Quad goes global
More snow, good weather expected for Saturday’s quadrathlon

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — As of Monday, 382 athletes had registered to compete in this year’s 26th annual Winter Quadrathlon.

Mike Cerinway, race director, previously said Quad officials expected about 400 racers, and it appears those expectations will be met.

A winter storm dropped between 4 to 7 inches of snow on the Continental Divide, Matt Reidy, district ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, which oversees Mount Taylor, said.

Reidy said the snow pack on the mountain as late as last week was less than 2 feet, with the exception of some north facing slopes.

He said forecasts had indicated that possibly up to a foot of snow could be dropped on Mount Taylor Tuesday, and with another storm expected to hit Thursday and Friday, adding a couple more inches of snow. He said he expected perfect weather for the event.

Of the racers who have registered, Karen Fletcher of the Quadrathlon committee said, one had registered from the Czech Republic.

“With the Internet, it is amazing who views our Web site,” she said.

The majority of racers come from New Mexico, followed in number by Colorado, Arizona, California and then bunched together are Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Texas, she said.

“Most of the participants every year come from the western United States,” she said.

She said the community turns out to support the Quad every year and usually has as many volunteers as competitors.

“Even some of the spouses and people who come with the racers volunteer,” she said.

Terri Griego, manager of the Best Western Inn and Suites in Grants, said her 126-room motel will probably have only a few smoking rooms left this weekend, as she is nearly booked already.

The race is a 42-mile round trip from the Cibola County complex at 515 W. High Street, in Grants, to the summit of the mountain, 11,300 feet above sea level.

There are four segments to the race: 13- mile bicycle hill climb; 5-mile run; 2-mile cross country ski; and 1-mile snowshoe.

Racers turn around at the summit and return to the base and finish line taking the course in reverse order.

The race is expected to begin about 9 a.m., with staggered starts with teams and pairs followed by solo racers.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 285-4560 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.