GRANTS, N.M. — The City of Grants Lodgers Tax Board completed the Jan. 21 agenda in less than 15 minutes. The five-member board unanimously approved the five invoices that had been submitted and heard an update from Terry Fletcher about the 2021 Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon.
Fletcher, who has volunteered at this event for decades, described the new format for this year’s Quad, which celebrates its 38th year. There are no entry fees. The competition spans a 14-day period, Feb. 1-15, instead of the traditional one-day race and will be held in a virtual format.
“This is an unofficial Quad; we encourage all athletes to come to Grants to participate on Mount Taylor and use the normal course, but we understand if they want to choose their own venue,” said Fletcher.
He acknowledged that the current health order prohibits mass gatherings; the U.S. Forest Service will not issue an event permit; the New Mexico Department of Transportation will not “open the road.” Volunteers will groom the trails and keep the roadway clear during the two-week event.
Participants can choose one of two options. Those utilizing Mount Taylor who complete the route in one day are eligible for $500 firstplace prizes in four categories: female solo, male solo, overall pair, overall team.
The second option requires competitors to complete all four categories: a 26-mile bike ride with at least an 1,800-foot elevation gain, a 10-mile run with a minimum of a 1,200-foot elevation gain, a five-mile cross country ski route with at least a 1,200-foot gain in elevation, and a two-mile snowshoe trail with at least a 600-foot elevation gain. Data must be recorded using a sports track app such as Strava or Garmin. Competitors are required to post their results on Facebook or email the information to Quad officials prior to the deadline, Feb. 14 midnight. There are no cash prizes for this option.
(Visit http://www.mttaylorquad.org/ for more information.)
Organizers are worried that it will be exceedingly difficult to attract competitors for the 2022 race if this year’s competition is cancelled, according to Quad volunteers.
“We’re going to keep it alive one more year,” stated Fletcher emphatically.
Next LTB meeting
Thursday, Feb. 18, council chambers, 600 W. Santa Fe Ave., Grants, 9 a.m.
Visit cityofgrants.net or call 505-287-7927 for more information.