trail running

CEO Recap from Jamil

Jamil CouryNews, Uncategorized

Wow, it’s already November. The evenings are getting dark early and mornings here in Phoenix have started to become (almost) chilly. That means one thing for us here at Aravaipa:  we are just wrapping up the Javelina Jundred . It’s hard to believe that this was my 9th year as Race Director of this amazing event which has grown into the 2nd largest 100 mile foot race in North America. I agreed to take over the race back in 2007 at the ripe age of 22, the same year I graduated college and was embarking on my first “real job” at a local accounting firm. Little would I know how much that small opportunity would come to …

zach bitter

Javelina Jundred 2016 Recap

Melia CouryRace Report

Jalloween Party It’s a running community reunion like no other. A sea of over 300 tents popped up at the Javelina Jeadquarters by Friday afternoon. The temporary city was alive with excitement for a weekend filled with running and cheer. Not to be forgotten are the costumes that could make you laugh and not intended to cause fear; for this ultra marathon race celebrates Jalloween. Who Wore It Best Since Javelina Jundred is always the weekend around Jalloween most runners engage in the fun. And even if they don’t dress up we have plenty of decorations around our aid stations to keep the spirit alive. Also, in some cases, the crew members, aid station volunteers …

cave creek

Cave Creek Thriller 2016 Race Report

Melia CouryRace Report

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” –John Ruskin. There was plenty of delicious sun to go around for everyone at Cave Creek Thriller. The weather may have been toasty as the day progressed but the warm personalities of the runner’s shined through. Whether it was discovering a new friendship, celebrating a long travel with a run or taking that first leap onto the trails the group came out for another great reunion. New friends were made as they battled through the terrain. There was more than one account of runners meeting on the …

snowbowl

Flagstaff Sky Race Recap 2016

Melia CouryRace Report

Hands and feet gripping the ground saturated with rain, they are trying to discover the next sturdy tuft of grass or rock to bare some weight. Each step of progress feels satisfying until the eyes glance up the mountain with a chilling realization of just how far you have traveled. Head down and keep moving becomes the mantra. This was the scene for the runners in the Vertical K and the last climb for the 39K and 55K at the Flagstaff Sky Races. Vertical K Race The clouds glided along as they hugged the peaks. With some fierce wind the runners of the Vertical K set out to conquer the slopes of Snowbowl, without snow and on …

andy pearson

Andy Pearson, Mogollon Monster, 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

ANDY PEARSON Melia Coury: I’m Melia Coury here with Aravaipa Running, standing here next to Andy Pearson who just won our 2016 Mogollon Monster. Andy Pearson: I did. Melia: Congratulations. Andy: Thank you. M: And you kind of lead it out from the gate. How was that? A: I ran it in the inaugural year in 2012 so I came in knowing what the course was like and it was an advantage to be able to visualize all parts of the course throughout the day. And knew what I was getting myself into. I was like well, someone’s got to win this might as well be me. M: How were you preparing for that? A: …

veronica rudolphi

Veronica Rudolphi, Mogollon Monster, 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

VERONICA (RONI) RUDOLPHI Melia Coury: I’m Melia Coury here with Aravaipa Running and Roni Rudolphi and you just won our Mogollon Monster 2016 100 miler, and this was your first 100 miler along with setting a course record here by like 4 hours! How are you feeling right now? Roni Rudolphi: Pretty happy, very satisfied. Melia: What was it like for you out on the trails yesterday and this morning? Roni: Beautiful, really hard. Yeah I just felt really lucky to be out there among a great group of people. M: So what in training for this did you do something in particular to prepare for your first 100? R: I did a couple of …

bill dittman

Bill Dittman, Mogollon Monster, 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

BILL DITTMAN Melia Coury: I’m Melia Coury herewith Aravaipa Running and Bill Dittman who just placed second at out 2016 Mogollon Monster. Congratulations. Bill Dittman: Thank you. Melia: So tell me a little about your journey throughout the day. There was a little point where you got lost and then rallied at the end. Bill: Yeah, I got lost about miles 20 thorugh 40 I was hitting a little bit of a slow patch. It was hot out so I kind of wanted to keep it low and slow . And once the night came and it got a little cooler I was able to turn it on and use the parts above the rim …

james bonnett

James Bonnett, Mogollon Monster, 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

JAMES BONNETT Melia Coury: I’m Melia here with Aravaipa Running and James Bonnett, and you just placed 3rd at the Mogllon Monster 2016. Congrats. James Bonnett: Thanks. Melia: So what was it about this race that made you want to do it? James: Just getting a Hardrock qualifier, that’s about it. M: So what was your training like leading up to the race? J: Ah, my training. There wasn’t much training leading up to this run. I did a 30 mile run on my birthday, that was August 14th and I did a couple runs leading up to that run on my birthday. And then I ran like 20 miles a week training the middle …

susan kramer

Susan Kramer, Mogollon Monster, 2016

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

SUSAN KRAMER Melia Coury: I’m Melia Coury here with Aravaipa Running interviewing Susan Kramer who just placed second at the 2016 Mogollon Monster, congratulations. Susan Kramer: Thank you, thank you. Melia: How was the run for you out there? Susan: It was tough. It’s not a course for the faint at heart. It’s a good course if you like a challenge. M: And this isn’t your fist time, what keeps you coming back? S: Ah well, actually I wasn’t going to do it but I had done it last year and it was a choice I could pick and I was like well I might as well do it again. M: Is there a part …

fred roberts

Fred Roberts, Mogollon Monster, 2016 3rd Finish

Melia CouryPost-Race Interview

FRED ROBERTS Melia Coury: I’m Melia Coury here with Aravaipa Running and Fred Roberts and you just finished your 3rd Mogollon Monster, congratulations! Fred Roberts: Thank you. M: You actually hold the most finishes. F: I know it kind of puts some pressure on me to keep running. Which I think I will do. M: What is it about this race that keeps you coming back each year? F: You know a lot of races you have a good chance of finishing. And this is one of those races where you can get to mile 50 or 60 and then it really comes down to how bad do you want it. That’s what I like …