The La Luz Trail Run is a 9 mile trail run that starts near the intersection of Tramway Road and Forest Service road 333, the road to the Juan Tabo Picnic Grounds, in the far northeast heights of Albuquerque, NM. The race consists of 1.8 miles of paved road and 7.2 miles of dirt single track trail with a 12% grade. The race finishes at the Sandia Crest (10,678 feet) near the gift shop located by the radio and TV towers on the crest. There is a strict 400 runner limit imposed on the race by the U.S. Forest Service. In fall issue of 2001 Trail Runner Magazine, La Luz was selected as one of the "12 Most Grueling Trail Races in North America".

Because of the ever increasing popularity of the La Luz Trail Run and my continuing efforts to make entry into the La Luz Trail Run as equitable as possible for anyone that wants to enter the race, the registration process for the 2010 version of the La Luz Trail Run will be the same Lottery System that was instituted for the 2006 and subsequent La Luz Trail Runs. This will be my 12th year as the Race Director for the La Luz Trail Run. Hopefully all of the snow that we have been getting this winter will help to relieve the drought conditions that have caused the closing of the National Forest during the past couple of summers.

The La Luz Trail Run was started in 1965 (before the Sandia Mountains were designated as a Federal Wilderness Area). In the late 1970s, when the area was designated as a Wilderness Area, there was language in the Federal Legislation allowing the La Luz Trail Run to continue, under a grandfather clause (however a cap of 400 runners was placed on the race by the Legislation).

For 2010, entries will be filled using a Lottery system (This was approved by the Board of Directors of the Albuquerque Road Runners Club). Here is the process that will be followed in 2010 and all following La Luz Trail Run races:

1. Anyone that wants an opportunity to compete in the 2010 La Luz Trail Run, will need to send a self addressed stamped envelope to Rodger Sack, 6900 Gisele Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, between the dates of 1/1/10 and 5/1/10. Send this self addressed stamped envelope inside of an envelope addressed to me. Envelopes received after 5/1/10 will be discarded.

2. The entries forms will be placed in a box, numbered in order that they are received, and recorded on an Excel database and during the first week of May 2010 (exact time and date to be determined), a random number generator will be used to random sort the numbered envelopes that have been received through 5/1/10. The first 400 envelopes selected by the random number generator will be sent entry forms in the same envelope that was received. After the first 400 are sent out, the remaining envelopes in randomly selected order will constitute the waiting list for the race.

3. These first 400 persons will have exactly two weeks to return the completed entry form and entry fee (raised to $50.00 this year - new fee was voted in by the Albuquerque Road Runners Board of Directors) to the same address as listed above. New for the 2010 race will be a technical running shirt, instead of the cotton shirt in the prior races. Shirts will continue to be handed out at the finish line.

4. If your properly completed entry form and entry fee is received within the two-week period, you will officially be registered in La Luz and will receive either a confirmation card or an e-mail to confirm your entry. If your entry form is returned later than the two-week deadline, the entry form and entry fee will be returned and that person will no longer be eligible for the 2010 race, unless you have contacted me and made alternate arrangements.

5. If the field of 400 is not filled after this initial mailing, additional envelopes will be sent out - based on the randomly sorted order of the numbered envelopes on the waiting list. This process will continue every two weeks, until the entire field is filled.

6. If there are any cancellations, additional envelopes will be sent out from the waiting list. The policy of no refunds (for any reason) will be continued.

7. The waiting list will be the numbered envelopes that are left over after the field is filled and the only way to get on the waiting list is to have sent me a self addressed stamped envelope during the initial entry period - 1/1/10 through 5/1/10.

8. The Overall Male & Female and Overall Master's Male & Female winners from the 2009 race will receive an automatic entry into the 2010 race.

I believe the above process is the fairest/most equitable way to fill the 400 slots. Good luck in your efforts to register for the 2010 La Luz Trail Run.

Race Director: Rodger Sack (505) 270-1613

The 44th annual La Luz Trail Run was held on Sunday, August 2, 2009.
Congratulations to all the finishers!!

Read the comments on this years race by the race director, Rodger Sack!

Results of the 2007 La Luz Trail Run
Age Group
Over All

Were La Luz Trail runners faster in the 1980s??
Read this note from the race director - Rodger Sack!
La Luz Trail Run - Were Runners Faster in the 1980s?

The La Luz Trail Run is organized each year by the Albuquerque Road Runners running club in Albuquerque, NM.