XTERRA Arizona Trail Run Series Champion: Shaun Haley

Imagine running a 20-kilometer trail race in the desert with no water. And taking a tumble in the middle of that race.

Shaun Haley did that in his first XTERRA Trail Run … and loved it.

Now he can't get enough. Haley went undefeated in his age group (men, 40-44) to win a 2011 XTERRA Arizona Trail Run Series regional championship.

He will next test his skills in the XTERRA Trail Run National Championship at the Snowbasin Resort near Ogden, Utah, on Sept. 25.

"I would have to say I'm looking forward to the competition and the beautiful trails," said Haley, 42. "I hope to meet some new masters trail racers that can give me a run for my money and I can chat with at the end. I also hope to teach a few of the youngster how the old men can still kick ass."

Indeed, Haley was not just fast for his age group in the Arizona Series, he was fast, period. The 2010-11 Arizona Series featured three races, and Haley finished in the top five overall at all three races, including a second-place showing at the XTERRA Estrella Mountain Trail Run.

That race at Estrella Mountain in October 2010 was Haley's first experience in an XTERRA Trail  Run, and it was a memorable event. Haley said he was one of the runners in the lead pack, and apparently they were too fast for the race organizers, who were still on their way up the mountain to set up water stations. Making matters more difficult, Haley said he did a "tuck and roll" along the course, but recovered quickly and held on for second place overall.

"I did a tuck and roll when I lost my footing while in the lead just in front of Shaun Martin, who told me at the end that he was impressed with my recovery," Haley said. "I told him I had to agree because I was very surprised once I was up and running to have not lost a step. Great fun!"

He also enjoyed the other two races in the XTERRA Arizona Series, and said the inaugural series lived up to the XTERRA reputation by challenging runners with unique trails.

"Each race was outstanding and put together so that the runners didn't have to worry about getting lost -- or getting thirsty," he said. "The courses were not for the light-hearted, with the narrow paths, rough terrain and intense elevation changes. Even as a top athlete, I had a hard time with speed, and if I didn't watch my step it meant I was going home with some cuts and bruises."

Haley resides in Tucson with his wife and two children, and he is a former winner of the Tucson Half Marathon. He often had to drive more than two hours to get to the XTERRA Arizona races, but said it helped that he received sponsorship from Sharon Bart at The Running Shop in Tucson.

The XTERRA Arizona Series concluded in February, so Haley has had ample time to both rest and train for the XTERRA Trail Run National Championship in September.

"I have continued to train for local 5K and 10K races, and where I live in Tucson there are many technical trails for me to train on," he said. "These trails provide me with the skills I need to give a great performance in Utah. Meanwhile, I have been taking some time off to rest and adjust to the heat. It has been getting up to 112 lately."

Runners of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in the XTERRA Trail Run National Championship at Utah. There will be three separate courses - 21 kilometers, 10 kilometers and 5 kilometers (although only the 21K course will determine the national champions).

To register for the race or learn more about it, please visit http://www.xterraplanet.com/xduro/nationals.html.

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