Welcome to Running Paradise!

Sitting in the pines at 7,000 feet with abundant sunshine year round and with miles and miles of trails, Flagstaff, Arizona is indeed running paradise. Offering great running but also a great time, you'll enjoy a bustling historic downtown, many locally-owned restaurants, boutique shopping and a quick drive to many of the wonders of the world including the Grand Canyon and Sedona.

Upon your arrival in Flag, your first stop should be an outdoor store or A Runner's High specialty store to pick up a copy of the Flagstaff Trail Map by Emmitt Barks Cartography. You may also want to pick up a copy of Favorite Hikes: Flagstaff & Sedona by Cosmic Ray.

Armed with these great resources, you are ready to hit the trails. Flagstaff offers three types of trails for your enjoyment. First, there is the unbelievable Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) that is a smooth, wide web of trails that connect every part of Flagstaff with the rest of Flagstaff. With the FUTS, you are never far from a trail. The trails are pretty easy to follow though there are some places where you have to cross streets or the trail runs along a sidewalk. NOTE: The FUTS is in solid PURPLE on the Flagstaff Trail Map.

Second, Flagstaff is surrounded by national forests and public land which contain truly awesome trails for running. Most are smooth single track and some are gnarly, rock-hopping fun. Trail markings are quite good and with a little sense of direction (use the Peaks as your reference - they aren't going anywhere) and some careful consideration every time you come to a trail junction, you'll find your way there and back with little trouble. Note: single track forest trails are in solid RED on the Flagstaff Trail Map.

Third, the same forest that has the forest trails also has fantastic forest service roads providing wider, smoother routes. Most are smooth dirt roads with the occasional rocky section or rutty section due to rain. Forest service trails are in dashed GREEN on the Flagstaff Trail Map.

RunFlagastaff's Top 5 Tips to make your experience better:

1) Flagstaff is at 7,000 feet above sea level and that means thin air. While you may not feel it immediately in your run, you will. Trust us. So, start slow and stay slow. After your first run, you can then figure out how your body tolerates the altitude. What you'll find is that unlike at sea level, if you get out of breath up here, you won't be able to catch your breath just by slowing down. Our rule of thumb is to run 30 seconds per mile slower than your sea level pace. This will give you the same aerobic stress as sea level and your legs will thank you for the great trails.

2) Hydrate, hydrate and then hydrate some more. Thin air usually means dry air so make sure to stay hydrated before, during and after your runs. Keep a bottle with you at all times during your stay and sip throughout the day. Sports drinks with electrolytes in addition to water are a must.

3) Start with out and back runs. Your chances of getting lost are significantly lower if you just go out and back until you learn how altitude affects you and you get more familiar with the trail systems and trail markers.

4) Be prepared for rapidly changing weather, especially up in the Peaks. Weather changes quickly around here so if you see dark clouds moving in, head back toward your starting point. Best to add on time running near safety than to get caught in a storm up on the mountains.

5) Smile. Breath deep. Take it all in. Relax and enjoy. You are in a special place.