In it for the long run, Quebradas scenic byway

As dawn broke on Saturday morning, a spirited group of 33 runners assembled on a mesa along the Quebradas Byway. They prepared to navigate 33 miles of rocky terrain, with stretches of sandy arroyos and ridgelines.

As they set off, vistas unfolded before them, revealing vast expanses of the desert basin, the City of Socorro and the iconic M Mountain.

Participants came from as far as Kansas and Colorado, with majority from New Mexico including a dozen from Socorro.

Race director Luis Contreras and founder of the Socorro Trail Series introduced Mitchell McLaughlin to the Jornada de las Quebradas in 2021.

“That year, we ran a 27-mile dirt road from the beginning to the end of the Quebradas backcountry byway,” McLaughlin said, “The following year, we decided to create a more structured course that stayed on public lands. I began assisting him with tasks like route planning and setting up aid stations.”

Since then, the event has grown, and McLaughlin said they’ve learned a lot about logistics, such as food and water needs and course marking to prevent participants from getting lost. Each year there’s something new they wish they had done differently, but the event has become well-established.

Although he’s been involved in the race for the last four years, this was his first time participating.

“Of course, I’d run every inch of that course in the past, but never all at once. I think getting to experience the final 0.8 miles of the course, a hard uphill grind, was the most fun. We’d been putting other people through that for years, so it was probably a good thing I got to experience it,” McLaughlin said.

He said the Socorro Trail running series has grown a lot since they started.

“None of the events were marked and it was just a group of friends out running with a few cars parked along the way for aid.” McLaughlin said “Now, people are starting to come in from all around the state, and even from out of state,”

He credited Contreras with his hard work to improve the community by offering more outdoor recreation in Socorro.

“Luis has made some real sacrifices to his life to put on these events and try to make Socorro an exciting place to be,” Mitchel said, “I’d like the community to know what a legitimate gem the physical geography of Socorro area is. There are some really incredible public lands nearby. In my opinion, leveraging the hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and rock climbing is the best way to generate enthusiasm for our community, give Socorro a sense of place, and maybe boost the local economy a bit.”

Abigail Otoski of White Rock, also ran the Jornada for the first time on Saturday. For her the highlight of the run was belly dancers who were staffing the third aid station.

“This aid station was after a long downhill descent and right before a sandy uphill section. The energy was high after leaving this aid station as it was so fun to have belly dancers cheering us on. The next mile or two of uphill sand was mentally easier after this aid station,” Otoski said.

Last fall, she ran the Socorro Souls of Sorrow Ultramarathon, which was her longest run to date.

“Trail running is connecting both to other people and myself. It gets me away from the business of life and focuses me on the trail and friends. I love the peace and grounding that come from the trails.” Otoski said.

She said she plans on continuing to participate in the Socorro Trail Running Series

“The runs are well supported, everyone is friendly and the landscape is beautiful.” Otoski said, “It has been a great experience getting to experience everything from rolling hills, deep canyons and many geologic formations. I have gotten to run past ruins, old mines and even friendly herds of cows.”

She also enjoys the small community feel and having an opportunity to run through New Mexico’s geological and cultural sites.

All participants had access to free race photos by Robert Wulff, a meal and beverage from Cubish Food Truck, and the first-place male and female runners received a $30 REI gift card and a hand-crafted stonework trophy.

Volunteers at the three aid stations included many individuals, Socorro Search and Rescue team members, and HAM radio operators who ensured the safety of participants along the course.

A portion of the collected race fees was donated to the Socorro High School cross-country team and used for trail maintenance.

The next race in the series is the Magdalena Madness on April 15.