Northern Arizona University - High Altitude

Without the NAU track, the trails all over Flagstaff, and the help of the people at the Center for High Altitude Training, nothing would be possible.
Abdi Abdirahman - 2004 U.S. Olympian / 10k National Champion

Flagstaff Running Project

As a designated U.S. Olympic Training Site for distance running, along with the cooperation of USA Track & Field, the Center provides select emerging elite and elite post-collegiate runners with funding support, access to premier training facilities, a wide array of support services, and the opportunity to work directly with the Center's Head Distance Coach, Dr. Jack Daniels.

Eligibility for support through the Flagstaff Running Project is based on a combination of objective and subjective criteria. At a minimum, distance runners must:

1) have U.S. citizenship and compete for the U.S.;

2) be 21 years of age or older AND no longer have collegiate running eligibility;

3) meet the Center's established minimum performance standards (within the last 12 months) - these are as follows:

Event	Men's Standards	Women's Standards
800m	1:48.0	2:06.0
1500m	3:46.0	4:20.0
3000m	8:04.0	9:17.0
3000m Steeple	8:43.0	10:10.0
5k	14:03.0	16:06.0
10k	29:12.0	33:26.0
Half-Marathon	1:05.05	1:14.52
Marathon	2:18.00	2:38.50

Please note that all Flagstaff Running Project funds have been allocated to runners for the period leading up to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

To discuss special eligibility requirements for Native American runners, please contact sean.anthony@nau.edu

Role of the Funded Athlete:

Athletes funded through the Center for High Altitude Training agree to:

1) adhere to the Center's Athlete Code of Conduct;

2) provide a minimum of two hours of community service to the Center during the funded period as determined / approved by the Center;

3) submit a Funded Athlete Quarterly Summary to the Center by the specified due date; and

4) use the funds for only those items as approved by the Center.

Failure to comply with the above expectations may jeopardize current and future funding opportunities. The Center for High Altitude Training reserves the right to terminate funding offers at any time.

Financial Support:

The Center for High Altitude Training relies on grants, sponsorships and charitable contributions to help subsidize the training costs of U.S. runners participating in the Flagstaff Running Project. We are pleased to acknowledge the following three major supporters of the Project, whose generous donations are positively impacting runners currently training at the Center:

		City of Flagstaff For over a decade, the City of Flagstaff has been a collaborator in the development and operation of the Center for High Altitude Training. The City of Flagstaff provides financial support in recognition of the center's community service and the positive impact of the visiting international clientele on the local economy. This year, the city targeted a portion of its funding to help support the expenses of eligible U.S. runners training in Flagstaff.

		Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Coconino County Board of Supervisors The Flagstaff Running Project has a special focus on serving Native American runners. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is dedicated to this effort, demonstrated by their match of a generous gift received by Flagstaff's own Coconino County Board of Supervisors. These resources will be used to support the expenses of eligible Native American U.S. runners training in Flagstaff, and select clinics benefitting Native American youth.

		Ryan Shay Memorial Fund In honor of Ryan Shay, an integral member of the Flagstaff running community, the Center for High Altitude Training has designated its current "Running Fund" through the Northern Arizona University Foundation to be a "Ryan Shay Memorial Fund," with the targeted purpose of serving as a source for athlete stipends. These stipends are financial allocations to eligible U.S. middle distance and distance runners that help pay for their training-related expenses while training in Flagstaff. Special thanks to EAS / Abbott Laboratories for their generous donation to the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund.

Individuals or organizations interested in making a charitable contribution in support of the Flagstaff Running Project, or those with general questions on the information outlined above, may contact the Center's Director at natalie.harlan@nau.edu.