About NATRA Blog

This page is meant for folks to post their thoughts on the Saturday group run. I (Neil) will post a blurb about who showed up and where it was held. From there, I hope that other runners will share their thoughts since we often have different experiences on the same run. Enjoy!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Oldham Steps



David, Bruce, Amber, Mackenzie, Janie, Tony, Eric, Neil, Jutt, Sara, new comer Jessie and 3 dogs (Skylar, Annika, and Jasper) sloshed through the ice, mud and slush over the 4.5 miles of the first two Oldham steps. Our newbie runner Jessie doing her student teaching here seemed unphased by the inclement weather, a far cry from what she's used to in North Dakota! Bypassed by many, before the steep climb back up to Buffalo Park, we spied a Beale Wagon Road trail marker breaking through the snow. Lt. Beale led a survey crew in the late 1850s to build the first federal wagon road across the west. Visit the TomJonas web site to learn more about the history of the Beale Wagon Road. We again found ourselves recovering from the damp chill of the run at the Seasoned Kitchen. Download today's photos.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Kahtoola Snow or No Snowshoe Run!



On a typically sunny Flagstaff winter morning, 34 athletes lined up to race the Kahtoola Snow or No Showshoe Run for two great causes - Camp Colton and the Chris Klug Foundation. Camp Colton is Flagstaff's outdoor environmental education center for 6th graders while the Chris Klug Foundation is dedicated to promoting lifesaving donation and improving the quality of life for donors, donor families, organ transplant candidates and recipients.

In the 10K, Sylvester Coons defended his men's title and won the race in 52:58 ahead of Eric True (58.45) and Ryan Stevens (61.28). Laurie Lambert did the same on the women's side in 65.33 ahead of Sara Wagner (72:17) and Kara Huffman (88:41). In the 5K, Ben Sullivan won in 28.46 just ahead of Abe Springer (29.00) and Edward Amphleet (33.39). One the women's side, Dara Marks-Marino set the pace at 31.52 followed by Katie Haugerud (33.47) and Lisa Hutchinson (40.36). See full results.Most runners walked away breathless not only from the altitude but from the beautiful Flagstaff Nordic Center trail system that provided gasping climbs. At the end, most walked away with their oxygen tanks replenished and great gear prizes from Kahtoola!

Next up is the Saturday, March 14 Kahtoola Aggassiz Uphill Challenge! Don't miss out! Registration is available on Active.

Download today's photos.