Oktoberfest 5K Run/Walk 2026

EVENT: 14th Annual RISING SUN RUN

DESCRIPTION: Located on the high desert plain of southeast Arizona, Sierra Vista offers the ideal venue to stage a beautiful and challenging Half Marathon and 5K event with a 1M fun Run/Walk. Starting at 4,500 feet and with the Huachuca mountains as their background, the courses wind through country neighborhoods with the half marathon continuing up to its turnaround at the entrance to the beautiful Ramsey Canyon Preserve at 5500’ of elevation. The return to the half marathon finish line affords beautiful vistas of the San Pedro River valley to the end of the run. Both courses are USA Track & Field certified.

As mentioned above, the half marathon course presents a challenge to even the experienced half marathoner due to the altitude and the significant elevation change. As a half marathon runner, you need to plan on completing your race in 3 hours or less.

Course Maps can be found under the Race Info tab above.

There are 5 first aid and water stations along the half marathon course with portable toilets available at race headquarters (6) and midway through the half marathon course (2). There are no portable toilet facilities on the 5K course though there is a first aid and water station at the 5K turnaround.

The Rising Sun Run is a great race for great causes as all event proceeds go to provide vocational scholarships for Buena high school graduates and Cochise College incoming freshmen, scholarships for Rotary youth leadership and professional skills development programs, and funding for Rotary service projects for our non-profit organizations.

Race starting times will be as follows:

Half Marathon - 7:30am, 5K – 8:30am, 1M Run/Walk - 8:45am

Chip timing provided by “On Your Left Fitness and Timing." Official timing will end at 10:30am ~ half marathoners will need to complete their run within 3 hours or less. The event courses will close at 11:00am.

AWARDS CEREMONY: A great finish line experience is planned with music and post-run recovery snacks and drinks. The awarding of medals will highlight the ceremonies with medals being awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers, in both race categories, for both men and women. Age groups are:

16 and below, 17-25, 26-35, 36-45, 46-55, 56-65, 66 and above.

For the half marathon, cash prizes will be awarded to the top three overall half marathon finishers for both men and women:

Half Marathon: 1st place - $150, 2nd Place - $100, 3rd Place - $50

Also, all half marathon finishers will receive a beautiful and unique commemorative “spinner” medal. All 5K finishers will receive a participant ribbon. Finally, all runners are guaranteed, if to receive a cool towel at the finish line and a race day swag bag filled with great swag!

Podium presentation of medals for the half marathon should begin around 9:30am with 5K medals awarded once a majority of the runners have cleared the course.

REGISTRATION: All Pre-race and Race-day registrations will be through RunSignUp. Visit www.svsunriserotary.org for links to the registration site, Facebook site and the course video. There will be no cash registrations. Runner packet/swag bags pickup for all runners will be held at race headquarters, Huachuca Mountain Elementary school, over two days; Friday, Oct. 31st from 5pm to 6:30pm and Saturday, Nov. 1st beginning at 6:30am for half marathoners and 7:00am for 5K runners. Same day registration will close 30 minutes prior to your scheduled start time. No registration is required for the 1M Fun Run/Walk.

REGISTRATION FEES: Half Marathon 5K

Adult $65 until 9/1, then $75 $30 until 9/1, then $35

Military, Club, Youth $60 until 9/1, then $70 $25 until 9/1, then $30

Military, E-4 and below $35 $30

For more event details, visit the Sierra Vista Sunrise Rotary. Finally, should you have any questions, please send us an e-mail.

Registration is open for the 2nd Annual Empire Ranch Trail Run scheduled for Saturday January 23, 2027!

"Are we having fun? Who doesn’t like a little mud and cow pies? Seriously it was GREAT to be out, gorgeous views and the weather was perfect. The weather forecasters wanted to stress us but it didn’t work. Thank you and the Ranch for all the work in organizing it." M.O.

Save the date for this exciting run/walk event. The Empire Ranch Trail Run will include a 10k Trail Run, a 5k Trail Run/Walk, and a 1 mile family-friendly trail walk/run.

Produced by Run Tucson in partnership with the Empire Ranch Foundation and the Bureau of Land Management, this is the first-ever running event held at the Historic Empire Ranch on the beautiful Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.

With demonstrations and displays depicting ranch life and the history of the Historic Empire Ranch, the Trail Run kicks off the Empire Ranch Foundation's yearlong 150th anniversary celebration and will honor America's 250th anniversary.

Raising funds for the Empire Ranch Foundation to protect, restore, and sustain the Empire Ranch historical buildings and landscape as an outstanding western heritage and education center.

Whether you run, walk, volunteer, or just want to be watch and cheer, there will be fun for everyone!

2026 edition:

Here's the emailed race report that we sent to participants in the Empire Ranch Trail Run.

Click here for the BLM post-race statement.

Results: Results can be found at the link above and here. Thanks to Roadrunner Race Timing.

Awards: If you did not pick up your award at the post-race ceremony, all Running Shop gift certificates can be picked up through the end of February at The Running Shop, 3055 North Campell Avenue, Tucson.

Photos: Damion Alexander's photos can be found at his smug mug page here.

Race Director snapshot photos can be found at the link above.

Remaining Shirts and Medals: if you did not pick up your shirt or purchased medal, you can pick them up through the end of February at The Running Shop, 3055 North Campell Avenue, Tucson. Shirts are on a first-come, first-served basis. A list with the names of those who purchased a medal is at the Running Shop.