Running Arizona Trail to Walnut Canyon View Points

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On May 26, 2012, 10 windswept NATRA runners ran to the view points off the Arizona Trail surrounding Walnut Canyon. As the cold front approached, grapple and rain showers pelted the intrepid gang. Unfortunately the showers were short-lived, just enough to bring out the sweet scent of the ground soaking up the scent moisture. Weary and sandblasted, runners returned for some piping hot coffee at "Its About Coffee".

Record Breaking Run for the Mountain 10K/5K

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The first trail race of the 8th Annual Flagstaff Summer Running Series saw a record smashing 500+ runners and kids under picture perfect skies at the Run for the Mountain 10/5K. Harvard's (and Tuba City's) Billy Orman's smokin' 33.36 eked out a victory over reigning Summer Series champion Chris Gomez's 33.53. Defending women's Series champ Sara Wagner (42.43) had a close call but out-kicked Michelle Gray (43.14) for the win. In the 5K Zach Chupa's 18.26 took the men's side while Lisa Hutchinson's 24.38 took the women's title. Next race is the Sacred Mountain Prayer Run on June 2. Register today at Virtualroster.com

Soulstice Short and Hall Steps Foundation

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16 NATRA runners headed up the scenic Sunset short course of Soulstice Mountain Trail Race (5 months away!). Erin Strout announced that Team Run Flagstaff is hosting "Going for Gold" a fundraiser for the Hall Steps Foundation to benefit Girls on the Run on 5/20/3012 from 5-7 PM at the Green Room in downtown Flagstaff. For more info visit Hall Steps Foundation. Buy your tickets today . They are much cheaper online ($15) today than buying at the door ($25)! Don't miss out on this silent auction emceed by the one and only Coach Michael Smith and the chance to welcome Ryan and Sara Hall to Flagstaff!

The trail was exceptionally dry and we started out by log hopping, with Bret's experience from Zane Gray, he made it look easy. After a grueling run, we returned to wind down at the Kickstand.

A fantastic weekend coming up! Flagstaff Summer Running Series Run for the Mountain race kicks the weekend off on Saturday May 19th and then the Hall Steps Foundation on May 20th! Never a dull moment!

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18 NATRA runners took various routes onto the Arizona Trail above Hart Prairie. We filled the Kickstand and enjoyed outside seating and breakfast sandwiches and burritos! Next weekend the run is the 10 K course of the Soustice Mountain Trail Race.

NATSA Urban Trail Loop

Steve Rhode leads NATRA north on the Flagstaff Urban Trail  System - FUTS (David Blanchard Photo).

                                                

A baker's dozen turned out for the urban trail/loop run with summer running plans on many minds. Overcast skies gave way to the sun but not before the NATRA runners were already in the forest on the loop trail recently documented by Randy Wilson in The AZ Daily Sun.

The gang introduces themselves.

 Steve Rhode explains the run to the gang (David Blanchard photo)

    
 NATRA soon turned to NATSA as many runners were veering off trail to go about their business. Not only do we run for ourselves but we fertilize when nature calls...

Almost back (David Blanchard photo)

Sundial along FUTS - the time is correct! (David Blanchard photo)

 Spring time in the high country (David Blanchard photo).

a vote was called and we decided to support one of our sponsors and head to the Pay n Take where Jacqui re-fueled the group with refreshments, smiles, and laughter for all. (Thanks to Steve Rhode for the post and David Blanchard for the photos!)

 Post run Pay n' Take Coffee (David Blanchard photo)

NATRA meets Albie (Cross America Runner)

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Today 6 NATRA runners had the pleasure of running with Albie Masland who is running across the country on behalf of fallen heroes and injured veterans. To learn more about Albie's mission, visit Operation Amerithon. We ran from the Flagstaff Athletic Club West across town on the Route 66 FUTS to newly designed trailhead near Fanning Drive, about 6 miles. We also had fun re-creating the Forest Gump scene where Sh** Happens.

 

This is the fourth time that NATRA has joined a runner crossing the country. All four times, we were the first organized group that these remarkable athletes socialized with since starting on the west coast. All have told fascinating stories about their encounters on the road.


Folks from Flagstaff can have a chance to meet Albie from 12 to 2 on Sunday April 22 at the Kickstand. He will be discussing his fundraising efforts for the Travis Manion Foundation. Runners can also join him Sunday at 8 AM on the new Route 66 Trailhead just past Fanning Drive towards the mall. We will run the stretch from Fanning to the Walnut Canyon exit on I-40 (8 miles round trip).

Jonathan Williams, June 1, 2005 (Watch his interview!)

Kampei, April 5, 2009  

Takashige Katzhiko, June 18, 2011 

Albie Maslin, April 21-22, 2012 

NATWA - 3

https://picasaweb.google.com/bh021552/NATWAR3?authkey=Gv1sRgCJPYzKb4jJrPUw

Sabrina, Susan & Bruce climbed Aggasiz last year on April Fools Day. A reprise didn't work out so they kicked around alternatives. Some friends ran this route across the Grand Canyon & back. They thought that was too much, so on On April 18th, they walked it- the third installment of Northern Arizona Trail Walkers Association!  A little less than 24 hours in one's life - except for sore muscles! (Thanks to Bruce H for sharing!)