Kahtoola Virtual Run to Benefit Havasupai Tribe COVID-19 Relief Fund

Thank you for helping us raise $25,000!

Kahtoola is committed to helping support those most impacted by COVID-19 and giving back to local and tribal communities, and has long been an opponent of uranium mining in the Grand Canyon region—a risky form of development that threatens the Grand Canyon we all love. The Havasupai Tribe has led the ongoing fight to keep uranium mining near the Grand Canyon at bay (learn more here) and right now, amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, the Tribe that has fought for decades on behalf of all of us who cherish the Grand Canyon, could use our support.

As a way of offering a helping hand during this difficult time, we will be hosting a virtual run from May 1-10, 2020 to raise funds for the Havasupai Tribe’s COVID-19 relief fund. 

The Havasupai Tribe is remotely located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon—an 8-mile journey by mule, on foot, or by helicopter—a factor that compounds the community’s risk during this pandemic, where access to healthcare is critical. Healthcare supplies and medical access in the community itself are extremely limited, and tourism (on which the tribe relies economically) and all non-essential travel in and out of the Canyon have been suspended. Additionally, there is some uncertainty around what government aid will be available and when. For all of these reasons, Kahtoola would like to help the Havasupai community ensure they have the resources they need now to stay safe with adequate supplies in their remote canyon home. 

Please help us support the Havasupai Tribe by registering for our Kahtoola Virtual Run. All proceeds will be paid in full directly to the Tribe to support immediate relief. This fundraiser is a great way to get outside, practice safe social distancing, and aid in community relief efforts.

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Social Distancing

This virtual event is designed to encourage people to be safely active and creative during the Coronavirus pandemic, while also supporting a great cause. Run outside on local trails, neighborhood streets, or even in place in your living room with the whole family! To remain in accordance with local ordinances and to practice responsible social distancing, we ask that all participants run solo unless registered and participating with your family or a significant other that you live with. This is a virtual experience, NOT a reason to gather in person with friends. 

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Rules

Register as an individual or family (only one family member is required to register); complete one of the distances between May 1-10, 2020; track and record your time; and win awards that also support local Flagstaff businesses! 

You do not have to be a Flagstaff, AZ resident to participate. (If you do not live in Arizona and win an award, you can defer or have it mailed to you.)

Distances

5k and 8-mile (the distance from Hualapai Hilltop parking to the Supai Village). 

Please DO NOT attempt to get on the actual Havasupai Trail when completing your virtual run. The trail is currently closed and outsiders are prohibited from entering Havasupai lands as a measure of protection for the Tribe’s community members during this pandemic. Please be respectful and responsible in completing your run and adhere to all restrictions that apply to your location. Kahtoola is not responsible for the consequences of any violation a participant makes and your entry will be disqualified if violations are discovered.

Registration

Registration is open from April 16-May 8, 2020 and closes at midnight on May 8, 2020.

Cost

The cost to register is FREE for either distance! However, in order to participate, we do ask that you donate or raise at least $5. If you are unable to do so by the end of the event, your credit card will be charged $5.20. You WILL NOT be charged any more than that amount, regardless of what your fundraising goal is. Because this is a fundraiser, refunds WILL NOT be issued.

Fundraising

We have set a goal of $10,000 that we believe can be met with your help! (We more than doubled our goal, raising $25,000!)

Fundraising Teams

We will be allowing teams of four ONLY. Each team MUST have a team name, and each member needs to register with that team name as well as their given name. We kindly ask that you DO NOT run together (please see “Social Distancing” above). Each team member will be required to upload their times individually. The team that raises the most money, each member will receive a $25 gift card to Dark Sky Brewing Co. (see “Awards” below).

At registration, you will be provided with a personal link and fundraising message that can be shared with family and friends so they can donate up until the end of the run period at 6 p.m. on May 10, 2020. All donations will go directly to Kahtoola to be tracked and totaled, and then given directly to the Havasupai Tribe to be used for COVID-19 relief efforts. You can also donate by clicking the “donate” button if you don’t want to participate, but still want to support the Tribe. Cash donations WILL NOT be accepted.

Timing

All times will be tracked and recorded by each participant based on the honor system. Regardless of how your time is tracked, we expect that all times will be recorded accurately and truthfully. Once your run is completed, simply enter your time by clicking the "RESULTS" tab at the top of the page. All times must be entered by 6 p.m. on May 10, 2020 and will be approved before being posted. 

Slowest Time

For those competing for the Slowest Time award, you will be required to submit a brief explanation to kahtoola@gmail.com of how you completed your distance. Distances can be accomplished and tracked over multiple days, and you can be as creative or have as much fun with it as you’d like. Again, this is based on the honor system and subject to review by Kahtoola. We understand not everyone wants to be recognized for having the slowest time, which we respect. This is a way to prevent us from doing so.

Elevation Gain/Best Costume

For those competing for the Elevation Gain or Best Costume award, you MUST submit visual proof to kahtoola@gmail.com. If you’re going for Elevation Gain, please send a photo of however you tracked your gain. If you’re going for Best Costume, please send a photo of your and/or your family in costume during your run. 

Awards

As a way to also support local business during this event, Kahtoola has purchased $100 gift cards to some of our favorite Flagstaff restaurants and shops that will be awarded for the following categories. (Please note: We will contact all winners via email about claiming their prize.) 

      5K

• Fastest Overall Male and Female - $100 to Tourist Home / $100 to Peace Surplus
  • Winners: Jake Green, Chapel Hill, NC (17:45) / Brenna Cornell, Flagstaff, AZ (19:16)
• Slowest Overall Male and Female - $100 to Salsa Brava / $100 to Aspen Sports
  • Winners: Patty Short, Phoenix, AZ (1:05:57) / We did not have a winner for Male Slowest Time (deferred to Elevation Gain)
• Fastest Family (Family must complete distance together) - $100 Bright Side Book Shop
  • Winners: Pam O’Neil and her family, Reading, MA (31:33)

      8 Mile

• Fastest Overall Male and Female - $100 to Shift / $100 to Mountain Sports
  • Winners: Stephen Kersh, Flagstaff, AZ (55:14) / Morgan Jamiel, Somerville, MA (1:05:00)
• Slowest Overall Male and Female - $100 to Pizzicletta / $100 to Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters
  • Winners: Drew Frehs, Sedona, AZ (3:03:06) / Katie Shallcross, Tucson, AZ (1:54:00)
• Fastest Family (Family must complete distance together) - One night stay in a yurt or cabin at the Arizona Nordic Village
  • Winners: Buck and Hank Blankenship, Flagstaff, AZ (1:02:05)

     Other

• Most Elevation Gain - Unisex (Must show visual proof via email) - $100 to Run Flagstaff
  • Winners: Drew Frehs, Sedona, AZ (5,674 ft) / *Most Direct Elevation Gain (see Male Slowest Time): Ari Wilder, Flagstaff, AZ (4,000 ft)
• Best Costume (Must be worn during run and photo sent via email) - $100 to Incahoots Vintage Clothing
  • Winners: Alyssa and Eric Retterbush
• Top Fundraiser (Individual) - Annual National Park Pass
  • Winners: Carmenlita Chief ($1,005)
• Top Team Fundraiser - $100 to Dark Sky Brewing Co.
  • Winners: Friends of Rob Krar and Christina Bauer ($2,141)

A BIG shout out and THANK YOU to everyone who participated, supported and/or contributed! View the Zoom awards/fundraising ceremony on Facebook.