Moab Friends-For-Wheelin'

Moab Red Hot 50 K Race 2-13-10

Once again MFFW manned five aid stations for the race. The race started on the Gemini Bridges road off highway 191. The course included a loop up and around the Metal Masher trail, Up the Gold Bar Trail, Across the Golden Spike and out the Poison Spider. Their was also a 30 K run that excluded the Metal Masher loop. The temperature was defiantly not Red Hot.

Start of race at 7am.

Aid station volunteers heading up the shelf road.

Aid stations #1 and #3 Metal Masher loop.

Geoff & Sandy, Susan, Bob & Kathy, Ber.

Aid station # 2 MM Widow Maker bypass.

Devon & Marline, David & Misty, Rick.

Aid station # 4 Top of Gold Bar Rim.

Jeff, Jim, Gene.

Sign post top of Gold Bar.

Gene’s Jeep top of Gold Bar Rim.

Aid station #5 bottom of water fall Poison Spider.

Gary, Larry, Melanie.

Gary and Melissa at aid station # 5.

Club 2009 Christmas Party

On December 13th the Moab Friends-For-Wheelin’ club  held it’s 5th annual Christmas Party. This year’s party was held at the Branding Iron BBQ & Steakhouse.

RED HOT 50K-February 14th

The MFFW Club helped support the Red Hot race held in Moab on Valentine’s Day. This is a cross country run with either a 33K route or a longer 50K route. This has been a fun project to contribute to in the past and is a good partnership and fund raiser for the club.

There were a total of 5 back country stations that the club helped with, numbered appropriately—-1 through 5. The day started off cold and snowy, leaving us somewhat concerned about how the day would go. But, the weather cleared and although it never got warm, the snow stopped.

Here’s a photo of aid station #1 and #3. You can see their nice set-up at the start of the Metal Masher trail.

And a photo of the crew at Aid Station #2, back on the Metal Masher trail itself.

Here’s a photo of the runners in action.

And, Aid Station #4 at the top of Gold Bar Rim Trail……..

Here’s a photo of a runner jumping the Golden Crack on the Golden Spike trail……and they think we’re crazy for Jeeping it?

Lastly is Aid Station #5 where Golden Spike meets up with the Poison Spider trail.

All in all it was a well supported run and a very interesting experience. Our club has been supporting 2-3 of these runs each year and the partnerships seem to work out very well.

Ultimate XC Marathon, November 15, 2008

MFFW members braved chilly temperatures to provide four “aid stations” and seveal “course marshals” for the first annual Moab Ultimate XC Marathon. This foot race featured 10-mile, 20-mile, and 50-K courses, laid out in Pritchett Canyon, Cliffhanger, Moab Rim, and the surrounding area.  The race was completed without incident, and MFFW had a great time! We appreciate the generous donation to the club by Ultimate XC, and are already looking forward to next year’s race!

BFG Outstanding Trail Award, November 8, 2008

The morning of November 8th was special for members of MFFW who have worked so hard over the years to help maintain Pritchett Canyon as one of Moab’s premier 4×4 trails. Earlier in the year, BF Goodrich selected Pritchett Canyon as one of 2008’s “BFG Outstanding Trails”, and on this date the formal award presentation was made. Moab Friends-For-Wheelin’ is honored to be chosen for this award, and we look forward to future trail work with the help of BFG’s generous donation! Check out BFG’s report on their website, at www.bfgoodrichtires.com.

Pritchett with the Outdoor Channel, September 13, 2008

MFFW had a fun day on Pritchett with Bill Baker and the crew from the Outdoor Channel. They were filming the trail ride with us as part of the BFG Outstanding Traill 2008 award that the club recieved for Pritchett Canyon. The program should air in early 2009.

Race Course Marking, October 26, 2008

Several members of MFFW spent the day helping to layout and mark the course for the Moab Canyons Endurance Ride. This event is a 3-day, 25 and 50 mile horse endurance ride, held in the Dubinkey Wells area near Moab.

Red Hot 50K Ultramarathon, February 23, 2008

Event: Red Hot 50K Ultramarathon
Where: Moab
When: February 23rd, 2008

Moab has seen the coldest, snowiest winter in years, but the skies cleared on February 23rd, just in time for the second annual Red Hot 50K ultramarathon. And once again, MFFW provided 4 aid stations for this great event.
This years event was actually two races in one, featuring both a 50K and 30K run. Approximately 300 runners left the Gemini Bridges parking lot just off Hwy 191, and proceeded to race over Metal Masher, Gold Bar Rim, Golden Spike, and Poison Spider Mesa. (The Metal Masher loop was omitted for the short-course runners.) MFFW set up full aid stations at the Metal Masher trailhead, at the WidowMaker bypass, the top of Gold Bar Rim, and at the junction of the Spike and Poison Spider, all complete with tables, lots of water, and food.

The runners were great, and they all seemed to truly appreciate our efforts at the aid stations. Although the top competitors barley stopped long enough to fill a water bottle or two, most used the stations as an opportunity to re-fuel, catch their breath, and take in the scenery for a moment. The overall winner completed the 50K course in 4 hours and three minutes… and they say jeepers are crazy!!!

Moab Alpine to Slickrock 50 Mile, Sept. 27, 2007

MFFW once again provide support for the MAS 50 ultra-marathon. 40 runners started this grueling race, which ran from the Pack Creek Picnic Area, through the La-Sal Mountains, and down to the Slickrock Bike Trail parking lot. MFFW provided aid stations at La-Sal Pass and Geyser pass, as well as an “information station” at the Squaw Springs cutoff.

Earthday Celebration, April 21, 2007

The City of Moab sponsored an Earth Day celebration at various locations around town, and MFFW was there. We set up a booth with educational materials, and even had an off-highway “trail” set up for kids to navigate using radio-controlled jeeps. The idea, of course, was for them to stay on the trail, and avoid the “crypto”. While the jeeps were a bit under-powered and hard to control, everyone still had a good time, and hopefully got our message of “promoting responsible 4-wheel drive recreation”.