Contreras hits the ground running with local trail races

The Socorro Trail Running Series has officially become a limited liability company, allowing Luis Contreras-Vidal to hit the ground running and apply for grants and seek sponsors to grow the series.

In 2019, as the president of the New Mexico Tech running club, Contreras-Vidal organized his inaugural unofficial race, the Magdalena Massacre. This demanding run begins at Water Canyon and leads participants along rugged and uneven terrain, ascending just below North Baldy Peak at an impressive elevation of 9,700 feet.

“The first year we only had nine people show up and only one finisher,” Contreras said with a laugh.

The race had no fees, minimal markings and required runners to be self-supported, meaning they were responsible for their needs during the race.

“I gave all my races scary names because if you sign up for a race that is called Souls of Sorrow or Massacre, you should have low expectations and know that that you won’t have a good time,” Contreras Vidal said.

Over the years, what started as a tight-knit group of running enthusiasts from the New Mexico Tech running club enjoying Socorro County’s trails has grown into a series of five races all over Socorro County ranging from six to 36 plus miles.

Despite the scary names and rugged courses, participation has grown and even attracted runners out of state. Since the Magdalena Massacre, he has continued adding races, such as the Socorro Souls of Sorrow, La Jornada de las Quebradas, Magdalena Madness and Blue Canyon Run. Over the last years he has focused on improving the courses and creating partnerships with local groups such as the City of Socorro, New Mexico Tech, Riders and Striders, BLM, Socorro Trails and HAM radio.

“Having the LLC will allow me to take things seriously and get more established in New Mexico,” Contreras Vidal said.

His big dream with the LLC is hosting a 100k (62 miles) ultramarathon, the only one in New Mexico, that would be a Western States Endurance Run qualifier.

The Western States Endurance Run is recognized worldwide as one of the most difficult endurance races. It is a 100.2-mile (161 km) ultramarathon in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. Dedicated runners must qualify for a lottery to enter the race.

Contreras-Vidal said hosting a qualifying race in Socorro, could help draw people to Socorro. Many examples, including the famous Leadville 100, show the positive impact a race like that can have on a small local economy.

For him the race series is more than making his running events official, he has the mission to diversify the local economy, engage youth and increase local participation in outdoor recreation.

“Socorro is an endurance sports paradise; you can train year round and make it a place to attract and diversify the economy and not just depend on Tech and farming,” Contreras Vidal said “I think with any project you do, if you bring resources or money into your business, that money should be pouring out in the community somehow.”

He recognizes running is an expensive sport and wants to make it more accessible to everyone. His plan is to support local outdoor activities and get grants that would allow him to waive the entrance fee for locals and youth.

As he chips away at the development of the trail running series he will continue working two jobs and on his Ph.D, while also training for 50 miler in December and another attempt at a 100 miles in January.

He said everyone is welcome to join group runs every Thursday at 5:30 at the Plaza for those interested in running. For those brave enough, registration for the Magdalena Massacre in October is currently open.

For more information, please visit: socorrotrailrunningseries.com