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MEDIA CONTACT Arizona Trail Association (520) 261-8460 Hikers, Runners and Riders Attempt to Complete Entire 800-mile Arizona Trail in One Day on Saturday, Oct. 12 Participants needed to sign up to set record for traveling one of nearly 100 separate segments of National Arizona Scenic Trail extending from Mexico
border to Utah border Imagine hiking, biking or riding 800 miles in a single day. Sound impossible? It’s not – if you volunteer to cover one of nearly 100 separate sections of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT), along with others who each choose to travel
different sections of the route, which extends from the Mexico border to the Utah border. A Record Setting Endeavor On Saturday, October 12, more than a thousand hikers, runners, mountain bikers and equestrians from around the world will be staged along the course to participate
in AZT in a Day in celebration of the 25th
anniversary of the Arizona Trail Association. “We want to get people out to experience the entire length of the trail and set the record for participation in a single day to celebrate our first 25 years
of existence,” said Matthew Nelson, executive director of the Arizona Trail Association. “This will be the first time a National Scenic Trail will be completed in this way,” he added. Choosing Your Section The 800-mile trail has been divided into sections ranging in length from 2.1 to 15.6 miles. Participants will have 24 hours to complete their portion of the
trail. Registration is free and is open to anyone. Participants can choose between desert, mountain, canyon, forest or urban segments of the path. The AZT passes through eight wilderness areas, four National
Forests, two National Parks, one National Memorial, 1 State Park and passes near 33 gateway communities. “We’re advising that all participants be well-prepared. Several access points require 4-wheel drive or high clearance vehicles,” said Karrie Kressler, Community
Program Coordinator. A few sections of the trail are remote and require extra planning. For these sections, participants familiar with back packing will be required to camp in particular
areas at least a day before the actual event to be ready to complete their portion on October 12, according to Kressler. “So far, we have hikers, bikers and equestrians booked for more than half of the sections, but there are still many sections that need to be covered,” Nelson
said. Fundraising Opportunities Participants who want to help raise money to support the Arizona Trail Association can appeal to family, friends and others to pledge dollars to support their
commitment on October 12. Information about fundraising can be found in the registration information online. Another fundraising opportunity to support the Arizona Trail Association is provided by Phoenix-area children’s book author Rodo Sofranac. Proceeds from the
sales of the award winning author’s most recent book, The Red Tail Tale on the Arizona Trail, will go to support the organization. The colorful, illustrated book is the story of Rowen, a young red-headed explorer, and Rojo, a clever red-tailed hawk, who meet, bond and experience a wonderful
adventure on the fascinating Arizona National Scenic Trail. A list of 22 retail outlets where the book can be purchased throughout Arizona can be found on the author’s website: rodowrites.com. How to Get Involved To sign up, get a trail map or for more information about AZT in a Day, visit
aztrail.org/events/aztinaday-2019/, email
karrie@xxxxxxxxxxx or call (520) 261-8460. EDITORS NOTE: To arrange interviews with an ATA representative, or for photographs, maps, logo or other resources, send requests via email to
karrie@xxxxxxxxxxx or call (520) 261-8460. About the Arizona Trail Association The nonprofit organization was incorporated in 1994 with the mission to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the 800-mile non-motorized Arizona Trail
as a unique encounter with the land. For more information, visit aztrail.org.
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Attachment:
AZT in a Day Release.pdf
Description: AZT in a Day Release.pdf
