Naatsisaan Trail Ultra 2021

Short review

NAATSISAAN TRAIL ULTRA  Navajo Mountain, Utah Saturday October 30, 2021  

Yá'át'ééh runners!  Welcome to the Naatsisaan Trail Ultra 

 

This year’s Naatsisaan Trail Ultra is dependent upon guidelines and policies of the Navajo Health Command and Operations Center.  Schedules of events, camping, and other elements of the weekend are dependent upon direction from HCOC.  Please keep advised of all guidelines via our Facebook posts and registration pages.

 

REGISTRATION – Online registration for the Naatsisaan Ultra 50K is now open and will remain open through Thursday of race week or until the race hits the 100 runner cap.  There will be no on-site registration for the 50K. Registration for the 10K will remain open online through Friday morning and again on-site on Saturday morning.  Details, photos, map and registration can be found at the NavajoYES website: www.navajoyes.org.

The 50K trail run from Navajo Mountain High School traverses challenging and stunning landscapes that offer a trail run open to experienced trail runners.

The competitive 10K trail race is a scenic and tough run on local dirt roads; there are overall and age-group awards for this event, and the course will include support and race swag.  The 10K will also begin and end at Navajo Mountain H.S.

 

COURSE & CHECKPOINTS– [The 50K course is subject to change, at the discretion of chapter leaders and/or race officials.]  The planned 50K course will include primarily dirt roads, old doubletrack and trails.   The final route will be dependent upon HCOC guidelines. The start and finish is Navajo Mountain High School.  Checkpoints will be lighter than in the past and will include more pre-packaged items.  Aid stations may include Honey Stinger energy gels, salty, sweet and high carb foods, medical support, communication and fluids. Most checkpoints will include shelter, sleeping bags/blankets and heat sources.  

The course is marked with pin flags, cairns and some signage; however, runners must study the course map, attend Friday’s runner meeting and be familiar with the route; runners should possess some basic route-finding skills.  Runners may choose to include GPS system, personal locater device/SPOT and/or satellite phone in their personal kit.  Course is subject to revision, at the discretion of race organizers and/or local and park leaders. Alternative routes may be utilized in case of bad weather.

 

RUNNER RESPONSIBILITIES: Runners will need to be prepared for extreme weather conditions and have the appropriate gear to accommodate such conditions. Appropriate rain gear and footwear are essential. Hypothermia and heat issues can both pose a real threat in the high desert in the fall season, and runners must be prepared for the potential onset of such conditions.  This is a cupless event so runners should plan to bring their own hydration system.

 

DROP BAGS: Runners in the 50K race may have one drop bag, which will be available at Old Hogan A.S.   Please bring your drop bags when picking up your packet on Friday.  

 

PACKET PICK-UP & MEETING – Packet pick-up will be available at the Navajo Mountain High School on Friday evening. The runner meeting at the Navajo Mountain High School will provide essential information about the race course and logistics for race day.  All 50K runners should try to attend this meeting.  

The meeting will include a full course description and other pertinent race information, gear check, a weather outlook and emergency preparedness discussion.  Race organizers and volunteers, chapter/school leaders, Navajo Rangers and Parks & Rec staff will also be in attendance at this meeting.  

The Kids Run kicks off Naatsisaan race weekend (left); Billy Mills, with Navajo Parks staff at the 2017 Naatsisaan Trail Ultra

 

LODGING/CAMPING – The Navajo Mountain High School is offering camping on the grounds of the school, just a short walk from the start and finish line.  Kayenta, Tuba City and Page, Arizona (each about two hours from the chapter house) have multiple lodging options

 

AWARDS – Overall and age-group awards will be presented in both the 50K and 10K.  All finishers will receive a finisher’s medal. 

 

WEATHER – The weather in the Navajo Mountain area, including the surrounding canyons, can be very volatile.  Runners should be prepared for rapid changes in conditions, including rainy conditions, wind, snow and cold. The mountain section of the route may be windy, cold and is more likely to experience snow/rain.  Less likely, but still possible, are heat issues on this route, even in late October.  Sections of the trail (between Hawkeye Arch and Old Hogan to Lakeview and back) are extremely exposed to the elements.  During heavy rains, there is high risk of flash flood in Desha Canyon and spots along the Hawkeye Arch road. Please be aware of your surroundings and be prepared for any extreme weather and trail conditions that may arise.

 

The Naatsisaan Trail Ultra and the Navajo Parks Race Series are organized by the nonprofit organization NavajoYES in collaboration with Navajo Parks & Rec.  The event has sponsorship and/or logistical support from Navajo Mountain Chapter, the Navajo Rangers, Utah Navajo Health System, Navajo Nation EMS, Navajo Telecommunication & Utilities and Teec Nos Pos Trading Post.

 

COVID GUIDELINES – The race will abide by COVID guidelines as laid out by the Health Command & Operations Center.

    Runners must wear a mask when picking up their race packet and when around the start/finish area.  There will be sanitizer stations throughout the race venue, and we request that all runners, spectators and volunteers practice social distancing.  We will have post-race snack boxes to-go, and request that runners not linger at the finish line.  Let’s keep this is a fun and safe event. Thank you for your cooperation. 

 

CONTACTS

Tom:  928.429.0345; chuskaman@yahoo.com; www.navajoyes.org 

Josh/Rocky Mountain Timing (registration/timing) 970.403.2794

www.navajoyes.org || www.facebook.com/NavajoYES