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 …

Mesquite Canyon 2015 – Scorching Tough Year

Jamil CouryNews, Race Report

As a few of us sat around Friday night preceding the 6th annual Mesquite Canyon Trail Runs finalizing a few details for the race, drinking a couple of beers, we would usually be sitting around a campfire. With warm temperatures already greeting the Phoenix area in mid-March there was no need. We sat around in short sleeve shirts and took in the night. The race starts on the Eastern end of the White Tank Mountains, a range that marks the Western boundary of the metropolitan Phoenix area. Looking towards the peaks we could see hundreds if not thousands of stars, constellations and more. Gazing back towards Phoenix, the stars slowly give way to a soft …

Copper Basin 50K Returns! – April 11, 2015

Jamil CouryPress Release

After a 4 year hiatus (it went off to college), the Copper Basin 50K returns to Prescott, AZ on April 11, 2015. Keeping in tune with the past two editions in 2009 & 2010, Aravaipa Running will be hosting this as an unsanctioned “fun run” on a new section of the Prescott Circle Trail that we’ve yet to incorporate into the previous two editions. We created the Copper Basin 50K to introduce trail runners to the Prescott Circle Trail and to escape to the pines as the valley begins to heat up into mid-April. Now that the run has “grown up”, we’ll be starting and finishing downtown on Whiskey Row. A short mile or so through …

Insomniac Night Trail Run Series Announces Official Charity Partner – Team Red, White & Blue

Jamil CouryNews, Press Release

Team Red, White & Blue’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Team RWB members from the Phoenix chapter have been running alongside Aravaipa Running for a couple of years now. Our organizations typically cross paths the first Wednesday of each month at our Aravaipa Group Trail Run whenever we host a location at Papago Park in Tempe. Team RWB is easy to spot with their bright “eagle” logo shirts and positive attitude. Team RWB had a large presence at last year’s night run series and it is only natural to increase our partnership with them in 2015.   Aravaipa Running is …

Mesquite Canyon Trail Runs – Origins and Thoughts

Jamil CouryRace Preview, Ultra Thoughts

The 6th annual Mesquite Canyon Trail Runs are upon us. I honestly don’t know where the time has gone. Not just the time this year, these first two months of 2015 but even the last 5 years! Just 5 years ago I was preparing to direct my first ever 50K that I created from scratch at a mountain park that I’ve been hiking, camping and mountain biking in since I was a kid. This would prove to be not just your ordinary 50K either. I was sending runners through two “hazardous” sections of trail, deemed the “most extreme” by the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation department. So much so that they highlight the Goat Camp …

Superstition Mountains: Black Mesa Loop

Amber FifieldAdventure Run Report

This is the first in a series of “Adventure Run Reports” that we will be hosting on the Aravaipa Running blog. Our first comes from Aravaipa Ambassador Amber Fifield who regularly seeks out adventures in remote mountains and canyons across Arizona. Here first report comes from the Black Mesa Loop in the Superstition Mountains. —————————- Sometimes I need to get out into the wilderness and enjoy a little quiet wild-time. However, I don’t always have time for a long jaunt, and need to just “get my fix” and get home. This morning was one of those days. I met a few friends out at the FIRST WATER TRAILHEAD, which was fairly busy since the weather …

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 …

Ultimate Direction & Black Canyon 100k Photo Caption Contest

Holly MillerNews, Uncategorized

Thanks to our friends at Ultimate Direction, we have some hydration packs and bottles to give away to the winners of our Black Canyon photo caption contest. “How do you stay hydrated on the trail?” We asked followers to use their creativity to tell us what these runners are saying as they are “running” at mile 39 of the Black Canyon 100K. Here were text submissions on Instagram & Facebook: coffeeandtrails “Training for Arizona Ironman?” “Sure beats tempe town lake” wandering_coconut “They said tubing down the Salt river would be fun” fleetfeethkry “So, I asked for a bottle of Perpetuem to be ready at mile 23, and I get Sustained Energy! I mean, how do …