Soulstice Mountain Trail Run

Your registration fee includes a hi-tech colorful Sweatvac $30 value dye-sublimated t-shirt, race poster, Biff's Bagels, live music, Fratellis pizza at the evening post-race party at the Pay-N-Take, and FREE downloadable high resolution photos from all of our photographers. For these reasons, in 2011, Runner's World Magazine 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." READ THE STORY HERE.

As a result of the continuing long-term effects of three fires over the past decade, and the uncertainty of the opening of Schultz Pass Road, 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 ($421 per person, $841 per couple) by taking the Arizona Tax Credit for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff. If you do, you will have the option of attending the NATRA tables at the April 6th Free Big Brunch at Twin Arrows Casino, get guaranteed FREE Soulstice entry (since you get your credit back from the State), and receive $100 worth of Soulstice raffle tickets, so please sign up as soon as possible for the brunch at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WJGRCPN

Legacy runners with at least 7 Soulstice finishes under their belts must register before the April 30th lottery deadline to guarantee entry.  After the May 1st lottery, there are absolutely no refunds, however, we will allow up to 10 deferrals into the following year's race. If you don't get into the race through the lottery, your money will be refunded shortly after May 1st. 142 runners have done the race at least seven times! See the list here. 

 

 

Jacqueline Weintraub

 

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. READ NEIL'S "ODE TO JACKIE" HIGH COUNTRY RUNNING COLUMN HERE. 

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. 

 

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff (BBBSF)

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. After he retired from his job as an archaeologist for the Kaibab National Forest in 2020, Neil was matched in the community-based program with his little brother Zach, and they have had a blast together. One of their favorite activities is running the BBBRF 5K together, where Zach has PR'd the past three years! 

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 help create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. 

To learn more about BBBSF and how your donation of up to $421 (individual) or $841 (per couple) can be fully refunded as a line item credit on your Arizona Tax return, visit https://www.flagstafftaxcredit.org/about. To donate and or attend the April 6th Twin Arrows FREE big brunch, sign up here - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WJGRCPN

To make your donation before the April 6th Twin Arrows event, visit https://bigbrothersbigsistersofflagstaff-bloom.kindful.com/ and choose Soulstice in the drop-down menu. Once you have donated, email me a copy of the receipt (natrallc2017@gmail.com) and I will send you a coupon code to register for FREE! It is as simple as that! 

THANK YOU!!!! Flagstaff runners strong!

 

With the race's venue in Government Prairie, it is more family friendly than ever. This year we will be highlighting the historic Beale Wagon Road that is adjacent to the northeast side of the long course. NATRA's friend Eric Souder and his camels Rakuda and Gamal will be at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff Aid station and we will have a photographer there to take pictures of you running by or with the camels!  Click here to learn more about the role camels played in the construction of the Beale Wagon Road between 1857 and 1859.

The race takes place at 8 AM on October 12, 2024. As our Forest Service permit limits us to a field of 225 runners, registration for the May 1st legacy/lottery opens December 31st at 6 PM AZ Time and runs through April 30th. If you register for the lottery between 6 PM December 31st and January 3rd, you will get a $10 discount.  If you don't get in through the lottery, you will have your money refunded right after May 1st (Most do get in). 

The first post-race party begins after you cross the finish line!  Take the short walk back to the beautiful Langner Ranch and enjoy live music by Paul Webber, snacks, and beverages! 

Around 10 AM we begin announcing awards which are followed by the always epic Aspen Sports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff raffle with over $5000 in sports and camping gear. So plan to stick around and enjoy the Langner Ranch's scenic views, live music, and camaraderie. 

At 6 PM, finish off your day by heading down to the Pay N' Take for free Fratelli's Pizza. It is a great way to chill and reflect on the race. 

 

 

We are excited to add a new activity to the Soulstice Mountain Trail Run post-race party!  Runners who are interested in a relaxing post-race stretch can join our first-ever yoga class led by Soulstice runner and The Foundry Hot Yoga & Fitness instructor Stephanie Welch. Whether you are new to yoga or a veteran, stick around as after the awards, picture yourself doing yoga against the spectacular backdrop of the San Francisco Peaks. 

The Foundry Hot Yoga & Fitness provides classes with a holistic experience that delivers total health through the balancing of every system in the body. Through their heated classes, you will train both the mind (concentration, patience, determination, and self-control) as well as the physical body (strength, flexibility, and balance). To learn more visit their web page at https://thefoundryyoga.com/

Below are course links to Strava Maps

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!   

Soulstice 11.2 miler (aka Long Course)- https://www.strava.com/routes/3143902483190980826

Soulstice 10K (aka Short Course) -https://www.strava.com/routes/3143900719407943042

 

 

Government Prairie, Kaibab National Forest
Parks, AZ US 86018

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