Photograph courtesy of Richard Lynch © Richard Lynch
contributed by
Tanya
Sheka, Zuni Pueblo
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.
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 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.
