Shiprock Marathon set for May 6-7
Submitted The Shiprock Marathon attracted 300 youths last year at its annual event with the Ojo Amarillo Elementary School in Fruitland, N.M. having the most entries.
FRUITLAND
Bigger and better is something officials behind the 33rd Shiprock Marathon always aim for every year when it comes to the renowned event.
And this year will be anything but short of that.
Each year brings new opportunities for a more enticing event says Shiprock Marathon Race Director Tom Riggenbach.
He said an open pasta dinner for all competitors and the kids’ marathon look to be the highlights this year.
“We’re expecting 500 folks at the dinner that’s going to be Friday evening, (Navajo) Vice President (Jonathan) Nez will be speaking there…” he said. “Plus we expect a lot of the kids from the marathon to be there, so it’s just going to be a lot of fun.”
The kids portion of the “final mile” race will kick off the racing events at 5 p.m., Friday, May 6, as well as the 5K and 10K trail races starting at 6 p.m., Saturday, May 7. The marathon and marathon relays will begin at 7 a.m. and the half marathon at 8 a.m.
Packet pick-ups will begin on Friday from 12-8 p.m., along side the health expo, that runs from 12-6 p.m., both will take place at the Shiprock Youth Complex. The pasta party will run from 4-8 p.m.
Riggenbach said the pasta dinner has been an annual event before race day but this year it’s included in all runners’ packets. He also said that the kids’ marathon will feature over 300 participants, one of the highest numbers the organization has seen.
The pasta party will feature Nez, who will participant in one of the races, along with other motivational speakers including Navajo Olympic trials runner Linnabah Synder.
Riggenbach said there will be live music from local artists and other speakers as well. He added that the growing interest in the events on Friday is what he and organizers had hoped for.
“It’s been kind of growing the last few years, this year we’re trying to really make it a major event on that Friday evening,” he said. “All in all that’s a really great event.”
Riggenbach said the kids’ race has gained a lot of momentum over the years. He said Ojo Amarillo Elementary School has the largest group with 70 students participating while he Diné Dream Charter School has 27 of it’s 33 students signed up.
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Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow