Thank You for Making the 2023 GORE-TEX Kahtoola Uphill a Huge Success!
The 16th annual GORE-TEX Kahtoola Uphill challenged 360 racers to climb and descend the wintery slopes of Arizona Snowbowl on Saturday, February 11. This celebration of human-powered movement raised funds for Friends of Camp Colton, making it possible for more kids to connect with nature and learn about their environment.
Thanks to our incredible sponsors and your generosity, everyone had a fantastic time. Better still, we raised more than $75,000 — more than ever before — to make experiences in nature possible for kids at Camp Colton.
First-time racer and Camp Colton supporter Maggie Vallejos Gibson shares, “What an amazing time! Challenging, invigorating, rewarding. Grateful to belong to a community that values and promotes outdoor education and wellness. Excited for next year!”
The Uphill embraced the outdoors and fun, just like the amazing organization that it supports. Both Camp Colton and the Uphill are filled with friendly chatter, adventure, and community.
Betsy Whited, Co-Owner of Paragon Athletics and long-time racers says, “We leave the GORE-TEX Kahtoola Uphill race every year so inspired by the people in our community. It really is the most amazing experience to come together with all the outdoor-loving, adventurous, and determined people of Flagstaff to celebrate what we love to do and how we choose to live on the earth. The support and love shown for Camp Colton during the race demonstrates how important our community views the opportunity of sharing these passions with our youth. Whether the 6th graders have outdoor experiences or natural science in in their lives already or they are experiencing it for the first time, it is powerful.”
One of our amazing volunteers and City of Flagstaff Vice-Mayor Austin Aslan shares, “Reminder, world, as Arizona greedily grabs all the sports headlines. This desert state has mountains. And mountain culture. I love Flagstaff so much on days like this, when it takes 20 minutes to go from the house to the slopes, to join my wife Clare for an evening of volunteering for a Camp Colton fundraiser that happens to be put on by an internationally-renowned local winter traction company.”
Finally, 4th grader Reese, and future Camper, said, “It was exhausting but I pushed through and it felt good to finish!”
We appreciate our community and all of the many racers, supporters, volunteers, and sponsors who support Camp Colton and make this race possible. Special thanks to the Friends of Camp Colton Board Members and the Uphill Committee. 
Why Camp Colton: https://friendsofcampcolton.org/blog/5-key-benefits-of-outdoor-education/
Congratulations to the top racers and fundraisers!
Champions of the Mountain – Fastest time to the top of the mountain.
Winner – Female: Colleen Lingley – 38:21
Winner – Male: Mike Popejoy – 29:22
Lumberyard Brewing Co. Agassiz Climb – Traction
Female #1 – Traction: Collen Lingley 52:42
Female #2 – Traction: Alexandra Stowell 52:52
Female #3 – Traction: Kelly McCue 53:07
Male #1 – Traction: Mike Popejoy 39:13
Male #2 – Traction: Austin Horn 39:34
Male #3 – Traction: Benjamin Stowell 43:30
Top Masters Female – Traction: Valerie Cross 55:51
Top Masters Male – Traction: Jeff Browning 46:35
Lumberyard Brewing Co. Agassiz Climb – Skinning
Female #1 – Skinning: Tasha Harder 51:06
Female #2 – Skinning: Kelsey Andrist 51:16
Female #3 – Skinning: Chloe Painter 1:04:44
Male #1 – Skinning: Rob Krar 39:44
Male #2 – Skinning: Scott Krankkala 41:43
Male #3 – Skinning: Kameron Harder 42:50
Top Masters Female – Skinning: Kristi Borling 1:11:39
Top Masters Male- Skinning: Kyle Colavito 46:51
Lumberyard Brewing Co. Agassiz Climb – 1st Place Team
Mostly pizza, some french fries (Scott Krankala, Evan Reimondo, Nicolaus Hawbaker, John Dailey) 03:02:57.19
Midway Climb
Top Female – Skinning: Sandra Friederichs 57:18
Top Male – Skinning: Dan Martin 44:20
Top Female – Traction: Rachel Buzzard 39:50
Top Male – Traction: Andy White 46:45
Midway Climb – 1st Place Team
Skinner Skinner Chicken Dinner (Dan Martin, Chad De Alva, Sandra Friederichs, Nathan Dahl) 03:33:44.75
Fun Climb
Top Female 12 and Under: Kate Buzzard 18:11
Top Male 12 and Under: Duke Personne 19:22
Top Female 18 and Under: Samantha Gaither 44:22
Top Male 18 and Under: Nate Spangler 21:06
Top Individual Fundraisers
#1: Samantha Field
#2: Rob Krar
Thank you to our sponsors!
Kahtoola, GORE-TEX, W. L. Gore & Associates, Lumberyard Brewing Company, and Arizona Snowbowl make this event possible each year along with our Dedicated Sponsors. This year, we also had a record number of generous Champ for Camp sponsors! Collectively, our Champ for Camps provided $27,000 in support of Camp experiences for kids.
Learn more about our sponsors. https://runsignup.com/Race/Sponsors/AZ/Flagstaff/GORETEXKahtoolaUphill
Our generous Golden Ticket sponsors all donate an item, service, or experience valued at $500 or more. This year we had 20 prizes and raised $20,000 in support of outdoor environmental education at Camp Colton! We appreciate our sponsors and all the individuals who purchased a Golden Ticket (or, more than one)!
Finally, thank you to our Aspen Sports Race Raffle sponsors:
- Aspen Sports
- Peace Surplus
- Peak Scents
- Kickstand Kafe
- Paragon Athletics
- Rogue Panda Designs
- Wet Dream River Supply
- The Shane Knight Gallery
- Osprey
- GORE-TEX
- HydraPak
- Juice Pub & Eatery
- Lululemon
- Winter Sun Trading Co.
- Run Flagstaff
- Diablo Burger
- Fratelli Pizza
- Macy’s European Coffeehouse
- Proper Meats + Provisions
- Mother Road Brewing Co.
- West of the Moon Gallery
- Pizzicletta
- Flagstaff Climbing
- Museum of Northern Arizona
- Coaching with Judy
- SkintelligenceAZ
- Resilience Manual Therapy
Check out our list of Golden Ticket and Aspen Sports Race Raffle winners!
