Meet Art Menchaca

Art Menchaca has been coined as “the best runner ever from Tucson, Arizona”. He is a native Tucsonan and attended and graduated from schools in the Sunnyside School district. He accrued an impressive high school running career winning city, regional and state titles. His 800 meter time of 1.59 and mile time of 4:15 made him All city from 1973-1975, All State team from 1974-75, All Southwest Team in 1975, All Star team and All American team in 1975.  In 1975, he was inducted into the country’s Prep Track and Field “Athletes of the Year” book.

He continued his running success at Pima community College shattering times in the 3,000 meters steeple chase, 5,000 meters, and led the Cross Country team to its first conference championship and then being the first overall conference champion Pima had ever had.  He was also the first All-American for Pima Community College. He set school records that still hold to date.

Art was inducted into the Northern Arizona University (NAU) Hall of Fame in 1997.  He was the Big Sky cross country champion for two years in a row and represented NAU at the National Cross Country Championships.  In track, he won the 3,000 meter steeplechase, 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters helping his team win the Big Sky track championship.  He was named the Big Sky Trackster in 1978 and 1979.  He still holds the 3,000 meter steeplechase record. Art was named Arizona’s top runner in 1983 and received a Nike contract to compete nationally and represented Hughes Aircraft in corporate races nationally.  Art is a three time Olympic qualifier in the steeplechase and marathon.

Art continued his running success after college.  He won the Phoenix Marathon in 1988 with a time of 2:18  and winning many 10K races and half marathons across the country.  He  recorded a 10K PR of 28:21 at the Continental Homes in Phoenix, AZ in 1984.  His half marathon PR is 1:04 in San Diego’s America’s Finest in 1984.

Art retired as an Educator teaching grades 5 -12 and serving as an Assistant Principal and Principal in the Sunnyside School district and as Assistant Superintendent at ACE Charter School.  During his professional career he co-founded the Mezquites Cross Country Invitational, and the Mario Castro Track and Field invItational.  

Art is a recipient of the NAU Hall of Fame, Best of Pima, the Mezquites Hall of Fame, Pima County Sports Hall of Fame, and Arizona Runner’s Hall of Fame; plus, numerous Educator of the Year awards.

Art has dedicated efforts to continue to build running opportunities for high schoolers.  He is currently launching a new running program; the Menchaca Running Camp in Greer Arizona from June 8-14 2025.  His goal is to recruit 30 runners to participate in his Student-Athlete focused running camp.

Art is a role model for student-athletes and students seeking educational career goals. He has dedicated his life to encouraging students achieve their personal and career goals.

Art has been married to his wife Leticia for 44 years and they have a daughter, Nadia.