NATRA – A Brief History and Who We Are

In October 2001, a few members of what has now grown to become NATRA, (Because trail runners do it NATRAlly), put on a trail running race in Flagstaff. The Soulstice Mountain Trail Run (a 11.5 mile course) stands as one of the few trail running races that has ever been staged in Flagstaff. It was first run in 1997 by NATRA member, Bill Ring of Soulstice Racing Company with 34 entrants. Now organized by NATRA, the 2007 race has met its 200 runner cap more than 4 months prior to race day.

After the 2001 race, a few runners put forth the idea of forming a regular running group and thus the Saturday group runs were born! NATRA’s regular Saturday group run began on October 27^th 2001, with a fledgling group of only 6 runners. Now almost 6 years later, we have now reached 412 members. There is no cost for participation. We have held group runs every Saturday for almost 6 years, even in wind, rain and snow. We only cancel group runs in favor of local running races.

The Saturday run is comprised of runners of varying ages and capabilities and they range from some of Arizona’s elite short and long distance competitors to strong intermediate and beginner runners. In short, no matter what your running capability, you are welcome and would surely have someone to run with. Anyone visiting our web page or “catching wind” of our runs is welcome to come out and join the group.

Group run sizes have varied but grown sizeable since our inception. We have had as many as 37 runners and 6 dogs on one run! The runs are typically between 6-10 miles on an “out and back” trail or loop course, usually starting out uphill, and then finishing downhill. Some prefer to run shorter distances and they simply turn back at their desired point.

Given the wonderful plethora of trails we have here in Northern Arizona, the group has kept things interesting and lively by periodically introducing new trail runs each, either in the Flagstaff or Sedona area. We now incorporate over 40 different trail runs into a year of running. Any member of the group can suggest and/or lead a run on their favorite trail. Details of these runs are posted on this web site’s index (click on “Next Run”).

NATRA will also stage the Soulstice Mountain Trail Run again on October 13, 2007. So come join us…you’ll learn to love breathing hard while still managing to enjoy the beauty of Northern Arizona’s forest trails.