Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities will gather in Texas Canyon, 50 miles east of Tucson, for the 13th annual Texas Canyon Trail Run/Walk on Saturday.

The race includes 10K and 5K events. The 10K begins at 9 a.m. and the 5K at 9:20 a.m. Texas Canyon is located southeast of Tucson on Interstate 10. 

In her four years as race director, Maggie Ohnesorgen, public programs and relations manager at the Amerind Museum in Dragoon, has seen participants from all walks of life attend the event.

"We get everybody. We have competitive runners and then we get people that come out every year, bring their family and just walk in," Ohnesorgen said. "We have a huge percentage (of runners) that are repeats."

The event is open to participants of all ages.

"We have a couple who's been doing it about four or five years at least," Ohnesorgen said, including one participant who had just turned 91 at last year's event.

The overall winner from both the men's and women's 10K and 5K races receives original Native American art.

"Last year we gave (winners) hand woven baskets from Tohono O'odham makers," Ohnesorgen said.

This year's winners will be gifted original photographs by Priscilla Tacheney, a member of the Navajo Nation.

The top three finishers in each age group will receive a medal featuring reproduced artwork by Tohono O'odham artist Michael Chiago, and all other participants will receive a small participation medal.

"We average about 500 people," Ohnesorgen said. "We were a little bit down (last year.) We're hoping to be close to 500 this year."

Prior to October 2023, the trail, which is on private property, could only be accessed during the race. With fundraising and public interest, the trail can now be accessed year-round.

The event will host local food vendors, including La Unica from Willcox and CJ's Navajo Frybread. Food from vendors is not included in the registration fee.

Beyond showcasing the Texas Canyon Trail's stunning landscape, the event also serves as a fundraiser for the Amerind Museum.

Registration for the 10K costs $45 for adults and $25 for youth. The 5K costs $35 for adults and $15 for youth. Prices will increase for adults after Friday, March 20.

Registration for youth participants ends at 8:50 a.m. for the 10K and 9:10 a.m. for the 5K on the morning of the race.

Find maps of the 5K and 10K routes here.

Patrick Moore is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and an intern with Tucson Spotlight. Contact him at patrickcmoore@arizona.edu.

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