Participation surged at this year’s Chokecherry Scramble, which saw about 40 more riders as the off-road motorcycle race returned to Farmington for its second year.
The growth reflects a broader push by organizer Avery Hightower and the newly formed Gladerunners Motorcycle Club to bring structure, advocacy and visibility to the region’s large but previously unorganized off-road community.
As part of the New Mexico Race Collective’s eight-event series, the Scramble highlights both the demand for sanctioned riding opportunities and the club’s efforts to secure designated trails, expand youth programs and build a sustainable future for the sport in the Four Corners.
In its second year, the Chokecherry Scramble increased by about 40 riders across various classes and age categories. Organizer Avery Hightower called it an “amazing event” with lessons learned for future races.
“We are a passionate community of cross-country and off-road motorcycle enthusiasts based in the Four Corners region of New Mexico. Our mission is to unite riders, advocate for the needs of our community, and enhance both recreational and competitive off-road opportunities in the Farmington area,” according to gladerunnersmc.com.
Hightower, who relocated to Farmington from Clovis two years ago, has been riding dirt bikes since age four. He grew up in Joshua Tree, California, with a father who was a dirt bike enthusiast. Hightower’s sons, ages 12 and 8-year-old twins, are also avid riders.
The Chokecherry Scramble, the second in a series of eight race events, ranges across venues from Alamogordo in mid-February to Carlsbad in November under the auspices of the New Mexico Race Collective.
Hightower raced in the entire series last year, winning a championship while riding a Husqvarna 350.
“So when I got up here, I was like, I want to get involved in a club, right,” Hightower related in a phone call on Wednesday. “And there's just nothing, you know.”
He said he was surprised that, despite the number of riders and quality trails, no organization existed for that user group.
When it comes to motorcycles, Hightower said very few trails are “designated, legitimate and protected.”
In 2024, Hightower started Gladerunners MC (Motorcycle Club) as an LLC, chartered with the American Motorcyclist Association. Steadily gaining momentum and support in recent months, the club now has a core group of about 18 members and 24 members overall.
Monthly meetings are held at the Fun Center in Farmington, which opens its doors after hours. Hightower said the group is becoming more organized and formal, with improved note-taking and planning.
Hightower’s work in renewable energy brought him to the area, which he said he “loves.”
The course, located off Glade Road, is accessed by traveling north on Piñon Hills Road to Glade Road, then continuing about 3 miles northeast.
The 30-mile course, which included about 7 miles of deep, sandy washes, was set up by Hightower. Working with the Bureau of Land Management, he acquired a special recreation permit.
In February, the group’s work included removing some T-posts, placing boulders and putting up road-crossing signs along the trail.
On Saturday, the kids races were held, with the youngest riders on minibikes.
“That was pretty cool … and that's one of the things we're trying to do, is improve our kids program,” Hightower said.
Hightower said motorcycle racing requires the rider to be fully present.
“It's like, you can't really be anywhere else. There’s no distractions,” he said. “There’s just something freeing about it, especially in today's fast-paced, technology-driven, you know, constant influx of information.”
Race results
Abbreviations: Kawasaki (KAW), Betamotor (BET), Yamaha (YAM), Husquevarna (HUS), Honda (HON), GG (Grüter + Gut Motorradtechnik)
Pro / Expert (AA)
Max Preslar (KAW); 2. Jose Moya (KTM); 3. Elijah Lamb (YAM); 4. Klayton Preece (BET); 5. Isaiah Lamb (YAM);
Open A
Billy Lewis (YAM); 2. Brandon Trennepohl (KTM); 3. Joel Stribling (HUS); 4. Raymond Fain (HON); 5. Ryan Ward (YAM);
30-and-over Veteran A
Tyler Kadlec (YAM); 2. Ian Houseman (YAM); 3. Jose Guillen (KTM);
40-and-over Senior A
Jacob Wilkes (HUS); 2. Jimmy Graham (HUS);
50-and-over Super Senior A
Chris Stevenson (BET); 2. Jared Renner (HUS); 3. William Powell (GG); 4. Starley Stevens Jr (KTM); 5. Gregory Sceiford (KTM);
Pro-Amateur
Antonio Maestas (BET); 2. Cory Emery (HUS); 3. Peter Garcia (KTM); 4. Travys Armitage (YAM);
Open B
Questin Maurer (YAM); 2. Peyton Hickey (KAW); 3. Chandler White (KTM); 4. Donald Martinez (KTM); 5. Killian Webb (YAM);
30-and-over Veteran B
Denver Robbins (HUS); 2. Jimmie Levine (KTM); 3. Daniel Hermanns (KTM); 4. Alex Voges (HUS); 5. Jack Standing (KTM);
40-and-over Senior B
Kris Dunlap (YAM); 2. Gary Chavarria (KTM); 3. Chris Ryan (YAM); 4. Aaron Renner (HUS); 5. Manny Polaco (KTM);
50-and-over Super Senior B
Jude Vigil (YAM); 2. Joe Washburn (KTM); 3. John Cash (HUS); 4. Joseph Chacon (KTM); 5. Willie Lopez (YAM);
60-and-over Masters B
Louis Pouliot (YAM);
Women’s B
Jessie Jones (YAM); 2. Lynsey Danielsen (KTM);
Open C
Kyle Usnick (GG); 2. Ryan Gideon (YAM); 3. Andrew Standley (HUS); 4. Daxton Allison (HON); 5. Dylan Carlson (YAM);
0–250cc C
Wade Rodriguez (KTM); 2. Ezra Mintz (HON); 3. Zachary Young (YAM); 4. Justin Hinkle (HON); 5. Timothy Stribling (YAM);
30-and-over Veteran C
Hayden Roy (YAM); 2. Jacob Castillo (KTM); 3. Quentin Bentley (HUS); 4. Erik Chase (YAM);
40-and-over Senior C
Matthew Maurer (YAM); 2. Daryl Bear (KTM); 3. James Snell (BET); 4. Derrick Hoover (KTM); 5. Drew Waterfall (HUS);
50-and-over Super Senior C
Steven Kelly (KTM); 2. Chad Boognl (HUS); 3. William Arthur (KTM); 4. Kurt Van Sant (YAM); 5. James Lopez (KTM);
60-and-over Masters C
Doug Brown (GG); 2. Greg Kaufman (KTM); 3. Scott Bayles (KTM);
Women’s C
Bodi Bitton (KTM); 2. Anne Kaphengst (KAW); 3. Kayla Cacciatore (HUS); 4. Laura Landon (BET);
Beginner
Asa Moffitt (HON); 2. Rylee Carns (YAM); 3. Nathan Davis (KTM);
Super Mini C
Joseph Benavidez (HUS); 2. Memphis Dorame (KAW);
85cc Open
Derek Grain (YAM); 2. Nathan Dirmeyer (YAM); 3. Izaiah Mintz (KAW); 4. Abel Hightower (HON);
Women’s Beginner
Leighton Ryan (KTM); 2. Aila Bitton (KTM); 3. Kai Worrell (HON); 4. Jacquelynn Davis (HON); 5. Katelynn Davis (HON);
65cc Open
Nathan Dirmeyer (HUS); 2. Brody Chavarria (HUS); 3. Cooper Robbins (KTM); 4. Emmit Ryan (KTM); 5. Ryker Powell (GG);
50cc Open
Leighton Ryan (KTM); 2. Jaxon Powell (KTM); 3. Jackson Castillo (KTM); 4. Lacey Bitton (KTM); 5. Eleanor Marble (YAM)
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