Arizona sponsoring race in Mexico again

Half marathon set for March 1 in Hermosillo

While Diamondbacks players are gearing up for the season, other athletes are getting ready to put on shirts with the team's name for a different competition.

The Los D-backs Hermosillo Half Marathon will take place March 1 in Hermosillo, Mexico. This is the third time that the Diamondbacks have sponsored the annual race, and the second year in a row. The team first sponsored it in 2016.

Hermosillo is a sister city of Phoenix, but for Diamondbacks President Derrick Hall, the connections to Mexico and the franchise go beyond the two cities. At a recent news conference about the race, alongside representatives from Hermosillo, Hall said he believes it is a mutually beneficial relationship between the Diamondbacks and Mexico.

"The relationship has been growing stronger and stronger every year," Hall said. "I think because we've had such a presence there over the years, where we've had exhibition games. Also, the popularity of baseball on both sides of the border has helped."

In April, the Diamondbacks will play two regular-season games in Mexico City against the San Diego Padres. The weekend series will be the franchise’s 12th trip to Mexico, which according to the Diamondbacks exceeds all other major-league clubs. Last season, the team played two exhibition games.

"We remind Major League Baseball often that we like playing there," Hall said.

The Diamondbacks work internationally in other countries, but the proximity of Mexico and the connections over time have strengthened the ties.

Ahead of the regular-season games, they'll have a chance to deepen their presence with the half marathon in the Sonora state capital. Former Diamondbacks first baseman Erubiel Durazo and team mascot D. Baxter the Bobcat will both be at the race.

About 1,000 runners from Sonora, Sinaloa and Arizona are expected to run the half marathon. As of Friday, participants can still register for next weekend's race.