Rillito (George Mehl Park)
March 21, 2026
|Tucson
Setter: Jeff Brucker / Director: Yvonne Poe
Time & Location
March 21, 2026
Tucson, AZ
About the Event
Location, Directions, and Parking: George Mehl Family Foothills Park, 4001 E. River Rd., Tucson, AZ 85718. Check-in is at Ramada 2, just south of the soccer field (32.276020, -110.906371). You can use either of the two entrances on River Rd.
Courses:
Park-O (3/21): Almost all of the 3.9km course will be in the adjacent Rillito River Park, which has bike paths, walking trails, riparian forest, sandy river bottom, open desert areas, and several mystery spots. Most controls are at an intermediate level.
Park-O (3/22-3/29 Option): If you cannot make it on March 21st, no problem. You can do it on your own, anytime between 3/22 and 3/29. You will be emailed a link so you can print your own map.
Explorer: Sign up for either Park-O. If you do not go to all controls in order, don’t worry, you will automatically be put on the Explorer course. You can go to any control, in any order.
MapRun phone app: We will use the MapRun app for timing and punch verification, instead of control flags and epunches. Please download the app to your iOS or Android phone before the event, but if you forget we can show you how on-site. Here is a short video explaining MapRun. There will be a volunteer at the event who will show you how to use MapRun if you've never done it before.
Maps: Come for the debut of this brand-new map. Paper maps will be provided to all participants at the event site. If you elect to do the course after March 21, you will be sent a link for downloading a PDF of the map, which you can print yourself.
Schedule:
At home, download the latest version of MapRun, and also watch the video.
8:00 AM Check in.
8:00 AM Beginners’ clinic
8:00 AM First chance to start.
9:30 AM Last chance to start.
11:30 AM Course closes.
Note: If you plan to walk instead of run, be sure to start by 9:00 AM.
Registration: Preregistration is required in order to keep an eye on crowd size and prepare the right number of maps. Everyone must register as an individual even if you plan on going as a team. Pre-registration deadline is Friday March 20 at 3pm. See who has signed up.
Fees:
Adults and Juniors (11 and up): $5
Kids (0-10): Free with adult. When registering, use coupon code "Kid" (please register even though it's free— we need a headcount and a waiver for each participant).
What to Bring:
iOS or Android Smartphone, or Garmin watch, with MapRun installed
Safety whistle is required (whistles can be purchased on site for $1)
Compass (compass can be rented on site for $1)
Water (and snacks if desired)
Youth Participants: All participants under 18 must provide a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. For details see our Instructions for Minors. These instructions are for anyone who will be bringing a minor child under 18 to an event.
Safety Information: To ensure that all are safe, everyone, whether finished with the course or not, must check in formally at Start/Finish before courses close and before leaving the event site.
Featured image provided by Jeff Brucker.