Runners start the half marathon Saturday in the 2014 Jemez Mountain Trail Runs. Photo by John Sarracino

PEEC News:

When the organizers of the JMTR (Jemez Mountain Trail Run) approached the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) last spring about volunteering to manage the Pipeline Road aid station, PEEC staff and volunteers jumped at the chance to help out such a worthwhile cause.

The JMTR is a non-profit organization, with race proceeds donated each year to other local organizations. JMTR had offered to donate up to $1,000 to PEEC, also a non-profit organization, as a thank you for managing the aid station.

Just last month, PEEC was surprised and grateful to receive a $3,000 donation from JMTR. Such donations are critical to the ongoing success of operating the PEEC nature center, and continuing to offer the classes, programs and hikes that many members of the community enjoy.

The annual JMTR took place on May 24 this year, with three options for runners: a half marathon, a 50-kilometer route, or a 50-mile route. Periodic aid stations provided services for runners, such as filling up their water bottles, giving them food, cheering them on, and smiling and generally having fun.

The Pipeline Aid station, where PEEC provided assistance, is at a crucial junction, because runners must decide whether to continue on with the 50-mile race, or change to the 50-kilometer route. In addition, the station is fairly remote, but it still provides nearly full service as far as drinks, food and first-aid. Supplies are driven up Pipeline via the rough road, and volunteers come in that way or hike in from the Pajarito Mountain ski area.

“We were pleased that PEEC was given the opportunity to participate in such a fun and worthwhile event,” PEEC Volunteer Coordinator Linda Boncella said. “JMTR has expressed an interest in our continuing to run the aid station in the future. It was great fun and all volunteers, myself included, seemed to have a really good time. We would love to help out again!”