2026 AZ Fun Run and Route 66 Centennial Celebration #36

Welcome back to Black Beauty Jag. I'm Chloe.

And I'm Caesar.

And this week, the story returns to Route 66 for the Arizona Fun Run during the centennial year of the mother road 100 years. Which honestly feels impossible to say out loud.

It really does.And if someone has ever driven Route 66 through Arizona during Fun Run weekend, they know there's something incredible and awesome to explain about it.

It's not just Dakar event.

No. It's nostalgia, Americana, old stories, chrome music, desert roads and memories all stitched together.

And this year carried a different energy.

A lot of longtime attendees noticed that.

Registration sold out incredibly quickly this year because of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration.

From what people were saying, some of the official registrations disappeared within only a couple of days.

And Michael and Deborah definitely noticed fewer familiar faces this year.

But at the Same time, Route 66 felt more international than ever.

That part really surprised Deborah.

People from all over the world were driving the route.

Different languages, different flags, different vehicles. But everybody there. Because Route 66 means something bigger than just a highway.

It's become mythology.

Exactly.

And even though Michael and Deborah weren't officially registered this year, they decided to drive the route anyway.

Because honestly, driving the road is the heart of the Arizona Fun Run.

Top down in Black Beauty Jag heading out with everyone else onto Route 66.

And of course, Black Beauty Jag immediately started drawing attention.

She always does.

People waving, taking pictures, cheering.

And somehow every year, she, the only Jaguar, ends up being grouped with the.

Camaros every single time. It's even ironic how many times they all will be driving the Camaros in a pack and Black Beauty Jag just ahead of them. Or vice versa.Completely unplanned.

Apparently nobody quite knows what category to.

Place a Jaguar in, Especially when Black Beauty Jag is literally the only Jaguar there.

The Jaguar Club of one.

Exactly.

But Black Beauty Jag was actually featured on Arizona Fun Run promotional materials this year when the AZ Fun Run promoted the participation of Jaguars.

And of course, that would be Black Beauty Jag.

And honestly, that felt like enough of an honor for Michael and Deborah.

So true. So, Caesar, you were mentioning burnout or something?

Yes. Then came the burnout section.

Okay, tell us more.

Now, older muscle cars can usually do burnouts a little easier than modern performance cars.

Oh, yes, I do know what you are talking about now. It is because newer cars are filled with electronics and safety systems designed specifically to prevent that sort of thing.

Exactly, Chloe. But the crowd was cheering for Black Beauty Jag to do it anyway.

They were encouraging her, weren't they, Caesar?I remember now that Deborah said Michael did a few passes there on the main street in Seligman without doing the burnout, but the crowds kept cheering for Black Beauty Jag. So he went for it and she performed.

Yep, she gave them just enough.

A little crowd pleasing roar of her.

Own, which absolutely made the audience happy.

From what Deborah was saying, that first night kickoff in Seligman really had incredible energy.

And that's the thing about these events. Even when parts evolve, the excitement around the cars and the road itself is still alive.

Michael and Deborah also noticed some of the towns felt a little more overwhelmed.

This year, which is understandable.

The communities appreciate the tourism and commerce, but there is also a level of chaos that comes with huge crowds, especially.

During a centennial year.

Oatman felt a little more tired this.

Year, almost like the town was trying to catch its breath.

Michael and Deborah happened to arrive right after a biker event had moved through. And the residents honestly just seemed ready to have their town back for a little while.

Which is fair.

Absolutely fair.

But one place that was as warm and welcoming as ever was Cool Springs Station. Always right outside Oakman in Golden Valley, Arizona.

And if people recognize that name, there's a reason.

It's the real Cool Springs Station associated with the car's movie inspiration.

And every single time Michael and Deborah drive through there, Deborah always buys jewelry without fail.

Or should we say Michael buys jewelry for her that she picks out.

Eh, so true, Caesar. He is very generous with her love of handmade jewelry. She just absolutely loves the jewelry. And he loves her.

And Michael loves seeing her in the jewelry. They both love stopping at this particular store, especially because of how friendly everyone is and never a disappointment there.

This year, shopkeepers Deb and Kirsten were there, welcoming everyone with the same warmth they always show.

And this time, the jewelry purchase became unexpectedly emotional.

That was because Deborah found a necklace with a motorcycle on it.

And it immediately reminded her of her.

Former mother-in-law, who honestly was more like a mother to her.

And apparently a biker chick back in the day. Very much so protective too, from what I understand.

Oh, absolutely. She used to joke. Do you want me to call the brothers? They'll take care of it.

That is both intimidating and wholesome at the same time.

Exactly.

And somehow standing there on Route 66 holding that necklace connected all those memories together.

That's what the road does.

It connects the past and present.

Cars, people, memories, stories.

And speaking of Oatman, the donkeys deserve a mention.

The famous Oatman donkeys who are adorable,.

But also very enthusiastic.

Which is exactly why beloved Trudy stayed safely with her friends at Bill's MuttHouse during the trip. With so many friends, they like Mia.

And others getting her snuggles and pedicure during this time away.

Oh yes, they often carry her around the entire time she stays there. And of course Trudy loves it because.

Tiny Italian greyhuahua versus large enthusiastic donkey is probably not the matchup Michael and Deborah wanted.

Definitely not.

Although I suspect Trudy believes she could win that fight.

Oh, you know she does. And she's probably correct if running is all that is involved.

And one thing Michael and Deborah missed this year was seeing angel and his family at the Route 66 gift shop in Seligman.

But honestly, during the Route 66 centennial celebration, family comes first.

Angel helped preserve and celebrate Route 66.

Culture for decades, and Michael and Deborah completely understood the family closing in a timely manner to spend time celebrating together.

They'll definitely see them again on another drive through Seligman.

Because honestly, Arizona fun run or not, Michael and Deborah always stop there. They are not limited by a scheduled fun run.

That's part of the tradition now.

And that may actually be the biggest takeaway from this year, that the official.

Events are only one part of the experience.

Because the real spirit of Route 66 still exists between the towns, the people, the roadside shops, the conversations, and the miles themselves.

Even as things evolve.

Maybe especially because they evolve.

And somewhere between the cheering crowds, desert highways, international visitors, old signs and memories carried quietly along the road, Route 66.

Is still very much alive, one mile at a time. And Black Beauty Jag is grateful to still be part of the story.