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!

Sandy Seep and Elden Resurrection

Six folks and a dog managed to find the Sandy Seep trail-head for Saturday's run in beautiful weather, while Neil was off saving the planet (Neil says, well from spilled corn syrup that is....)

Jennifer, Sara, Tony, David, Susan and Bruce headed up the hill. Some went most of the way to Little Elden Spring while others continued for another 1.6 miles to get in a 10-miler. Those running past the spring eventually got into the low intensity part of the Shultz Fire area. It is awash with grasses and forbs this year! There is still just a bit of snow in a ravine on the east face of Little Elden.



Avoiding the anticipated crowds downtown on graduation weekend, we opted for "It's About Coffee", despite their famous Kobe burger!





(Thanks to Bruce Higgins for the today's post!)

The Return of Rhi and Tim

Today's group run marked a new milestone in Flagstaff running. With the brief return of Tim and Rhiannon, I knew we would have a near record turnout with 28 runners! This proved to be a perfect test for Gail's new chip timing system. Once we hoisted the trusses into place and wired the radio pads to the frame, off we went up Schultz Creek. Most ran to the Lincoln Logs and back, however, some endured the long loop up over Dry Lake Hills and back down Brookbank and Rocky Ridge.

The timing system worked flawlessly recording every runner who passed beneath the finish line. Bruce tried to trip up the system by wearing two numbers, one on his front and one on his back. The system prevailed. Not even Aaron Els crumpling his number and hiding it beneath his shirt allowed him to go incognito. We all tried to go back and forth under the pads, however the computer recognized us just the first time we finished. The system will require racers to arrive earlier to register so all the data can be entered into the system prior to the start of the race. However, the disposable chips that simply adhere to the back of a number will allow us to have faster, more accurate timing and require to have fewer volunteers at the finish line. Thanks to everyone for coming out to day!

Now, time to party with Tim and Rhiannon!