Randy Accetta
2025 Greater Tucson Leadership Alumni Excellence Award
By Tiffany Kjos
Randy Accetta’s dedication to a healthier, more vibrant Tucson – driven by running events and economic development – has earned him the prestigious Greater Tucson Leadership Alumni Excellence Award.
“The GTL award for me is predicated mostly on my activities putting on events and promoting health and wellness, and GTL is directly responsible for us being able to do that in significant ways,” said Accetta, a past president of the organization that co-owns Run Tucson with his wife, Tia
“Our hyper-local mission is to make Tucson better through running. What that means for us is creating health and wellness opportunities for individuals and groups, and creating opportunity for economic development in downtown.”
Run Tucson organizes eight to 10 events annually, hosting from 700 to 2,500 participants, that serve as economic engines for local businesses and charities. It has raised more than $350,000 for local nonprofits, including the Children’s Museum Tucson, Tucson Museum of Art and the Empire Ranch Foundation.
Signature events include TMC Meet Me Downtown 5K Night Run & Festival of Miles, and other activities that help showcase landmarks such as Saguaro National Park, Old Tucson, and, of course, Downtown Tucson.
“We do things that really highlight the beauty and unique qualities of our region,” Accetta noted.
When the Accettas launched Meet Me Downtown 20 years ago, GTL board member Wes Wiggins helped secure seed money from the Tucson Association of REALTORS® Today, Tucson Medical Center continues that legacy as the title sponsor. The popular charity event features a 5K Run and a family-friendly one mile walk/run through historic neighborhoods. It starts and ends at Children’s Museum Tucson, which offers free entry for families during the afterparty. Attendees can also enjoy live music, a post-race beer garden, food trucks, and other festivities.
The organizers work to ensure the event has family and kid-centric elements, according to Hilary Van Alsburg, the museum’s executive director.
“By helping spread the word about the race and also about the children’s museum, this collaboration helps the event reach more people every year and inspires the children and families we serve to be part of a fun fitness activity they feel welcome to participate in,” she said.
The event has widespread appeal for the entire community, according to Accetta. “It is a Downtown party on a hot summer night in Tucson. On top of that, there are discounts to local restaurants and bars afterwards.”
Van Alsburg emphasized the event’s influence.
“Run Tucson is part of the success story of Downtown Tucson. By bringing people together to run or walk through the neighborhoods, these events build a sense of community and connection to a beautiful, historic part of our city.”
Inclusivity — including low entry fees and accessible courses — is a priority in Accetta’s ongoing mission to promote health and wellness through Run Tucson, as further evidenced by Meet Me Monday, a free weekly walk/run downtown that he and fellow GTL alum Jannie Cox started in 2009.
“All of our events are open and available to people of all ages, all abilities and all bodies, including runners, walkers and chair athletes. We try to create an event experience for everyone from experienced racers to people newer to this activity,” said Accetta, whose background makes him uniquely qualified to bring people together through movement, enterprise and leadership.
For the past 15 years, Accetta has served as director of coaching education for the Road Runners Club of America, a leader in running coaching certification programs. He is also past president of the local arm of that organization, Southern Arizona Roadrunners.
Beyond running, Accetta spent almost 20 years as a mentor in residence at the McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Arizona and has served on mayoral panels and parks boards, including the advisory committee for The Tucson Loop multi-use path.
Accetta said that many of his leadership roles, like Run Tucson events, grew from the seeds planted during his GTL tenure and he is honored by his recognition from the organization.
“GTL has touched so many people over these decades, and being acknowledged for something that we do is such a treat. I’m humbled that people have noticed what we try to do, and I’m grateful to be part of the GTL community.”
He also credits Tia and their children, Aric and Anabelle, for his accomplishments. “Of course, none of this would have happened without the support and engagement of my wife and children.”
