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!

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Every Which Way on Oldham



A great turnout of 18 runners for today's Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association group run. We had a surprise visit from City Council's Celia Barotz who encouraged attendees to vote for her in the next election. Celia has supported the development of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System and championed preserving open spaces including Observatory Mesa, Picture Canyon, and Buffalo Park parcels. Thanks to Celia and her colleagues on City Council, runners and Flagstaff residents will continue to run and enjoy these special places.

Due to the Arizona Trail junction confusion with Lower Oldham, the group split into three divisions covering just about every section of trail between Mount Elden and Rocky Ridge! Neil and Ann wore matching shirts and hats, a subtle reminder that the April 1st Soulstice Mountain Trail Run is just around the corner, hint, hint. https://register.chronotrack.com/reg/form?eventID=6823 We even saw some wildlife when a very healthy coyote crossed the trail on our return. We rejuvenated at Flag Buzz with iced drinks all around.

Next run is the last Sedona trail run of the year, the Wet Beaver Creek and it should be warm enough to take the NATRA plunge! Meet at Fort Tuthill by Flagstaff Extreme at 8:15 AM Saturday March 29th.
— at Buffalo Park. 

 The charge out of Buffalo Park
 The short downhill between the second and third infamous "Oldham Steps"
Neil and Ann's not so subtle message about March 31st deadline
A much deserved downhill return on Rocky Ridge