Narbona Pass Classic attracts record number of participants
Navajo Times | Ravonelle Yazzie The 37th annual Narbona Pass Classic attracted 992 participants at this year’s race, including 414 runners in the 5K race and 398 in the 10K race.
NARBONA PASS, N.M.
Navajo Times | Ravonelle Yazzie
The 37th annual Narbona Pass Classic attracted 992 participants at this year’s race, including 414 runners in the 5K race and 398 in the 10K race.
A record number of participants competed in the 37th annual Narbona Pass Classic, which featured 10K, 5K, 5K Fitness Walk and Kids’ Race.
Race founder Chester Carl said the field of entries was impressive.
“The races were great,” he said. “There (were) many new runners. There (were) many new young runners that entered. Plus we had many veteran runners that have been running for a long time. This year the runners really enjoyed the race. The spectators (were) pretty big. This is probably the largest turnout spectator-wise and entries.”
The 10K race featured 398 participants. The 5K race had a whopping 414 entries. There were 110 participants in the Fun Walk. The Kids’ Run had 70. The total number was 992 participants.
Santiago Hardy, a senior at Chinle High School, captured the grueling 10K race. He crossed the finish line in 36:12. Hardy unseated two-time champion Andy Yazzie, who finished third place, turning in a 37:40.
“We have a new champion,” Carl said. “He (Hardy) did a really good job. He put a lot of distance between himself and second place.”
Dustin Martin, Wings of America Program Director, finished as runner-up. Martin, a former cross-country and track standout at Columbia University, was clocked in 36:57.
Among the 10K runners was Navajo Nation Vice-President Jonathan Nez. Nez completed the race in 57:37 for 140th place.
“The highlight for many runners was running with Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan Nez in the 10K,” Carl said. “He also did a good job. He encouraged runners to keep up and he walk the talk.”
Alvina Begay, who won the women’s race for the 11th time was clocked in 42:07.
“Alvina really pushed herself in the race,” Carl said. “A lot of the girl’s top name high school runners were right behind her.”
Nicholas Jameson nailed down the 5K title. He toured the rugged terrain in 18:12. Ty McCray followed in second place with a 19:49 showing. John Begay settled for third place, negotiating the course in 20:00.
Arena Lewis was the first female to cross the finish line in the 5K. She was clocked in 21:19.
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Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow