Hiking Boots Step Aside for Running Shoes at Annual Benefit

The Grand Canyon has long been a magnet for hikers, backpackers, mule riders, and river runners. Since 2008 you can add marathon runners to the list. The Grand Canyon Marathon & Half Marathon began its annual fundraising event to support the Grand Canyon Community Recreation Center and to provide scholarships for local students. The high-altitude race has grown steadily, with nearly 300 joining the fun last year, and has attracted runners from across the country.  The course winds through the towering pine forest of both Grand Canyon National Park and the adjacent Kaibab National Forest. As in years past, the November 12, 2011, event will feature both a full and half marathon, and is open to participants with all levels of experience.  For full details, or to register, visit the event web site http://www.grandcanyonmarathon.com/index.html

A Brush with Beauty

Thirty of the most celebrated Grand Canyon fine art painters arrived this week to rain, rumble, and rainbows for the 3^rd annual Celebration of Arts hosted by the Grand Canyon Association.  This popular event features a quick draw competition, art auction, rim side demonstrations, and an exhibit of the artists’ collective work that will run through November 27^th in the historic Kolb Studio. “Inspiration” has long been identified by the National Park Service as one in a handful of parkwide interpretive themes—thus elbowing in on the hard sciences and cultural history for making Grand Canyon both unique and worthy of protection. I can think of no greater way to showcase the park’s inspirational qualities than to admire the strokes and dabs of the creative souls that have captured the canyon on canvas for this event. Learn more by following this link http://www.grandcanyon.org/celebration.asp