Quick hits for a Monday morning:
–The news last week that, in addition to executive director Ben Rosario’s departure, eight NAZ Elite marathoners will not be offered new contracts in 2025 has garnered an outpouring of social-media support for the departing runners.
Already, two veterans — Aliphine Tuliamuk and Matt Baxter — have penned their goodbyes, of sorts, to Flagstaff on Instagram.
Tuliamuk, whose prime residence has been Santa Fe. N.M., but also lived in Flagstaff wrote:
I have had a lot of people reaching out to ask me how I am doing after the Runners World article about HOKA NAZ from 2 days ago. Thank you all, I am okay. I am back home in Santa Fe and taking a moment to determine the next chapter. I am very motivated to continue in this sport and compete at the highest levels.
This year has been very hard for my career because of my hamstring. Last year, I came off the Boston Marathon finishing 11th, in a PR of 2:24. I was fired up and was looking forward to going for a low 2:20 in Chicago.
That summer our new head coach Alan Culpepper was let go. I trusted Alan’s training completely. In my opinion, Alan is brilliant in his coaching.
Another search for a new NAZ Elite coach was draining (athletes were deeply involved in the process). By September I was burnt out, both my hamstrings were not doing well, and the Chicago Marathon was around the corner. So after the 20K champs which were rough, I went to Kenya to get away from the stressful situation in Flagstaff, focus on training and get good massages (in Kenya deep tissue massages are affordable, & readily available), I thought this’s all I needed. Two weeks later, I tore my right hamstring (high grade partial tear). In retrospect, this should’ve been the time to take a step back focus on my health & the upcoming Olympic Trials.
I have been working hard to heal my hamstrings. Things have improved significantly, but training while managing them so I can do my job hasn’t been easy; this left me with a DNF at the Olympic Trials & a mediocre performance at this year’s New York City Marathon.
Throughout all of these transitions, Jenna Wrieden was a consistent supporter. I am grateful for her guidance over the last 4 years.
Jack Mullaney is a genuine person & a caring coach, but I never had a chance to do his marathon training in full health. I wish him well.
My time with NAZ Elite teammates, Hoka and Coach Ben Rosario was the best. I will never forget it. I didn’t see things coming to an end this way but I wish everyone the very best.
Baxter, who came from his native New Zealand to Flagstaff first to run for NAU and then NAZ Elite, said on Instagram that he and his family have returned to New Zealand for good. He wrote:
Flagstaff has been our home away from home for nine years. Emily and I arrived in 2016, knowing nothing about this beautiful mountain town we had come to. We were greeted by a snow storm that had us questioning our decision to leave the comforts of what we had left behind.
Three years of unforgettable experiences were the chapters that followed. Our NAU coaches and teammates welcomed us with open arms. Immediately we felt a sense of belonging. And for that, we will forever be proud Lumberjacks!
The next six years were a bonus. Little Matt never could have imagined that one day he would call himself a professional athlete. What a dream.
During my six years with Hoka and NAZ Elite, I had the fortune of working with some incredible coaches and teammates. I miss you lot already.
Flagstaff became more than just a place where Emily and I lived. It was where we welcomed our son, Miles, into the world. He will always be reminded about his first home when he hears his middle name, Aspen—like the trees that turn golden in the fall where his mum and I love to run.
I am incredibly proud of the work Ron Mann, Soulstice Publishing and I put into creating (the book) “Running Up the Mountain.” That story will outlive us and hopefully bring more athletes to town who arrive with an appreciation for the rich history of the Flagstaff running community.
There are many things I will miss about not living in Flagstaff. The biggest ones are the trails, the community, my mentors, and my friends.
As I wave goodbye to the San Francisco Peaks, my heart returns to Taranaki Maunga. Home. The place where I learned to run. My journey in this sport will continue from Aotearoa New Zealand.
With my Flagstaff residency officially coming to an end, my family must say farewell, see you sometime, and thanks for everything.
— European Cross Country Championships: Former NAU cross country and track distance standout Aaron Las Heras was part of the Spanish national team that won the team title Saturday at the Euro Cross race in Turkey.
Las Heras finished 14th overall in the 8K race in 22:51, as Spain took five of the top 14 spots. Norway superstar Jacob Ingebrigtsen won the race in 22:16.
— The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run lottery was held Saturday, and the big joke among trail runners is that it’s almost easier to win the actual Lotto than to get selected for America’s most prestigious ultra race.
Happy to report that two longtime Flagstaff ultra runners, Melissa Ostaszewski and Morgan Mahn had their names drawn. Now all they’ve got to do is train for June’s race in Auburn, Calif., where it could be snowy and blazing hot — or both — on race day.
— The weekly “High Country Running” column in the Arizona Daily Sun has been discontinued after 15 years when tireless coordinator Julie Hammonds stepped down.
But the most dedicated volunteer/running maven in Flagstaff, Neil Weintraub (founder of the Northern Arizona Trail Runners Assn. and race director for the Soulstice Mountain Run and Big Brothers Big Sisters Half Marathon) has stepped in to help.
Weintraub posted on Facebook over the weekend that “NATRA will periodically post and share columns by those of you willing to write them.” Weintraub wrote that people can submit their personal stories by emailing him at [email protected]. Weintraub added: “I will not be editing any of the submissions, so please make sure it is well written and you have someone proof it before sending it to me.”
— Here’s a great holiday gift idea for the runner in your life, especially young runners: Hypo2 sports psychologist Shannon Thompson is offering two packages of discussions that deal with the mental side of running, featuring guests such as Nico Young, Drew Bosley and Krissy Gear. Cost: 5 sessions/6 hours, $145.
Here’s a link to get more information on the offer by Thompson, who has been a psychological coach to NAU and many pros over the years.
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