Running

The Tucson basin is ringed by five mountain ranges: Santa Catalina Mountains and Tortolita Mountains to the north; Rincon Mountains to the east; Santa Rita Mountains to the south; and Tucson Mountains to the west. Two national parks lie on the city's perimeter: Saguaro National Park's East District and West District, and Coronado National Forest, in the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Within the city, competitive runners can enjoy flat, paved routes or unpaved sections of The Loop multi-use urban trail, or they can head in nearly any direction for challenging mountain and hill routes. Wilderness trails vary in intensity, from hilly paths through cactus stands to steep scrambles up shady forest trails.