Javelina Jangover Night Runs Recap – 2015

Hayley PollackCommunity, Race Report, This Week In Aravaipa Running, Ultra Thoughts

I hope to never lose my sense of wonder in dramatic Arizona skies. Our sunsets are unreal, our sunrises too. Monsoon season brings a whole new set of beauty (and, sometimes, destruction) with massive thunderheads and lightning shows to rival 4th of July firework finales. Thankfully, this past weekend at Javelina Jangover, we got the show but not the destruction. All day long, while setting up, the weather was stiflingly hot and oppressive. Not long before runners were due to arrive at the course the cumulonimbus clouds were building higher and higher over the mountains surrounding McDowell Mountain Regional Park. However, we were ready for them! Our experience hosting events in the Arizona summer has …

2015 Silverton 1000 Recap

Hayley PollackNews, Race Report, Ultra Thoughts

The first words I ever wrote about Silverton, Colorado were: “Everything is either magnificent or quaint in a great visual contradiction that immediately makes sense.” And while, At first glance, Silverton meets all the requirements to be called a ‘quaint mountain town’ a little longer look reveals that utilizing ‘hardy’ as the description is nearer the truth. The same adjective can be applied to the runners who showed up to compete in this past week’s Silverton 1000. It was amazing to have a front row seat to this year’s event and the performances that unfolded. I had heard the passion and the stories of the race’s creation from Jamil all year long and I was …

Kendall Mountain Preview

Hayley PollackCommunity, News, Press Release, Race Preview, Ultra Thoughts

If you can believe the write-up about Kendall Mountain on summitpost.org then you “[shouldn’t] feel too proud when you reach the summit of this one.” However, we disagree. The basis for their argument is this race, Kendall Mountain Run: because runners run up Kendall Mountain it is brushed aside. Standing in Silverton, looking up at Kendall as it towers over Greene Street you get your first sense of the injustice done in that one sentence. It is not hard to image how that 1908 bet started… seeing Kendall looming over their town the locals were sure that no one could possibly reach the summit and return within 1.5 hours and the bet was made. Although …

Adrenaline Night Runs Recap

Hayley PollackCommunity, News, Race Report, Ultra Thoughts

Adrenaline Night Runs are over, the course de-marked, and the truck all packed up ready for the next adventure. However, the performances of last night are still playing over in my mind. At a wedding reception today, with a table of runners, the conversation quickly turned to Sion Lupowitz’s domination of the course and his progression as a runner. It was a performance of strength and beauty watching him power through all 54K with no one in his rear view. With the new shorter distance (from 64K to 54K) there was no mark besides the “W” on which to set his sights; yet, he left the bar high in his wake running 4:00:09 (7:09/mile). Daniel …

2015 Insomniac Night Trail Run Series

Hayley PollackCommunity, News, Race Preview, Ultra Thoughts

What happens when you are forced to ignore heat training advice? You know, the articles where they give varying degrees of heat and what you are supposed to do in each scenario. Invariably there is a section that tells you to cut back once it gets too hot or stick to running indoors for faster recovery. There was a Runner’s World article I read not too long ago that described racing in 80° as “gruesome conditions.” However, as many of us know, living in the desert, trying to train for a fall race, and being morally opposed to spending hours on a treadmill leaves you with little choice about braving the heat. I could listen to the …

Fall Desert Runner Trail Series Registration is Open!

Hayley PollackCommunity, News, Press Release

Check your calendars, get rid of existing plans, and make way for the 2015 Fall Desert Runner Trail (DRT) Series! The series is an opportunity to experience the best parks and trails that Phoenix and the surrounding valley have to offer. Each race in the series highlights trail-systems, mountains, and parks to make sure runners are never bored and are given the chance to explore new ground while surrounded by family: the Aravaipa family. The entire series runs from October 2015 – March 2016 and offers a point-series for runners in two different categories: Trail and Ultra. The Trail Series encompasses distances from 24 KM up to 35 KM while the Ultra Series has both …

2015 Crown King Scramble Recap

Hayley PollackUncategorized

The 24th Crown King Scramble 50K is in the books and ‘the hill’ was conquered by many with the sweet reward of beer and a festive finish line.  This year had the noticeable disadvantage of high temperatures throughout the day but the advantage of flowing creeks from the rains earlier in the month. The starting line was relatively cool but as soon as the sun peeked its head above the horizon it started to scorch the trail and those on it. Almost 75 runners took advantage of the early start and an additional hour of darkness with the remainder of the total 234 starters heading out an hour later.   With the remote nature of …

Flagstaff Extreme Big Pine Update (+$10 Gift Card Offer)

Hayley PollackUncategorized

Are you ready to Test Your Limits? Big Pine just got even bigger with the official name change to Flagstaff Extreme Big Pine and some serious fun in store for all runners, crew, family and spectators! If running at 7,000’ elevation just isn’t enough for you we have teamed up with Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course to take your journey higher: up into the tree tops! Zip, scramble, balance, climb… The Adventure Course is designed to challenge you both mentally and physically with courses that get harder the higher you climb. Anyone registering for the race will receive a 10% discount off the Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course Passes (Adult passes with discount are $44 and Kids …

Aravaipa Running Announces Big Pine & Blackout Night Runs

Hayley PollackNews, Press Release, Race Preview

Aravaipa Running is incredibly excited to announce the 1st annual Big Pine 108K to be held June 13-14 in Flagstaff, AZ! We will also be offering a 13K, 27K and 54K that morning and hosting the Blackout Night Runs as a new addition to the Insomniac Series that evening! In scouting race courses we are always on the lookout for something new and exciting and a location that allows us to make the race a community affair. We have found just that with Big Pine and its location at Fort Tuthill County Park. All runners will get to experience the Soldiers Trail and Highlands Trail Loop. The course is mostly graded wide forest paths within …

Crown King Scramble: Course Preview and Updated Course Record Information!

Hayley PollackNews, Race Preview

I’ll start this post by being honest.  There was pretty much nothing about Crown King Scramble that ever interested me. I had no desire to run uphill on jeep road for 31 miles. That was until today. I’m not sure my preconceived notions about a race course have ever been so wrong. Jamil and I spent the day driving the Crown King Scramble course so I could learn the layout and we could post signs reminding users of Aravaipa’s race on March 28th. My contribution to the outing was to exclaim “Unbelievable!” or “Stop! I need another picture!” at almost every turn. It was love at first sight. The race begins at Lake Pleasant and winds …