Showcasing ‘who we are as a community’
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. — This year’s Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon will occur on Saturday, February 19, and event organizers are excited for the Quad to be back to normal operation. The 2022 Mt. Taylor Quad will be the event’s 39th year.
Last year, for the 38th Quad, the Quad Committee had to change their plans a bit due to COVID-19, offering both an in-person race option (including prizes) and a virtual race option (not including prizes). Participation was down, as expected, but the committee made the most of it. This year, the event is bouncing back with already over 170 participants signed up so far. This number is still a bit below the average for the event, but quite a jump up from where the numbers were a year ago. Les Gaines, a member of the Quad Committee, said that COVID protocols for the event are in compliance with the National Forest Service, who were not distributing permits for such events last year but are doing so this year. Gaines also noted the outdoor nature of the event and how participants will be quite staggered throughout the various courses as they compete, assuring additional safety.
Recent snowstorms have provided just the right amount of snow for the event. Gaines says they always hope for more but that the amount received was still significant enough for our area and he expects the Snowshoe course in particular to be “awesome.”
“It’s for real [this year]. And oh yeah, we’re excited,” said Gaines, who joined his crew in beginning to prepare the snow courses this past weekend. “I think we’re real optimistic about having a good turnout. You know, it’s good for our community.”
Gaines expanded on the benefits of the Quad, adding that it brings visitors and growth in a positive way. According to Gaines, the average quad participant visits the area about 2.5 times throughout the rest of the year. They also usually bring about two to three people with them. The comment that Gaines often hears from new visitors is, “Wow, I didn’t even know this was here!” Soon enough, the visitors return in the summer, explore more of the area’s hidden gems — such as the Zuni Mountains, Sandstone Bluffs, El Morro, and more — and then they visit more and even consider moving to the area. “It’s a gateway for many people,” Gaines explained, who also said that this year’s Quad will be receiving visitors from all over the country. Preparations for the 39th Quad will start early in the morning on Friday, February 18, and then check-in for participants will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Start line and Finish line will be at the same place, located at the Cibola County Government Office Building located on 515 W High Street in Grants, N.M. The race starts at the Grants Start/Finish line, with participants biking first. Participants bike to the end of the pavement at Mt. Taylor, then run to the La Mosca checkpoint, then ski and snowshoe up the rest, and the process restarts going back downhill. Further course, route, and map details can be found on http://www.mttay-lorquad.org. The race and awards ceremony will likely conclude around 7 p.m. that day.
Finally, Gaines emphasized the Quad’s need for volunteer support, stating that the event is “always” in need of volunteers. While he was at it, Gaines set the record straight regarding Quad volunteer support: “There’s a misconception that you have to be on the mountain or it’s freezing… we need people at [the] Start/Finish, which is downtown, we need people at Bike/Run, which is the end of the pavement, and then of course we need people on the mountain. We always need people at Run/Ski, that’s the busiest place.”
Gaines also broke down common volunteer expectations by location. At the Start/Finish location, volunteers usually help with removing timing chips, handing out awards, helping with timers, handing out water, helping participants find their belongings, and much more. These volunteers usually help most in the morning and then again later in the evening. At the Bike/Run transition location, volunteers usually help participants get their bike situated, find their running shoes, then find their biking shoes when they come back down, help them get their bike, and place their running shoes in a bag, which is then placed in a pickup truck and hauled back into town to be sorted through with the help of Start/Finish volunteers. Similar assistance is expected with finding skis and snowshoes at the other snowy locations. Gaines concluded, “So, lots for people to help out with.”
Those interested in volunteering may contact the Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce at 505-287-4802 for details on how to sign up.
Finally, Gaines concluded, “The reason [the Quad is important] is because it’s good, wholesome activity, it creates generational fitness… of course, it’s an economic stimulus for our community throughout the year, and it kind of, I mean, in reality, showcases who we are as a community — people love our people.”