Author: Matthew Nelson

Half-Marathon Added to Colossal Vail 50/50

The Colossal Vail 50/50 presented by Fleet Feet Sports-Tucson isn’t just an ultra anymore! While running 55K or 50 Miles on the Arizona Trail remains at the heart of this event, we added a shorter distance for 2019 — the scenic and adventurous half-marathon features a segment of the Arizona Trail south of Colossal Cave Mountain Park as well as a sandy slog through a portion of Davidson Canyon. Runners will visit the aid station at Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead two times before their return to the finish line at Colossal Cave Mountain Park. The event is limited to only 100 runners. Register here.

AZT Opens After Cat Fire Extinguished by Rain

The Kaibab National Forest announced today that the Arizona Trail, East Rim View Trailhead and other trails/roads within the vicinity of the Cat Fire have reopened after three days of heavy rain put the Cat Fire to sleep. This is just in time…since the North Rim Ramble presented by Summit Hut is happening this Sunday, August 26!

The Cat Fire scorched portions of the Saddle Mountain Wilderness and Kaibab National Forest east of the AZT over the past two weeks. The fire was started by lightning, then extinguished by monsoon rains.

Triple 50 Awards Fiesta

On May 11, ultra runners from throughout southern Arizona gathered at Borderlands Brewing to celebrate the 13 individuals who completed the Southern Arizona Triple 50 in 2017-18. Custom embroidered Salomon running jackets were given to all award recipients, along with a commemorative Triple 50 poster from Cirrus Visual Communication. Kevin Cross, the fastest person to complete all three 50-mile events, was also given a Royal Robbins polo shirt and an AZT mug.

The Southern Arizona Triple 50 has grown from 3 finishers in its first year to 13! Who’s up for the challenge in 2018-19? The first event in the series is happening on November 10.

Photo

Back row (l-r): Colossal-Vail 50/50 Race Committee Member Mike Duer; Julia Kemper (5th female); Arizona Trail Association Executive Director Matt Nelson; Deron Ruse (4th male); Wieke De Boer (4th); Rachel Dockender (2nd); Steve Greenwell (3rd); Kevin Cross (1st).

Front row (l-r): Old Pueblo 50 Race Director Bob Bachani; Oracle Rumble Race Director Steve Outridge; James Sinclair (7th); Nathan Warner (2nd); Robert Harris (8th).

Not pictured: Tonya Littlehales (1st); Holly Hovious (3rd); Trahern Jones (5th); Jason Butler (6th).

Packet Pick-up for Vail Scramble

Registered runners can pick up their T-shirt, race #, BottleBand, Summit Hut coupon and other goodies at Summit Hut (5251 E. Speedway Blvd) from 1 pm – 5 pm on Saturday, April 14. Summit Hut will also give pint glasses to the first 150 participants who show up to packet pick-up!

If you can’t make it to Summit Hut on Saturday, April 14, you can also pick up your goodies on the morning of the event, from 5:30 – 6:30 am at the event parking area: Vail School District Office (13801 E. Benson Highway Vail, AZ 85641).

All runners will receive their timing chip on the morning of the event, at the registration table at Vail School District Office.

See you then!

Vail Scramble returns on April 15!

The Vail Scramble presented by Summit Hut returns on Sunday, April 15. 250 trail runners will challenge themselves on the Las Cienegas Passage of the Arizona Trail in half-marathon and 10K events. Transportation is provided to the start lines of both events, with a shared finish line at the Gabe Zimmerman Davidson Canyon Trailhead. All proceeds benefit the Arizona Trail Association and our mission to protect and maintain the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

To register, click here.

To learn more about the event, please visit this page.

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