Zuni
Runners
contributed by Tanya
Sheka, Zuni Pueblo
The Zuni Fitness Series
The Zuni Fitness Series is a Community based event which
is held annually at the Pueblo of Zuni during the summer
months.The Zuni Fitness Series has achieved a remarkable
reputation with the help from local and surrounding area
businesses for creating diabetes and health awareness in the
Zuni community and regionally throughout the southwest. Each
year the Z.F.S. enrolls more than 1,000 individuals in
exercise and running events that span over a four month
period from May through August. T-shirts trophies and other
awards are used as incentives to attract individuals from
the Zuni community and elsewhere to participate in the
events. We have created a tremendous community event where
health screening and fitness awareness are promoted while
everyone has a lot of fun being physically active. For
further information call the Zuni Wellness Center @ (505)
782-2665.
Zuni Roadrunners
The Zuni Roadrunners is a student/teacher/parent exercise
club which was started by Ms. Jennifer D. Holmes of Zuni,
New Mexico. The program, which has been featured on
Albuquerque TV stations and at numerous wellness and health
education conferences around New Mexico, incorporates weekly
exercise into the schools' curricula. Teachers, parents, and
students make a commitment at the beginning of the school
year to run or walk 50 miles by the end of the year. Careful
records are kept in each member's "jog log" and teachers
integrate the exercise program into other subject areas,
such as math, science, geography and art. When a participant
reaches 50 miles he or she is awarded a t-shirt. The
t-shirts are designed by students who vote on their favorite
design. Other rewards are presented to those who go over 50
miles.
With the help of Wings,
Boehringer- Mannheim Corporation and the Zuni Fitness
Series, 226 t- shirts were awarded in 1992. The teachers and
parents who coordinate Zuni Roadrunners believe that a
lifestyle, which incorporates the ancient Native American
tradition of running and staying fit, will help students
become healthy, positive adults who will be able to survive
the pressures of drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, obesity
and diabetes which affect many Indian communities.
A:Shiwi Running Club
A:Shiwi Running Club was started in 1994 by five runners
who wanted to get more of the community involved in running.
In 1994 the target group of runners the members wanted to
attract were the youth of Zuni. During the first meeting of
the newly formed club over 50 youth of various ages showed
up to run with some of the club members. Since its formation
the club has gone on to win numerous awards in the male,
female and coed divisions in many of the races that they
have entered. For the past two years, the A:Shiwi Running
Club has been represented in the Boston Marathon.
Boston 1994 - For the six members of the A:Shiwi Runners
Club , now known as the A:Shiwi Running Club, 1994 was a
year to remember. Five of the members had qualified to run
in the prestigious marathon, with the sixth member, Joe
Dishta, willing to support the others by accompanying them
and running the race unofficially. Gordon Quam, Abner
Lupee, and Lavina Barber all met qualifying marks at the
Duke City marathon in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jeromey
Chavez and Tanya
Sheka met their goals by qualifying at the Las Vegas
marathon later that same season. This newly formed group of
pioneers were the first contingent from the pueblo of Zuni
to run in the Boston marathon. Lavina Barber the lone Navajo
amidst her friends from Zuni represented the A:Shiwi Runners
in the 98th running of the Boston marathon. Tanya Sheka
opened the door as the first Zuni pueblo woman to run in the
Boston marathon, with others to follow her lead in the
following years.
Boston 1995 - The A:Shiwi Running Club now had a few more
members at the 99th running of the Boston marathon.
Returning runners were Jeromey Chavez, Abner Lupee,
Albert
Chopito, and Gordon Quam. During this run Brenda
Othole-Quam and Rodney
Lupee also ran in Boston as part of the A:Shiwi Running
Club.
Boston 1996 - During the 100th running of the Boston
Marathon the A:Shiwi Running Club will once again
participate in the 26.2 mile race. Results of those runners
will be entered as soon as it is received.
Photograph courtesy of Richard Lynch
© Richard Lynch
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