Shiprock High runner
exceeds expectation with 10K win
Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Jazelle Thompson, 16, crosses the finish line during the 10K race at the 2025 Narbona Pass Classic on Sunday morning. The upcoming Shiprock junior won the women’s race in 49:39.790.
NARBONA PASS, N.M.
Sixteen-year-old Jazelle Thompson had quite the surprise on Sunday morning.
The Shiprock native exceeded her expectations by winning the women’s 10K race at 2025 Narbona Pass Classic. The soon-to-be junior toured the demanding course in 49 minutes, 39.790 seconds, turning in the 30th fastest time among the 338 runners registered.
“I actually did not expect to get first place,” Thompson said. “I was just going to go out here to give it my all and see what I get. I’m actually trying to get in shape for cross country, so I’m actually surprised. I’m happy with what I did.”
This was Thompson second time running at the annual race, having competed in the 5K race last year.
“I wanted to give myself a challenge and try the 10K,” Thompson said of why she opted to run the longer race. “Last year, I thought the 5K was hard but the 10K is a whole different thing. There is like so many hills; it’s like a mental challenge so you have to push yourself through.”
Thompson, who earned all-state honors for finishing seventh at the New Mexico Class 4A state cross country meet last year, stayed with the lead pack at the beginning. She asserted her fitness level while ascending the mountain’s summit en route to her win as Thompson’s former teammate, Taylor Begay, placed second at 51:44.986 while third-place finisher Leona Slim clocked in at 54:15.983.
“There were two other girls that I saw who were kind of like in front of me or beside me,” Thompson said of the start of the race. “But when we were going up the hill, I noticed that I passed them so I was like, I don’t think there was no other girl in front of me, so let me see if I can keep this speed.”
Coming down the stretch, Thompson did not waver as she drew inspiration knowing that she completed the toughest part of the course early in the race.
“This was my first 10K I’ve ran, and I just wanted to get it done,” she said. “I’ve been training for this, so I was like I could do this.”
For the upcoming high school cross country season, Thompson is hoping to break 19 minutes at one of her 5K races. At last year’s state meet, she came close by completing the state course in 19:10.7.
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