The Soulstice Mountain Trail Run is held in the memory of race director Neil Weintraub's mother Jacqueline. Known to Flagstaff runners as Jackie, Neil's mom was a lifelong supporter of his running endeavors beginning with his first 15K at only 12 years old. Mom was at the finish line of nearly all his races that included six New York City Marathons. When Neil voluntarily started directing Flagstaff events, Jackie would drive 11 hours from San Francisco just to help time the race and party with Soulstice runners. Vibrant and involved, in the months before she unexpectedly passed away, Jackie had completed a 400 mile bike tour of the Northwest and enjoyed a dream safari in South Africa.
In 2015 Neil renamed Flagstaff's beloved trail run after Jackie. A moment of silence has been held in her honor each year at the beginning of the race.
We know Jackie's there on the mountain with us cheering on every runner.
In 2023, we will also be honoring the memory of Soulstice runner, decorated Marine, and humanitarian aid worker Pete Reed who was tragically killed in Ukraine in early February, while saving lives on the frontlines. While Pete lived in Flagstaff for just under two years, many of you met him either at Soulstice in 2021 or when he supported his wife Alex at her ultramarathons. To learn more about Pete and his heroic life, read Soulstice runner Sam McManis' Arizona Daily Sun story.
Folks, except for the kid's dash, registration is now closed for the October 14th is the 24th edition of the Jackie Weintraub Memorial Soulstice Mountain Trail Run. To see if you made it through the lottery, click on Find a Participant and enter your name and birthdate.
As a result of the long term effects of three fires over the past decade, and uncertainty of future flooding that will likely prohibit us from using the traditional course for the foreseeable future, we will again hold the race just west of Flagstaff in the stunningly beautiful Government Prairie grassland. READ THE STORY HERE. 25 runners can guarantee entry by taking the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff ($400 per person, $800 per couple) prior to April 15th, 2023 (Contact Neil ASAP once you have made your donation at natrallc2017@gmail.com). Legacy runners with at least 7 Soulstices under their belts must register prior to the lottery to guarantee entry. Here is the updated list for 2023. In 2012, Runners World listed Soulstice as one of the top 32 trail races in the United States, and calling it "one of the best post race parties anywhere." After the April 1st Lottery, there are absolutely no refunds, however we will allow up to 10 deferrals into the following year's race.
All of the proceeds from Soulstice, the post-race raffle, and Arizona Tax Credit donations benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff (BBBSF). Race Director Neil Weintraub joined the Board of Directors shortly a month before running his first Soulstice race in 2001, and became a volunteer school-based mentor in 2002. Seeing the importance of mentorship to children in need, Neil has voluntarily directed both the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff Half Marathon and Soulstice to raise funds in support of BBBSF programs. Revenues generated by these events helps to provide children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives forever for the better. To learn more about BBBSF and how your donation of up to $400 (individual) or $800 (per couple) can be fully refunded as a line item credit on your Arizona Tax return, visit https://www.flagstaffbigs.org/donate. Once you do this, please send an email to natrallc2017@gmail.com and I will send you a coupon code to register.
Flagstaff runners strong!
Soulstice is a celebration of fall and all things Flagstaff trail running. This year we are confident that we will be holding the race in person with whatever safety protocols we need to put in place as we did last year. As a result of forest closures, fires, and flooding, we will be moving the race to Government Prairie north of Parks, AZ. We also will continue our tradition of a post-race raffle and party. So it is time to get you Soulstice party hat on and register today!
The race takes place at 8 AM on October 14, 2023. As our Forest Service permit limits us to a field of 225 runners, registration for the April 1st legacy/lottery opens December 31st at 9 PM AZ Time and runs through March 31st. If you register for the lottery by 11:59 PM on January 2nd, you will get a $10 discount.
Below are course links to maps, gpx files, and the course layout from the 2022 race. While we are proposing a nearby alternative course, this will be our fall back if it is not approved.
If you plan on driving out to test the course, please do so ever so slowly and no faster than 15 MPH, especially within the residential neighborhood that you will pass through to access the route. The residents I've met are excited about having Soulstice take place in Government Prairie, and we want to keep them happy! Also, Coconino County road crews are reconstructing historic Route 66 with flaggers so use caution when passing through the construction zone!
Soulstice 11.0 miler (aka Long Course)- https://www.strava.com/routes/2995430300177792854
Soulstice 10K (aka Short Course) -https://www.strava.com/activities/7797134801
Soulstice 10K GPX File for download
Soulstice Long Course (11 Miles) for download
Additional race information can be found at https://www.natra.org/soulstice.
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