Running in Place

Why protecting public lands is crucial to one elite runner's small business.

BY ROB KRAR

My time here was meant to be temporary. But like so many, the beauty of northern Arizona and the sense of community stole my heart, and I’ve now called Flagstaff home for the past 15 years. The landscape provides a visual feast — from the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world, to vast swaths of beautiful desolation where a mile-long train takes only a sliver of the distant horizon. The stark contrasts from one area to the next are stunning. Other senses become fully immersed, too. One of the greatest gifts this area provides me is the ability to stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon and ponder its depths whenever I want or need it most. 

Deep below its rim I’ve experienced a stillness and silence so quiet it almost screams. On the other hand, midsummer monsoon storms crack with thunder and lightning so intense it sends shivers down my spine. The Grand Canyon region constantly reminds us of our place in our world, creates a sense of time and space, and provides us with an escape from an increasingly chaotic world and the concrete jungle of our modern age. It is in these wild places I found the courage to share my struggles with others, finding a common bond when it is most needed for so many. My time in the outdoors has taught me the incredible healing and nourishing power natural landscapes can provide. 

JAMES Q MARTIN

I’m fortunate to spend so much time in these landscapes as a professional athlete and small-business owner. I’ve been a runner most of my life, and although running wasn’t what drew me to Flagstaff, I couldn’t have found a better location for it. Somewhat on a whim, I ran my first ultra-distance race (any distance longer than 26.2 miles) in 2013. While “only” 50 kilometers, I fell in love with the intimate connection of mind and body and the loneliness of spending so many hours deep in thought. I dove headfirst into the burgeoning sport and quickly found myself competing with the best in the world over distances ranging from 50 kilometers to 100 miles. Success in competing allowed me to leave my professional job and pursue running and other dreams full-time. The ultra-running community welcomed me with open arms — it allowed me to feel comfortable in my own skin and flourish. A strong desire to give back to that community was the genesis of the small business I operate with my wife, Christina, and the birth of the running camps we host several times a year in Flagstaff and surrounding areas. 

Over the past five years we have welcomed more than 100 beginner and intermediate trail and ultrarunners from around the world. Our most recent camp included folks from six countries and 12 states. While our camps are either four or six nights, many attendees extend their stay several days before or after camp to explore beyond Flagstaff, most commonly taking advantage of our proximity to the Grand Canyon to explore its wonders.

JAMES Q MARTIN

Our guests travel to our camps for the opportunity to learn from my experience, improve their running, and increase their skills and knowledge on the trails. While they leave with these boxes checked, more often than not campers also leave with a full heart and sense of awe and wonderment for the trails and landscapes their feet transported them over during their stay. 

The protection of these lands is pivotal in conserving the rich and storied cultural landscape and in allowing space for the deep connection to the Earth I believe is so valuable. These protections allow my business, and so many others, to thrive. Tourism, guiding, and exploring are important employers and contribute significant revenue to the area as a launching point for adventures in the Grand Canyon region.

It would be foolish to rest on our laurels and not fight to further protect the lands that are so precious to us. With development pressures, increased visitors, mining claims, and the impact of a changing climate, the dangers have never been more real and pertinent. I will continue to support initiatives for greater protection and appreciate the work that organizations like the Grand Canyon Trust do every day to drive conservation toward the future. The growth of nonprofit organizations and businesses that support education and informed access to our wondrous lands is a win-win.

Rob Krar is a professional ultrarunner, coach, and owner of The Rob Krar Ultra Camp. Widely regarded as one of the most successful ultrarunners of the past decade, Rob feels most fulfilled sharing the power of the outdoors and its benefits to mind, body, and spirit.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The views expressed by Advocate contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Grand Canyon Trust.