HalfRuns
SV Sunrise Rotary RISING SUN RUN

SV Sunrise Rotary RISING SUN RUN

Rising Sun Run: a challenging high-desert half with stunning mountain views.

Race Date

Nov 7, 2026

Location

Sierra Vista, AZ

Quick facts

Date
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Location
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Distance
Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 13.1 Miles, Half Marathon Military (E-4 and below), 3.1 Miles
Course
Out & Back
Terrain
Road
USATF certified
Yes
Finishers on record
451

Highlights

Good For

Hidden Gem

Atmosphere

Local Community

The Experience

The 14th annual Rising Sun Run takes runners through the high desert plains of southeast Arizona, starting at 4,500 feet in Sierra Vista with the Huachuca Mountains as a backdrop. The out-and-back course winds through country neighborhoods before climbing to its turnaround at the entrance to Ramsey Canyon Preserve at 5,500 feet, offering panoramic vistas of the San Pedro River valley on the return.

This is a challenging half marathon, not only for its 1,000-foot elevation gain but also for the altitude — runners must plan to finish within three hours. The field draws participants from about 11 states, and while repeat runner numbers are low, the race has built a steady following over its decade-plus history. All proceeds fund vocational scholarships for local students, adding a meaningful purpose to the day's effort.

The course is USATF certified and well-supported with five aid stations, portable toilets, and medical personnel. It's a small, community-driven event that rewards runners with a genuine sense of accomplishment and a connection to the stunning Arizona landscape.

Race-provided description

EVENT: 14th Annual RISING SUN RUN DESCRIPTION: Located on the high desert plain of southeast Arizona, Sierra Vista offers the ideal venue to stage a beautiful and challenging Half Marathon and 5K event with a 1M fun Run/Walk. Starting at 4,500 feet and with the Huachuca mountains as their background, the courses wind through country neighborhoods with the half marathon continuing up to its turnaround at the entrance to the beautiful Ramsey Canyon Preserve at 5500’ of elevation. The return to the half marathon finish line affords beautiful vistas of the San Pedro River valley to the end of the run. Both courses are USA Track & Field certified. As mentioned above, the half marathon course presents a challenge to even the experienced half marathoner due to the altitude and the significant elevation change. As a half marathon runner, you need to plan on completing your race in 3 hours or less. Course Maps can be found under the Race Info tab above. There are 5 first aid and water stations along the half marathon course with portable toilets available at race headquarters (6) and midway through the half marathon course (2). There are no portable toilet facilities on the 5K course though there is a first aid and water station at the 5K turnaround. The Rising Sun Run is a great race for great causes as all event proceeds go to provide vocational scholarships for Buena high school graduates and Cochise College incoming freshmen, scholarships for Rotary youth leadership and professional skills development programs, and funding for Rotary service projects for our non-profit organizations.  Race starting times will be as follows:                                        Half Marathon - 7:30am,    5K – 8:30am,    1M Run/Walk - 8:45am Chip timing provided by “On Your Left Fitness and Timing." Official timing will end at 10:30am ~ half marathoners will need to complete their run within 3 hours or less. The event courses will close at 11:00am.  AWARDS CEREMONY: A great finish line experience is planned with music and post-run recovery snacks and drinks. The awarding of medals will highlight the ceremonies with medals being awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers, in both race categories, for both men and women. Age groups are:                                        16 and below,   17-25,   26-35,  36-45,   46-55,  56-65,  66 and above. For the half marathon, cash prizes will be awarded to the top three overall half marathon finishers for both men and women:                                       Half Marathon:    1st place - $150,     2nd Place - $100,     3rd Place - $50 Also, all half marathon finishers will receive a beautiful and unique commemorative “spinner” medal. All 5K finishers will receive a participant ribbon. Finally, all runners are guaranteed, if to receive a cool towel at the finish line and a race day swag bag filled with great swag!  Podium presentation of medals for the half marathon should begin around 9:30am with 5K medals awarded once a majority of the runners have cleared the course.   REGISTRATION: All Pre-race and Race-day registrations will be through RunSignUp. Visit www.svsunriserotary.org for links to the registration site, Facebook site and the course video. There will be no cash registrations. Runner packet/swag bags pickup for all runners will be held at race headquarters, Huachuca Mountain Elementary school, over two days; Friday, Oct. 31st  from 5pm to 6:30pm and Saturday, Nov. 1st beginning at 6:30am for half marathoners and 7:00am for 5K runners. Same day registration will close 30 minutes prior to your scheduled start time. No registration is required for the 1M Fun Run/Walk.  REGISTRATION FEES:                            Half Marathon                                              5K                Adult                                         $65 until 9/1, then $75                    $30 until 9/1, then $35         Military, Club, Youth              $60 until 9/1, then $70                    $25 until 9/1, then $30         Military, E-4 and below                       $35                                                          $30 For more event details, visit the Sierra Vista Sunrise Rotary. Finally, should you have any questions, please send us an e-mail.

Course Info

USATF Certified

Course Type

Out & Back

Terrain

road

Scenery

Mountain, Desert

Difficulty

Hilly

Net Drop/km

0 m (Flat)

Separation

0.6%

Also Offers

13.1 MilesHalf Marathon Military (E-4 and below)3.1 Miles

USATF Certified Course

AZ20002JW · Rising Sun Half Marathon

Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.

Quality Score

Methodology
Heritage2/20

1 year running

Size7/15

~28 finishers a year

Momentum3/5

small race — neutral

Loyalty0/20

0% returning runners

Course & details10/15

USATF certified · 4 timing sources

National draw6/10

runners from 11 states

Front-pack speed1/5

winner 1:34:43

Weather2/10

typical high 73°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

47°

Afternoon (High)

73°

Warm — hydration strategy is key, start conservatively

0.0"

Precipitation

8 mph

Wind

32%

Humidity

Historical Finish Times

How 451 finishers actually crossed the line across 8 years.

Most recent

2025

Total finishers

451

Median time

2:07:42

Latest turnout

75

States

38

10%
25%
75%
90%
1:15p50 median ≈ 2:103:20

Turnout by year

20182025

'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
See full results

Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.

Frequently asked

When is the SV Sunrise Rotary RISING SUN RUN?

The SV Sunrise Rotary RISING SUN RUN is held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, starting at 7:30 AM.

Where does the SV Sunrise Rotary RISING SUN RUN take place?

It takes place in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

What distances does the SV Sunrise Rotary RISING SUN RUN offer?

The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 13.1 Miles, Half Marathon Military (E-4 and below), 3.1 Miles.

Is the SV Sunrise Rotary RISING SUN RUN course flat and good for a PR?

The SV Sunrise Rotary RISING SUN RUN is a hilly, out & back course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.

How many people run the SV Sunrise Rotary RISING SUN RUN?

HalfRuns has finish records for 451 runners who have completed the SV Sunrise Rotary RISING SUN RUN.

HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.

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