5 top reasons to race the Pecan Du and Nut Run 5K on March 2

Runners and duathletes will receive a 10 percent discount on race day at the pecan store. The store opens early on race day, so stock up on roasted, spicy or sweet nutty treats.Run and bike on the cushioned comfort of crushed pecan shells. Some of the course is covered in this organic matter to reduce dust and preserve the road surface. Other parts of the course are hard-packed dirt for speed.If March winds hit during the race, runners and duathletes may be dodging tumbleweeds like this one. Wide open spaces on parts of the course make drafting a good strategy--and it's legal in this off-road duathlon!View the list »
On the Pecan Duathlon's 10.5-mile bike ride, athletes speed past the pecan tree nursery. Competitors will enjoy unobstructed views of the Catalina Mountains and Rincon Mountains before heading south toward the Santa Rita Mountains.

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Test early spring fitness or go for a personal best time at the flat and fast Pecan Du and Nut Run 5K on Saturday, March 2, in Sahuarita. Why drive two hours for a race when 30 minutes is all it takes to race in a brand new duathlon in southern Arizona.

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The Du and the Nut Run start at the Green Valley Pecan Store, 1625 E. Sahuarita Road. The Pecan Duathlon (3-mile run,10.5-mile bike, 3-mile run) is certified by USA Triathlon in its first year!

The race is put on by the duo of Anderson Racing Adventures and Tagg Running. Tagg Running has promoted runs in the pecan groves with events like the Breeze in the Trees 5K scheduled for July 27, and the Pecan Classic and Family Fun Run on November 9. The November event is part of the Pecan Festival.

1625 E Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita
31.957650706172 ; -110.94950549304

"The closer you are to where you race, the more fun it is," says race promoter Kate Anderson. She doesn't like getting up early to drive somewhere to race, so she started organizing more local races in the Tucson and Sahaurita areas. "I also like doing unique races, and the pecan groves provide a great 'nut' theme for this venue."

Steve Tagg agrees: "Running in the groves is a great way to experience the seasons in Arizona. You'll experience rebirth of the trees on March 2, and there may be some irrigating going on at the time."

The 5K is a run or walk event, and participants will race on farm roads and through rows of pecan trees about to burst with buds.

To register for either event, go to: http://taggrun.com/pecan-du/

Read the top 5 reasons to race in the Pecan Du or Nut Run 5K on March 2.

View the list
  • On the Pecan Duathlon's 10.5-mile bike ride, athletes speed past the pecan tree nursery. Competitors will enjoy unobstructed views of the Catalina Mountains and Rincon Mountains before heading south toward the Santa Rita Mountains.
  • If March winds hit during the race, runners and duathletes may be dodging tumbleweeds like this one. Wide open spaces on parts of the course make drafting a good strategy--and it's legal in this off-road duathlon!
  • Run and bike on the cushioned comfort of crushed pecan shells. Some of the course is covered in this organic matter to reduce dust and preserve the road surface. Other parts of the course are hard-packed dirt for speed.
  • Runners and duathletes will receive a 10 percent discount on race day at the pecan store. The store opens early on race day, so stock up on roasted, spicy or sweet nutty treats.
  • Runners and duathletes will enjoy exclusive access to miles of trails and roads in the largest pecan grove in the world.  The run-bike-run runs through a small portion of FICO's 7,000 acres. Watch for early buds on the trees on March 2. 
View the list
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, Tucson Endurance Sports Examiner

Mary Reynolds is a native Tucsonan who enjoys epic and non-epic adventures in the Tucson region. When not at her day job, she can be found biking on roads or trails, hiking, and backpacking in the nearby mountain ranges. She competes in running races, road cycling races, 24-hour mountain bike...

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