Unique to Bisbee is a system of old and deteriorating stairways that course through its picturesque hills, affording views of the town's quaint houses and colorful gardens. The stairways originally followed the mule paths worn into the terrain during the heyday of Bisbee's copper mining past. To put men back to work during the Great Depression, the Work Projects Administration (WPA) had overseen building of the stairs over those same pathways.

The first Bisbee 1000 was held in October 1990 and by virtue of word of mouth alone, it drew 200 people. Each year the event grew at a rate that took everyone by surprise, and was eventually limited to 1,500 participants. In 2012, the Bisbee was officially designated as an Arizona Centennial Event, joining the other featured listings in the Arizona Highways Centennial Edition. In that same year, the Bisbee 1000 received the prestigious Governor’s Tourism Award for Special Events in a Rural Area.

As challenging as the course is, the Bisbee 1000 attracts a most diverse group of participants, from children age 7 up to adults in their 80s, and people of many fitness and ability levels. Some are serious competitors out for a win, some for a brisk jaunt, and still others simply want to stroll and enjoy the spectacular views. Many dress in outrageous or silly costumes; we even have some firefighters compete in full firefighting turnout gear (despite temperatures that often hit 80+ degrees F). Although the Bisbee 1000 is its own cause célèbre, it has also been the setting for family reunions, school reunions, company team competitions, birthdays, and—on at least one occasion that we know of—a wedding proposal.

If the Europeanesque charm of Bisbee is not enough to draw you to the event, then add the dedicated efforts of the City staff, police, fire departments, musicians, and citizens cheering you on your way up and down and all around our mile high city. The Bisbee 1000 is not just any race; think of it as a garden tour, a home tour, a musical extravaganza, a costume ball, one heck of a party, and a celebration of the community spirit. We hope you will join us.