Aravaipa Running Names Rachael Norfleet as Director of Partnerships

Matt FeldhakePress Release Leave a Comment

Phoenix, ARIZONA – March 11, 2024 – Aravaipa Running is excited to announce the addition  of Rachael Norfleet as the company’s new Director of Partnerships.  In this role, Rachael will be responsible for developing and managing strategic partnerships to further elevate the event experience for all trail and ultra runners. “We are thrilled to welcome Rachael to the Aravaipa team,” said Jamil Coury, Owner of Aravaipa Running. “Rachael brings a unique blend of passion for trail running and a proven track record in sales and team leadership. Rachael’s expertise in fostering strong relationships and her keen business acumen are exactly what we need to drive our partnership strategy forward. We are excited to have Rachael …

Rumble Musings: Nostalgia For The Old, Excited For The New!

Jen LaughlinRace Preview, Race Report, Race Update

I’ve been spending a lot of time this month on the “old” Coldwater Rumble Trails. As winter grass over seeding is taking place at my son’s current soccer practice location in Litchfield Park, training has been temporarily moved to Goodyear and as my luck would have it, just a stone’s throw from the main entrance to Estrella Mountain Regional Park, giving me quick access to a sunset trail run while he’s at practice. Outside of Coldwater, I don’t get many opportunities to run these trails, so it’s been a treat to kick up the dust over there a few times a week.  Now, I would by lying if I haven’t been feeling some nostalgia while …

World Trail Majors Is Born

Matt FeldhakeNews, Press Release, Standard

Today, November 13th, 2023, we are delighted to announce the launch of the World Trail Majors – a diverse, respectful, sustainable and independent approach to trail and ultra- racing. Bringing together some of the best races and race organisers in the world, with the aim of providing an alternative to global racing with local knowledge and community at its heart.

“Stick it : Why Quality Stickers Matter”

Jen LaughlinCommunity, Ultra Thoughts

Where do you put your stickers? Here at Aravaipa, we put them everywhere. From coolers to hydroflasks, the back of our laptops and the back of our vehicles. A quick drive through our office’s parking lot will quickly let you know you’re at Aravaipa Running headquarters because our stickers are everywhere!  We love our races, so why not show the world? But there’s more than just race stickers on our personal items. Looking a bit deeper you’ll see logos of favorite bands and brands, places we love to visit and the schools where our littles were student of the month at. Stickers are so much more than simply a badge of honor that displays a …

MOG 100 As Your First 100? Survey Says: YES

Jen LaughlinPost-Race Interview, Race Report, Ultra Thoughts

The Mogollon Monster 100 mile is not only a notoriously tough race, it’s also Arizona’s only Hardrock 100 qualifier. With around 18,000ft of total elevation gain on mostly technical and exposed trails, this race challenges the most seasoned mountain runners who throughout the point-to-point course will trudge up and down the rugged and steep escapement known as the Mogollon Rim a total of six different times. In a nutshell, the Monster is not for the faint of heart, and certainly not known for being a popular choice for a “first 100 mile”, but there are a handful of runners who beg to differ, and four of them just happen to work here at Aravaipa Running: …

Abby Bennett on Racing The Cog & What’s Next

Bryce BrooksCommunity

Abby Bennett is a Western Maine / Mount Washington Valley local who’s been tearing up the trails up in the Northwest. Last week Abby toed the line at Race The Cog to the top of the Mount Washington Railway. We connected with Abby to ask her about her experience at Race The Cog and what else she has coming up on her 2023 racing calendar! 1) Tell us a little bit about yourself? I’m a runner and conservationist born, raised, and currently living in Western Maine! I’m currently working on my master’s thesis in ecology with a focus on conservation science. I’m passionate about rural community well-being (human, economic, and ecological) and how conservation can …

Trail Safety in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

Kristina FolcikRunning Tips

It’s always wise to be prepared when entering the mountains but in the White Mountain Range this is especially true. Kristina Folcik, Trail Runnner, East Coast Local and White Mountain Endurance Race Director is no stranger to the unpredictable conditions of the White Mountains. Here are Kristina’s 3 most important tips for being prepared and staying safe on your next trip to the Whites! Tip 1: Always check the weather.  The weather in the White Mountains changes rapidly and there are a few things to know before heading out.  It can snow any time of the year, yes, people have died in snowstorms during the summer months.  Lightning can come quickly and winds can be …

Ram Party Course Change Due To Winter Weather

Jamil CouryRace Update

Important Updates About Ram Party Trail Runs [This went out to all Registered Runners for the Ram Party Trail Runs] Hi Runners:  We have an important update for this weekend’s Ram Party Trail Runs. If you weren’t aware a winter storm moved through the mountains above Colorado Springs today (and will be continuing into the night). Our team was out on the course today starting our course marking and setup.  Due to hazardous winter conditions above 8000 feet on the upper parts of the Ram Party course (specifically around the Rampart Reservoir which sits above 9000 feet) Aravaipa Running has decided for the safety of runners, volunteers, staff, spectators and our venue hosts (Pikes Peak …

Colorado Community Spotlight: Erika Kooda

Jen LaughlinCommunity

Although a fresh face to the Colorado trail and ultra running scene, 27 year old Erika Kooda is more than ready to dive head first into all of the beauty that her new home has to offer.  A 10 day trip to the Centennial State last spring was all it took for her and her partner Stephen to realize a relocation was necessary in their near future, and just 10 months later the duo made the move from Chicago to Broomfield and haven’t looked back. Keep reading to get to know Colorado’s newest transplant and trail lover in a little Q and A!  Where did you move to Colorado from? Erika: I moved from Chicago, …

Desert Runner Trail Series 2022-2023 Final Results

Scott TraerCommunity

  HUMMINGBIRD SERIES: Women Overall Camryn Castillo Rose Stewart Darvina Ventura Men Overall Drew Carson Jeff Beaty Andre Lee QUAIL SERIES: Women Overall Kiona Ogle Francesca Ferri Lyndsey Cunningham Men Overall Matthew Hamilton Sam Lev David Santiago Women Master (40+) Trina Weniger Tina Dahlmann Tracey Heath Men Master (40+) Cliff Puckett Rob Britt Kevin Morris Women Grandmaster (60+) Karen Weller Men Grandmaster (60+) Tim Young Women Junior (17-) Molly Micetic Men Junior (17-) Davis Micetic ROADRUNNER SERIES: Women Overall Alicia Morton Kalene Wells Joan Meiners Men Overall Kevin Ahler Geoff Coulston Nik Brocato Women Master Denim Bond Jillian Harvey Brooke Preston Men Master Jason Miller Jeremy Weiss Joe Labrie Women Grandmaster Nancy Freeman Men Grandmaster …