Tonalea Runner Wins Four Corners Marathon, Strong Regional Showing

Randolph Curley of Tonalea claimed first place in Thursday's Four Corners Quad Keyah Marathon at Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, covering the marathon distance in 4 hours, 12 minutes, 26 seconds. Curley finished 15 minutes, 29 seconds ahead of second place finisher Jeff Rojas of Fayetteville, North Carolina, who crossed the line in 4 hours, 27 minutes, 55 seconds. Rudy Zapata completed the podium in third with a time of 4 hours, 47 minutes, 9 seconds, 34 minutes, 43 seconds behind Curley.

The race was one day of the Four Corners Quad Keyah Marathon Series, which spans four days across four states. The series attracted regional participation and included athletes from outside the immediate area, underscoring the event's reach beyond local communities. Local runners' placings and performances across the series contribute to a stronger competitive profile for athletes in and around San Juan County.

For San Juan County residents the result matters on several levels. Athletic success by a hometown runner provides a rallying point for community pride and local youth programs. Events that connect communities across state lines also bring visitors who use lodging, restaurants, and services, creating short term boosts to local small businesses during race weekends. Over time, consistent regional events can support a modest tourism pipeline for rural communities by showcasing trails, roads, and the endurance culture of the area.

From a performance perspective the finishing gaps illustrate both competitive depth and course conditions. A 15 minute plus margin between first and second signals a decisive win, while the nearly 35 minute difference to third highlights the spread among finishers over a full marathon distance. These margins matter for coaching, athlete development, and for organizers planning future races and regional competition calendars.

As the Four Corners Quad Keyah Marathon Series continues to rotate through multiple states, local organizers and community leaders will weigh the benefits of attracting athletes and spectators against the costs of hosting. For now Tonalea and nearby communities can note a clear victory on the regional stage, and athletes across the area can point to a benchmark performance as they prepare for the next race.