On June 30, 2019, local running legend Nat White introduced Flagstaff’s first running club to High Country Running readers. He wrote how the Sisu Striders, founded in 1974, had organized the town’s first formal foot races.
Four years later, in 2023, Soulstice Publishing’s remarkable book "Running Up the Mountain" by Ron Mann and Matt Baxter documented how the Sisu Striders were formed by Scott Baxter, Ned Frederick and Jack Welch. I was a bit confused since I associated Jack Welch as Flagstaff’s beloved walking guru who passed away in 2023. I was curious to learn more about this other influential guy with the same name.
Neil Weintraub co-founded Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association, NATRA LLC so he could have friends to run with every Saturday morning. To learn more about NATRA and find links to all the other running groups in town, visit .
Rachel Smith is a professional runner and amateur mother. She is also the coordinating editor for this column and encourages people to send their stories to her at [email protected].
Having crowned its Majors and AAA city champions as both tournaments concluded on Monday, June 2, the Flagstaff Little League announced its four all-star teams for the upcoming District 1 and … Read moreFlagstaff Little League announces 2025 all-star teams
