race day info

2022 RACE DATES:

Saturday, October 15 - this will be a money race for Masters runners (over age 40), but is open to everyone.

Intro: Hi, Coach Flash here. Thanks for expressing interest in the race and/or registering! My goal is to keep running and racing alive and well. I pride myself on putting on fun, fast, well-marked, accurately measured, and on-time races. You may have taken part in my 3 race Foothills 3k Summer Series, Sprint Pentathlon Series, or my Halloween Half Marathon, so you have already experienced this. If not, welcome to one of the fastest races you’ve been to in a while, from age 6 and up. The Pecos PR 5k Series saw some very quick chapters in 2020 and 2021. The Men's course record is 15:22 and the Women's is 17:24! Top Masters (over age 40) records - Men's is 16:58 and Women's is 19:13.

Where to go and what to do when you arrive:

Arrive by 6:30 at Pecos Park in Phoenix (Ahwatukee) 17010 S 48th St, Phoenix, AZ 85048 near the dog park.

Head to the south or southeastern-most end of the park, away from all the buildings and facilities. DO NOT ask park officials or maintenance where the race is, as they will usually have no idea what you're talking about since they’re not involved with the race and the park is HUGE. You may also park at the Phoenix Premium Outlets, in the northern-most end of the lots (it borders Pecos Park, and can be easier to get to the highway from there).

6:45: Report in to the table/area where race numbers are being handed out, close to the start line. It will be set up 45 minutes prior to race start. Grab your race number and pin it on the front of your top, get your warmup in, pee/poop. Report to race start by 7:20 AM for instructions. The races start at 7:30 AM on Thanksgiving Day.

Bathrooms:

Usually they are open early this time of year. I’ve seen the park officials open the bathrooms at the east end of the park at 6:20 on many days, but sometimes it's a crap shoot, LOL. They certainly don't always get there when I request them to be there. I've attached a screenshot of a map of the area just North of the park. In case of emergency, there is a Dunkin Donuts on Chandler Blvd, between 48th and 50th St. There is a Circle K on the NW corner of Chandler and 50th and a Chevron on the NE corner.

The Start:

At 7:30 AM sharp, the entire field will start at once, and one’s finishing time will be the time from which the starter initiated the final command or shot the starting pistol, AKA “gun time.” Be sure you have a race number.

The Course:

Take a look at the regular 5k course or the Thanksgiving Ahwaturkey 5k version of the course in reverse. It’s nicknamed the Pecos PR 5k for a reason! It is a fairly flat, well-marked, intuitive course consisting of two fast loops of 1.55 miles. This is a potential PR course, so leave everything out there! It will be marked with yellow and/or orange cones. There’s a little dirt, a little grass, a little hill and a lot of PRs waiting to happen!

The course is designed for someone who can complete a 5k (or 1.5M) with no problem, in a respectable running time, under 30, but 35 minutes will be the cut-off. No walkers.

Please note:

GPS devices don't all track the same, so rest assured, no matter what it says on your wrist at the end, you can sleep well knowing it was actually the distance advertised. The race times you receive are gun-times (times from the gun going off until the finish line official takes your time), as there will not be timing chips. There may be small discrepancies between the finish official’s time and your watch, or between your watch/the finish official’s watch and the race clock. Your race time is that of the finish line official, subject to review if necessary.

The Finish:

Remember to run through the finish line. Your race number must be in view for the cameras at the finish line, so don’t cover it up. Further instructions may be given at the start of the race. Again, the 5k (and 1.5M) will have a cutoff of 35 minutes.

Race Results:

Race results will be posted within 60 minutes of the race conclusion here. You are free to go after the race has concluded, but are encouraged to stick around for honoring the winners overall, Masters and age group. The preliminary results will be emailed to you within 45 minutes of the race conclusion, but will be updated in the days to follow.

Results from 9/12/2020 Pecos PR #1

Results from 10/17/2020 Pecos PR #2

Results from 11/14/2020 Pecos PR #3 and 8k

Results from 11/26/2020 Ahwaturkey Day 5k and 10k, 1.5M kids

Competitor List:

Click here for a list of competitors and registration status to see who you’re up against. Not available at the moment.

COVID info: As a precautionary measure in the COVIDpocalypse and thereafter, please do not come to the race if you're not feeling well. Athletes are asked to keep their distance from each other and respect the boundaries of others, wearing a mask when proximity makes it appropriate. No one will be allowed to race with a mask on, for safety and common sense reasons. You may line up at the start wherever you feel comfortable with regards to COVID. Everyone starts at the gun. Be mindful that there is a good portion of the population (not in the race) that is scared to be around people, even if they did decide to go outside to exercise. Being a shared path, there will be other pedestrians you'll encounter sporadically on the sidewalk. They might be walking dogs, walking for leisure, running for exercise, or cycling. Please be courteous and give them space. I have seen people who have chosen to go outside and expose themselves to the elements and others who DIVE OFF THE SIDEWALK INTO THE ROAD AND INTO TRAFFIC when I’ve run by them. It's reassuring to know that moving vehicles aren't quite so much the threat Mom and Dad made them out to be.