Northland Hospice Run for Life

A brilliant summer day for a lot of fun at the Northland Hospice Run for Life races! Thanks to all who brought out the great costumes!

Takashige Katzhiko's World Peace Run Meets NATRA.org

On June 19th, Northern Arizona Trail Runners met up with Takashige Katzhiko for 3 miles of his run across the United States for World Peace and to raise awareness of the disasters that Japan from which Japan is still recovering. Neil, Mark, Jen, Mark, Eric and Steve Rink (Arizona Road Racers) joined Kay for a jaunt along Route 66 and then a turn off course to recreate where #$@# Happens in Forest Gump on San Francisco Street! Kay say's Happy Father's Day to all! For more info, visit Kay's web site, Peace-Run.com.

Gaspin in the Aspen and Takashige Katzhiko's World Peace Run!

Again, a busy Saturday starting off with the record turnout at Gaspin in the Aspen. Shortly after I met up with Takashige Katzhiko who is running across the country to promote world peace. "Kay" will be joined tomorrow by NATRA runners at 6:30 AM as he presses on his next leg towards Tuba City. Visit Kay's web site for more information on his mission.

Observatory Mesa then on to Picture Canyon

It was a busy day in Flagstaff. First, the run up Observatory Mesa brought out nearly 20 runners who ran various distances. There were a lot of new faces which was great to see. Folks then returned to the Kickstand for coffee and conversation.

However, my legs would not start barking at me until later in the day when they would get their true test. I helped lead tours for the Picture Canyon working group as they celebrated the Meander Restoration Project. Well over 100 attendees listened to local Flagstaff emissaries (including our very own David McKee) discuss the history and importance of the restoration project. Tours began at 11:30 and just when I was tired and hot from walking up and down the cinder hills from my first 1.5 hour trip, I was asked to help lead the day's final group. This was truly a marathon day, but well worth the aches and pains to show off the backyard jewel that most Flagstaff residents are unaware of.

NATRA helped sponsor the t-shirts for tour guides and of course was instrumental in removing 6 cars from the canyon's depths almost 6 years ago. A Daily Sun article by Jack Welch paints an exellent picture of the decrepit state of the canyon just 6 years ago. You can also read and even earlier account by Curt Fultz . Since then tons of trash have been removed; the rock art has been documented in great detail; the site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places; the Arizona Trail has an easement through the canyon; tons of invasive plants have been removed; native species replanted; and finally, the canyon's natural meander has been restored so that this wetland can have a rebirth. Truly a testament to this community effort of countless volunteer hours and the dozens of partners who have helped to preserve this special place in our backyards.

For those interested, the Arizona Daily Sun has covered the Picture Canyon story dozens of times over the years. View the archives to see the history of how Picture Canyon has gone from being shameful to the Jewel of Flagstaff.

Sacred Mountain Prayer Run

Now that I'm back in town, photos for the Sacred Mountain Prayer Run are posted! Read Jacob May's Daily Sun race coverage. Also read an article in the Navajo-Hopi Observer .

Soulstice Sprint Course

As the gusty winds kicked up this morning, I kept thinking that the Sunset Trail was the one trail that would shield us from being blown away. And the plan played out perfectly for 13 runners who stuck around for the long weekend. We were even aided by a tail wind on the way up Sunset. We went downtown to the Seasoned Kitchen for Tony's great coffees. As promised, I have posted a photo of the NATRA caps that arrived last week. I will soon offer these as a fundraiser for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Run for the Magic Half Marathon and 5K! The caps retail for $22 on sweatvac.com and will be available to those who make a donation of $40.00 on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff Run for the Magic Half Marathon and 5K!

Run for the Mountain Race - Soldiers Trail

A great day for the first race of the 7th Annual Flagstaff Summer Running Series. Results are now posted. Read Jacob May's Arizona Daily Sun race coverage. Next race is the June 4th NAC Sacred Mountain Prayer Run. Register at Virtual Roster today!