Golden leaf aspen trees line the Aspen Vista Trail, where the Big Tesuque Trail Race takes place. Photo credit Santa Fe Striders
SANTA FE COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
“Each year, we get about 200 to 225 runners for this race. We’re permitted for up to 250, so there’s still room for more runners to join us,” said Santa Fe Striders club member and volunteer Don Brown, one of the Big Tesuque Trail Race organizers.
The race is organized by volunteers of the Santa Fe Striders, a local running club with about 400 members that puts on five races a year. Each race benefits a nonprofit and provides scholarships for athletes. Proceeds of the “Big T,” as the race is called, support Wings of America, a nonprofit that combines movement and cultural education, offering running programs to Native and Indigenous youth.
The big appeal of this race is its location amongst aspen trees changing into fall colors at high elevations in Santa Fe National Forest. The course begins at the Aspen Vista Trailhead at 10,000 feet elevation and winds up the Forest Service road to Tesuque Peak at 12,000 feet elevation, then back down. The route provides scenic views of golden leaf aspen trees.
The overall winners and age class winners will receive a beautiful handmade plate crafted in Santa Fe by local potter Mike Walsh. They also receive gift cards donated by many local businesses that sponsor the race. All finishers receive a special Big Tesuque Trail Race t-shirt and a warm breakfast burrito donated by Posa’s Tamale Factory.
The Aspen Vista Trail is Brown’s favorite place to train for the elevation challenge it offers and its natural beauty. “This is as good as anywhere in the Rockies, and our trails aren’t overcrowded,” Brown said. Visitors who are looking for a good place to run have plenty of great trail options to choose from in Santa Fe County, from the Santa Fe National Forest to the many County maintained trails and open spaces.
Santa Fe County’s Economic Development division supports outdoor recreation as one of its target industries and is a sponsor of this year’s Big T. Santa Fe County is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts with an average of 300 sunny days a year. From hiking in the picturesque Sangre de Cristo Mountains to exploring the serene trails of the Santa Fe National Forest, this is a place where nature is at your doorstep.
“Promoting a healthy community and outdoor recreation are County priorities in economic development. These priorities are identified as values of our residents that we are happy to support,” said Juan Torres, Santa Fe County Economic Development Director.
This is the Big T’s 40th year. “This is a great community, and we’re really excited about the longevity of this race. We hope to get to 50!” Brown said. More information and registration details are on the Santa Fe Striders website.