Arizona Runners Get a Trail Series of Their Own

Estrella Mountain race on Oct. 3 will be first XTERRA event in Arizona

Arizona runners looking to become trail blazers will finally get their chance on Oct. 3.

And you don't necessarily have to be fast. Every runner entered in the inaugural XTERRA Estrella Mountain Trail Run on Oct. 3 will be making history, as the event will be the first XTERRA trail run ever staged in the state of Arizona.

The XTERRA Arizona Trail Run Series will feature three races on the 2010-11 schedule, including the Estrella Mountain Trail Run on Oct. 3.

"I've been getting great feedback from local runners, club organizers and other race directors," Arizona series director Shannon Lindner said.

"It's been really encouraging."

Between 250 and 300 runners are expected to participate in the first race at Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Goodyear, Arizona. Lindner describes the 20-kilometer trail as a "solid intermediate course" that includes "some pretty rocky sections, but not too extreme as far as elevation changes."

The course is actually popular with mountain bikers, so it will also serve as a rare chance for trail runners to have the venue to themselves. In addition to the 20-kilometer course, there will also be a separate 8-kilometer course for less experienced runners.

Among the Arizona runners registered to participate are Katie Ellis, who is considered one of the top triathletes in the state, and 16-year-old Jaxon Rickel, who recently won a 2010 XTERRA Trail Run National Championship for his age group.

Arizona is one of 10 regions hosting an XTERRA Trail Run Series during the 2010-11 season. The others are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Long Island, Ohio, North Carolina, Philadelphia, Southern California and Texas.

Lindner decided to create an XTERRA Arizona Series after watching her brother, Brennan, direct the XTERRA SoCal Series.

At the conclusion of the 2010-11 season, the top age-group runners from each region will receive free entry to the XTERRA Trail Run National Championship.

The next two Arizona races will be held in January and February. Lindner noted that the Arizona races are being staged during the fall/winter months to avoid the extreme heat during the spring/summer months.

For more information on the XTERRA Arizona Trail Run Series, visit www.xterratrailrun.com or www.aztrailrace.com.

XTERRA ESTRELLA MOUNTAIN TRAIL RUN
Where: Estrella Mountain Regional Park, Goodyear, Arizona
When: Sunday, Oct. 3, 7 a.m. start
Entry fees: $35 for 20K race, $30 for 8K race
Information: www.xterratrailrun.com or www.aztrailrace.com

2010-11 XTERRA TRAIL RUN SERIES
Date  Event    Distance Site
Oct. 3, 2010 Estrella Mountain Trail Run 20k or 8k Goodyear, Arizona
Jan. 9, 2011 White Tanks Trail Run  19k or 6.4k Waddell, Arizona
Feb. 6, 2011 McDowell Mountain Trail Run 24k or 7k Fountain Hills, Arizona

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