Costumes, music and the smell of fresh tortillas will take over downtown on Saturday, April 4, when the Taco 5K comes to Tucson.
Billed as the “World’s Slowest 5K,” the taco-centered race is less about running and more about roaming – experiencing the flavors of some of Tucson’s most popular Mexican restaurants with a twist.
Participants will walk a casual route starting on Fourth Avenue at BOCA by Chef Maria Mazon and making three stops along central Tucson at La Chingada, Street Taco & Beer Co. and Rollies at the MSA Annex.
The route through the heart of downtown Tucson allows locals to experience well known spots while competing in different activities along the way, said coordinator Michael Daynes.
Taco race origins
The Taco 5K started as a family debate over where to eat.
“Every time we would have friends come to San Diego to visit, we would always want to take them out for tacos,” he said. “But we could never agree on where to go because everybody had their favorite places.”
So he came up with a solution.
“A few years ago, I said, ‘Forget it. We’re going to all of them,’”he said. “‘We’re going to walk, and everyone gets one taco, and then we go to the next place and get one taco.’”
Everyone thought it was a bad idea at first, he said. “But by the end of the night, everyone had so much fun. It was a great evening.”
After hosting early versions with small groups, Daynes expanded the concept into a full-scale event. Its success in Southern California helped pave the way to bring the event to Tucson, a city known for its deep-rooted taco culture.
“I asked a friend here, ‘Do you think this event would work in Tucson?’” Daynes said. “He said, ‘Absolutely. Tucson would love it.’”
Tucson 5K
“Everyone is excited, we’re super stoked, we’re the first stop in the race and can’t wait to have you guys here.” said Miguel Gill Lamadrid, manager at BOCA.
He expects about 500-600 people to participate in the run.
The first Tucson event following a sold-out run in Encinitas, Calif., in January.
Organizers expect similar enthusiasm in Tucson.
“I’ve worked in live entertainment for most of my career,” Daynes said. “Now I’m just doing fun, my own little live experiences and events, taking stuff that I like to do personally as a hobby and turning them into events.”
The event, open to all ages and fitness levels, will take place Saturday, April 4 in downtown Tucson starting on North Fourth Avenue. Registration includes tacos at the four stops along the route, an official race bib and a finisher medal. Tickets and additional event details are available at the Taco 5k website.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
