good time, to have fun, to be exposed to something that you maybe weren’t exposed to in elementary school and middle school or high school.”

At the first track and field event of the season last week, Montijo estimates around 100 people participated.

During his two years with the Tucson Parks and Recreation sports unit, Montijo says he has seen community members of all ages participate, everyone from 5-year-olds to individuals well into their 70s and 80s.

“There’s a wide variety of ages that participate in these events, which is pretty great … to see what kind of involvement you get, it’ll surprise you. It’ll really surprise you,” he said.

If track and field doesn’t pique your interest, Tucson Parks and Recreation is also offering one-mile, 2K and 5K road races almost every Thursday in June and July at Tucson-area parks.

The current summer road race schedule is:

– June 12, John F. Kennedy Park (3700 S. La Cholla Blvd—Fiesta Area)

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– June 26, Lincoln Park (8155 E. Poinciana Drive—Clements Center Gym)

– July 10, Silverlake Park (2420 S. Kino Parkway)

– July 17, Freedom Park (5000 E. 29th St.- Ramada 2)

– July 24, John F. Kennedy Park (3700 S. La Cholla Blvd—Fiesta Area)

– July 31, Gene C. Reid Park (Southwest corner of Country Club Road and 22nd Street)

Road race registration starts at 5:30 p.m. before the races kick off at 6 p.m.

Just like the track and field events, the registration fee is $3 per youth 17 and younger and $4 per adult. Ribbons will also be awarded to the top three finishers.

Aside from the exercise element of these events, Montijo says this summer program is a great way for Tucsonans to see what’s new in their neighborhood park or visit a park they’ve never been to before.

“It’s pretty great to be able to visit different parks and the community can see … what’s changed, what’s different? And there’s a lot of changes that have happened here in the last 20 years,” he said. “It gives the city a chance to show off its city parks. And as a participant, it gives you a chance to just see different areas in Tucson that you might not know exist or are even around.”

Montijo recommends giving yourself extra time for parking and packing a water bottle, and a little bit of patience for the Tucson Parks and Recreation employees who are working the events. Since the program is recreational, the number of participants can vary from week to week, so flexibility is key to make sure everyone has a good time.

The annual summer program dates back well over a decade and is something that Montijo and the rest of the recreation sports unit hope to continue for Tucsonans of all ages and skill levels for years to come.

“It’s different ages, different abilities, and I think that’s what makes this program so, so awesome is that it doesn’t matter if you’re a track star or if you’re just someone that wants a little exercise today or to compete and get your time recorded,” Montijo said.

For more information about summer track and field and road races, visit Tucson Parks and Recreation’s website or call (520) 791-4870.