Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association

Welcome to Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association Web Site.  Founded in summer 2001, NATRA’s mission is to promote trail running in Northern Arizona to folks of all abilities.  We organize group runs at various trails on Saturday mornings and in Buffalo Park on Sundays at 9 AM and Monday evenings at 6:00 PM whether there is rain, snow or shine! If you are new to running or a seasoned veteran, come join us off road and discover the incredible forest trails of Northern Arizona.  Contact NATRA if you would like to be on our e-mail list.  There is no fee to join the group, so bookmark NATRA to stay updated on the latest group run information!  Happy Trails!

5/2/2008:On-line Registration is open for the August 9th, 31st Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Half Marathon, Half Marathon Walk and 5K ! You can also now download the form and waiver! New for this year is a Kid's Dash for those under 12. Call the Big Brothers Big Sisters Office for more details at 774-0649. Your registration fee includes a free pre-race pasta dinner, a Diamondbacks ticket for August 23rd game where Dbacks will honor all run participants, a long-sleeved shirt and a ticket for great raffle prizes! Sign up today! Also, if you visit www.bbbsf.com and create a pledge web page and raise over $100, your registration fee will be waived! Call 774-0649 for more details!

5/2/2008:4th Annual Blue Cross Blue Shield Flagstaff Summer Running Series is here! Read details and register here on Active.com. You can now download the registration form and mail in.

4/28/2008:Arizona Republic article on High Altitude Center! !

4/28/2008:8th Annual Soulstice Mountain Trail Race Registration is closed! If you registered and wish to be considered for the Salomon Flagstaff Mountain Trail Runner Trophy ($2,000 in cash prizes), also sign up for the Flagstaff Nordic Center's Gaspin in the Aspen 15 K on June 21st and the North Country Community Health Center Flagstaff Half Marathon (or marathon) and 10K on September 27. To qualify, you must e-mail us at neilw@npgcable.com and do all short courses (5K - Gaspin,10K - Northland, 10K- Soulstice) or all long courses (15K - Gaspin, Half or Marathon - Northland, 11.25 mi - Soulstice) at the three races. If you choose to do the Marathon your time will simply be divided in half. Visit the Flagstaff Nordic Center web site to register for the Gaspin in the Aspen and North Country Community Health Center Races ASAP!

4/27/2008:Synergy Total Fitness is offering NATRA runners a free visit to their Yoga for athletes class on Wednesday evenings at 6PM. They are located in the Cedar Hill shopping plaza next to Brandy's Restaurant!

4/1/2008:Girls on the Run International has granted approval for Flagstaff resident Stephanie Ludwig to operate a Girls on the Run council in Coconino County. Girls on the Run is a non-profit prevention program that encourages pre-teen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Read the news release for all the details!

4/1/2008:Run for the Fallen (www.runforthefallen.org) is a non-political cross country run dedicated to commemorating the American soldiers who have given their lives while serving our nation in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Beginning June 14, 2008, a dedicated team of runners will run one mile for every soldier killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. At the completion of every mile, an American flag and a personalized sign card will be placed in remembrance of each fallen soldier. Right now, they plan on covering over more than 4,000 miles and 13 states before finishing at Arlington National Cemetery on August 24, 2008. They hope to enter Arizona on Rt. 163 on Monday June 23, run near Prescott (June 25/26), Sedona (June 26/27), Flagstaff (June 27/28) and Tuba City (June 29) before entering Utah on June 30. For more information, visit Run for the Fallen web page. As this event gets closer, we'll try to see if we can get some NATRA runners to join in through Flagstaff!!!

3/23/2008:NATRA runner David Blanchard recently visited New Zealand. Check out his beautiful photographs.

3/3/2008:NATRA Team 1 defends their Ragnar Relay Mixed-Open Divsion Title and the non-competitive team finishes 10th out of 58!!!! View photographs from the 182 mile relay race from Wickenburg to Mesa . See Janel's photographs. View Diana's Van 2 photos. See overall Ragnar results! Three Flagstaff teams finished in the top 16!

2/20/2008:On February 23rd, NATRA will once again bowl to help raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff. Last year we raised over $800 and we'd like to at least double that! Visit our fundraising page and help match a child with an appropriate adult mentor today!

2/20/2008:Sedona Marathon NATRA Aid Station 5 photographs.

2/20/2008:March 8th Kahtoola Uphill Snowshoe Climb info and April 13th Lake Havasu Half Marathon web site.

2/7/2008:On February 28th, Core Balance Therapy will host a free running clinic. They will be offering gait analysis with video, advice on cross-training and training regimens, orthotic advice, running shoe advice and other info.  There will be 4 physical therapists and one athletic trainer running the stations, and shoe reps on site.  This clinic is geared toward non-elite runners who are interested in recreational and competitive running who want insight into injury prevention or recovery, as well as training advice. The clinic takes place at CoreBalance Therapy, 906 W. University Street from 4:30-9 with sign-up slots. Call (928) 556-9935 for more info.

2/4/2008:Due to its great success, on February 21st, there will be an encore presentation of Spirit of the Marathon in theatres across the country. The story follows six marathoners ranging from amateurs to professionals in their quest to compete in the 2005 Chicago Marathon. The movie is not only inspirational for runners, but it provides insights that may help non-running partners better understand the lure of distance running!

1/3/2008:Check out the must see Flagstaff running video!

1/3/2008:Happy Holidays! Download the NATRA 2007 report!

11/29/2007:As many of you know, we lost one of our most talented distance runners during the Olympic Trials in New York City on November 3rd. Ryan Shay was not only a testament to what hard work and dedication can produce, but he was also a respected, fierce competitor, friend to many and a husband. As a request for those close to Ryan, Northern Arizona University Center for High Altitude Training has set up a Memorial Fund to help talented runners like Ryan train and live in Flagstaff. If you are interested in contributing to the fund visit the above web page and read the details.

10/21/2007:Additional Soulstice photos posted by Kara Huffman's dad Will Koenitzer.

10/14/2007: Saturday group runs updated through January. Buffalo Park Monday evening run now begins at 4:30 PM. Buffalo Park Sunday run now starts at 9 AM.

10/13/2007: Soulstice 2007 Photos posted! Congratulations to Jared Scott and Erika Edwards who won the Soulstice Mountain Trail Long Course races on a cool crisp classic autumn day! Jared shattered the men's record by over 5 minutes (formerly set on a shorter course!) with an astounding 69:10. Erika's 85:52 shattered the women's mark by over 5 minutes as well! In the sprint course, Erin Hutchinson's 44:33 took the men's title while Amber Randall's 46:53 took top honors among women. Amber lowered the women's sprint course record by almost 4 minutes! Congrats to all record 171 finishers and volunteers who helped with the 8th running! Results posted for Soulstice 2007 Divisions. Please contact us with corrections.

10/12/2007: Soulstice 2002 Photos!; Soulstice 2004 Photos!; Soulstice 2005 Photos!; Soulstice 2006 Photos!;

10/8/2007:War Dog photos taken 10/7/2007.

9/23/2007:Soulstice results history by name since 2003 revised (shortened) course and divisional results history since 2002.

8/28/2007:Check out blogs of Greg McMillan's Olympic hopefuls training in Flagstaff!

8/28/2007:Flagstaff is listed in September Runner's World On the Road feature article.

8/15/2007:For new events, check out Flagstaff's running portal on the Web at flagstaffrunning.com. Hosted by Elite Coach Greg McMillan, see why Flagstaff is quickly becoming known as one of the best places to train in the country! Looking to pick up your pace? Flagstaff's best kept secret isTeam Altius. Coach Michael Smith trains locals to run their best on Tuesday evenings!

8/15/2007:Final Flagstaff Summer Running Series Standings. Yellow highlight indicates Salomon Trail Shoes winners. Top runners in all divisions receive additional 50 dollar gift certificate to Aspen Sports!

8/15/2007:For past news and race results, click on news archives to left!