Credit Tucson's maddening mid-winter traffic congestion with helping to create the Arizona Distance Classic.
Born from a conversation between Oro Valley businessman John Corbett and road-racing organizer John Bingham while Corbett drove Bingham to the airport in January 2003, the Arizona Distance Classic has quickly become one of the top running events in the state.
"The whole idea was to turn this into a tremendous community event," said Corbett, owner of Oro Valley fitness store All About Running and Walking, 12112 N. Rancho Vistoso Blvd. "It took a long time to build."
The first edition of the Classic, held last March, drew more than 1,500 competitors and had an economic impact of $1.5 million in the Oro Valley area, said David Babner, president of John Bingham Racing. Babner said that with close to 2,000 entrants this year, the impact on local hotels and businesses could reach $2 million.
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Babner said John Bingham Racing got tremendous support from the town last year.
"We say that we can put on a race anywhere, but it takes a community to put on an event," he said. "Any time you're in a growing area like Oro Valley, as opposed to being Downtown … you find yourself about to put on a strong event."
The Classic features three races: the Valley of Gold Half Marathon, the Northwest Medical Center 5K and the 1-mile Splendido Senior Stroll. All events begin and end at Ventana Medical Systems, 1910 E. Innovation Park Drive, near Northwest Medical Center Oro Valley.
"It provides an excellent opportunity for all ages to come out and participate," said Ainsley Reeder, parks and recreation administrator for the Town of Oro Valley. "Everybody with every ability level can do it."
Reeder said she did the half marathon last year and plans to do it again.
Babner, who also helps organize Bingham Series events in Alaska, Illinois and Ohio, said the Arizona Distance Classic soon could reach 3,000 participants. With 40 percent of the entry field this year from outside Arizona, word-of-mouth will go a long way toward promoting the race.
"Once people see how beautiful the course is, and how many people come out to root them on, they'll know it's a really neat event," Babner said.
IF YOU GO
What: Arizona Distance Classic
When: Saturday and Sunday
Where: All races begin and end at Ventana Medical Systems, 1910 E. Innovation Park Drive, near Northwest Medical Center Oro Valley
Events: Kids Fun Run (Saturday, 11 a.m.); Valley of Gold Half Marathon (Sunday, 7 a.m.; 6:55 a.m. for wheelchair entrants); Northwest Medical Center 5K (Sunday, 7:15 a.m.); 1-mile Splendido Senior Stroll (Sunday, 10 a.m.)
Cost: $60 for Half Marathon, $35 for 5K, $5 for Senior Stroll, Fun Run is free
Registration: Online at ArizonaDistanceClassic.com (enter coupon code AZSTAR for $5 discount) or in person from noon to 8 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at Northwest Medical Center Oro Valley, 1551 E. Tangerine Road.
