Thomas O’Reilly talks about his attempt at the Crown King Double, future route ideas, and past running adventures. [mc4wp_form id=”7105″]
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2016 Crown King Scramble – Recap
Every race is special, but sometimes a race just has something about it which dictates that the feelings and emotions of the day will never leave you. That was what this past weekend’s Crown King Scramble was like for me. I fell in love with this race last year during a course recon with Jamil (blog post). The 2015 race was also my first solo attempt at race directing and was just about the scariest experience ever. No pressure. just one of the oldest continual footraces in Arizona with a lot of history and meaning to a lot of people. I started planning 2016 almost immediately after the conclusion of last year’s race. This year …
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Aravaipa Trail Talk – Episode 003 – Night Running
Our third episode of Aravaipa Trail Talk is all about night running. [mc4wp_form id=”7105″]
Aravaipa Trail Talk – Episode 002 – Crown King Scramble
In this episode of Aravaipa Trail Talk we speak with Kate Hansen who not only ran the very first Crown King Scramble back in 1986 but is running again this year. She shares with us some insights from that very first year which was supported by a couple friends on motorcycles and was dubbed the “Crown King Mud Scramble” as well as her tips for getting up the hill for first timers. [mc4wp_form id=”7105″]
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Aravaipa Trail Talk – Episode 001 – Barkley Marathons
We’ve started a new podcast show that will feature a new topic each episode relating to trail running. We want your questions! Ask us on social media with the hashtag #asktrail and you may be featured on the next episode! In our first show, we talk about the upcoming Barkley Marathons and answer YOUR questions. Barkley Marathons Each year in April, 40 athletes come from around the world to compete at the Barkley Marathons. It begins between midnight and 11 a.m. with the exact time being determined by the blowing of a conch shell. After the shell is blown you have one hour before the race begins. The course is built around five loops. …
Mesquite Canyon Evolves
I’ve been camping and backpacking in the White Tank Mountains east of Phoenix most of my life. It all started with a couple of trips a year with my Boy Scout troop. We’d do day hikes with fully loaded backpacks as training prep leading up to our annual trip to Havasupai Canyon. Our packs which back in the day were upwards of 40 or 50 pounds, you know, the ones with big metal frames that you’d bungee down a sleeping pad and bag. We’d head straight up Ford Canyon, attempting to scramble up the famed “white tanks” and find a nice lunch spot high up in the range. I remember the trip back down Mesquite Canyon to …
2016 Black Canyon Ultras Preview
The 3rd annual Black Canyon 100K will take place this Saturday, February 13th north of Phoenix, Arizona on a point to point course along the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail. Over 260 runners from across the country will take to the 62 mile course under record temperatures forecast in the mid to upper 80’s in the afternoon. This 2017 Western States qualifier (for those finishers under 17 hours) is also a “Golden Ticket race. that will send the top 2 male and female finishers to the big dance in Squaw Valley, California in June. New to the Black Canyon Ultras this year is a short course 60K which will travel from Mayer High School to Black Canyon City. …
2016 Partnership with SweetM Images
We are continually looking for ways to make our runner experience just that much better. One of our struggles last year was having a consistent photography experience for our participants. Whether from the time it took to edit or not having the proper equipment or simply not the right knowledge, our photos from each race would vary in quality and quantity. Aravaipa is proud to announce that we are partnering with SweetM Images for all our Arizona-based 2016 events! Deron and Melissa Ruse of SweetM Images are not only phenomenal photographers but are dedicated runners themselves. They understand the importance of capturing your race images and allowing you to preserve your race memories in vibrant …
Women’s Training Program – Update
It was a new venture; one in which I was unsure of the outcome. Hosting races is Aravaipa’s business model, creating a premier women’s only training program was, previously, not. However, I had the passion and the right companies to help guide me on this journey. Jamil and Aravaipa have given me the platform, Oiselle has given me the guidance and inspiration, and Alicia Shay has given her time, energy and education to help make this a reality. This past weekend the Women’s 50K Training Program hosted its Seminar and Film Festival in Anthem, Arizona. It has always been about empowering women, giving them a forum to ask questions, and cultivating a group that connects emotionally …
Across the Years 6 Days Finish – Final Results – Jan 3, 2016
By the 144th hour, world record holder Ed Ettinghausen ran 481.86 miles, marking the furthest distance he’d run in six days, and breaking an American age group record. There are hundreds of individual stories of epic endurance that occurred on the course over the past week it’s hard to condense them all into a short update. David Johnston came back after having stomach problems for 3 days, and still ran 450 miles in 5.5 days for 2nd overall. As put out in an earlier update, David planned only to running 450 miles for his 1,000 mile jacket – in two years record time at ATY. He’d passed Ed getting to 450, but stopped with 12 …