We have some very exciting new this week, as we just received approval for a 50 mile & 50 kilometer trail ultra in Flagstaff, Arizona.  AlthoughFlagstaff is a mecca for some of the nation’s best runners, has a thriving running community including a growing number of ultra runners, and some of the most beautiful high altitude trails in the Southwest, there have been no ultra runs permitted in the area (the nearest being the Zane Grey Highline Trail 50 mile and new Mogollon Monster race near Pine/Payson about an hour and a half away). We’ve been working on obtaining permits for well over two years, confronting a myriad of issues that has likely prevented any sort of organized ultra from taking place in the past. Some of the most challenging issues have been working to avoid the breeding grounds for the Mexican Spotted Owl and Northern Goshawk which both have countless protected areas during much of the summer across the mountains North of Flagstaff.

The runs will start within the City of Flagstaff at 7,000 feet in Buffalo Park which typically plays host to a number of high school and collegiate cross country meets in the Fall. From here, the courses lead out into the Coconino National Forest, climbing up Mount Elden (topping out over 9,000 feet) and then heading up to Shultz Pass before ascending the Weatherford Trail up the base of the San Francisco Peaks (highest mountain range in Arizona).  Although the majority of the San Francisco Peaks lie within the Kachina Peaks Wilderness and therefore disallow inclusion in an organized ultra, the course will traverse along the southern edge of the wilderness boundary. This will be a true mountain ultra, featuring 39 miles of single track trails, 11 miles of forest service dirt roads, and 5 major climbs between 1100 and 1900 feet each between elevations of 7,000-9,000 feet. The scenery is incredible, with a mix of beautiful Ponderosa pine forests with a sprinkling of aspen groves at higher elevations and amazing views of the Colorado Plateau atop Mount Elden.

We invite you to take a look at the webpage developing for the run and consider joining us in beautiful Flagstaff, AZ this fall! The inaugural run will take place Saturday, September 22, 2012.  The Northern Arizona running community is already getting behind this event, with Run Flagstaff hosting the packet pickup and the Sedona Running Company sponsoring one of the aid stations!

Webpage: http://www.aravaiparunning.com/flagstaff

We’d also like to share some photos of a “fat ass” 50k we organized back in the summer of 2010 on some of the same trails. They give an idea of what to expect in terms of the start/finish in Buffalo Park and scenery in the Coconino National Forest. http://aravaiparunning.com/photos/2010-flagstaff/