Navajo Mountain runner turns hardship into 100-mile test

Jalen Woody
Special to the Times

WINDOW ROCK

Dominic King of Navajo Mountain turned to walking in 2018 while trying to steady himself after a divorce. He kept going, moved into running and now is preparing for the Zion Ultras 100-mile race on April 11.

What began as a way to cope with emotional strain became a daily routine. King, who shares three children with his ex-wife, started with walks before building up to running. In 2022, he entered his first race in his hometown, the 31-mile Naatsis’áán Trail Ultra.

King’s mother is Diné and his father is San Juan Southern Paiute. He is Nóóda’í Áshįįhí and born for San Juan Southern Paiute. His cheii is Tábąąhá and his nálí is Táchii’nii.

Andrea King, Dominic’s mother, said he weighed about 280 pounds when he began working out.

“He’s come a long ways and today he’s ran so many races since that first one (in Navajo Mountain) and he has close to maybe 30 medals,” Andrea said.

To read the full article, please see the April 9, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.

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