Jamil & I at the finish line in 2012. The first person to ever cross under this sign.
After this announcement there was a quite a response from the ultra running community regarding my decision to step back from race directing. Much of it was exactly as I expected. People would certainly understand the decision and people would certainly be disappointed it wasn't going to continue on. It was clear though that letting the race outright "die" was not something a lot of people wanted to see happen.
I had several people reach out right away asking how they could help in keeping it going. Past entrants, volunteers, race directors of other ultras around the region and country. In the end though there was only one right fit for me to keep the race going.
He just happens to also be our inaugural winner, Jamil Coury, founder of Aravaipa Running.
Jamil has long been a supporter of the Monster and a natural fit to take over our race. Jamil not only won our inaugural race in 2012 but has volunteered in the race numerous years and knows the area as well as any Arizonan through years of Zane Grey racing and volunteering. His passions align with my own and I'm confident Jamil will produce the same high quality race experience he has for years with other Aravaipa race.
The Dougherty families will still be involved this year, just in a more reduced role, likely in the form of aid station captains somewhere on the course. We're fortunate to have found a great partner in Aravaipa Running that can keep our family tradition alive, while also getting back some of that time it takes every year to keep it alive. Losing the race altogether has left a pit in my stomach for months and this is a perfect alternative for all of us.
We are transitioning a number of internal items over to the Aravaipa side of life as we speak and hope to have registration open for the 2016 race by April 1st, 2016. Registration will be on www.ultrasignup.com
The tentative date for the race will be one week earlier than usual, September 17th/18th.
We hope all our past supporters will consider continuing their annual camping traditions and helping out this year. The small, old school, family run ultra feel we've developed over the years is a big appeal to many runners and I don't see any of that changing. Aravaipa brings the capability to improve many areas of the race and we're excited to help keep this racing moving forward and welcoming more incredible friends back to the Mogollon Rim this September.
Looking forward to seeing you all this fall!
-Jeremy
I had several people reach out right away asking how they could help in keeping it going. Past entrants, volunteers, race directors of other ultras around the region and country. In the end though there was only one right fit for me to keep the race going.
He just happens to also be our inaugural winner, Jamil Coury, founder of Aravaipa Running.
Jamil has long been a supporter of the Monster and a natural fit to take over our race. Jamil not only won our inaugural race in 2012 but has volunteered in the race numerous years and knows the area as well as any Arizonan through years of Zane Grey racing and volunteering. His passions align with my own and I'm confident Jamil will produce the same high quality race experience he has for years with other Aravaipa race.
The Dougherty families will still be involved this year, just in a more reduced role, likely in the form of aid station captains somewhere on the course. We're fortunate to have found a great partner in Aravaipa Running that can keep our family tradition alive, while also getting back some of that time it takes every year to keep it alive. Losing the race altogether has left a pit in my stomach for months and this is a perfect alternative for all of us.
We are transitioning a number of internal items over to the Aravaipa side of life as we speak and hope to have registration open for the 2016 race by April 1st, 2016. Registration will be on www.ultrasignup.com
The tentative date for the race will be one week earlier than usual, September 17th/18th.
We hope all our past supporters will consider continuing their annual camping traditions and helping out this year. The small, old school, family run ultra feel we've developed over the years is a big appeal to many runners and I don't see any of that changing. Aravaipa brings the capability to improve many areas of the race and we're excited to help keep this racing moving forward and welcoming more incredible friends back to the Mogollon Rim this September.
Looking forward to seeing you all this fall!
-Jeremy
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