Runners converge in Albuquerque for the National Native American 10k Championship

By Rhonda LeValdo / Native Health News Alliance

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – With a commanding lead over the second place runner, a member of the Zia Pueblo and past national cross country championship team at University of Colorado took home the title of National Native American 10k champion.

Dillion Shije, joined runners from all over Indian Country as they converged on Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute campus to compete in the race that also honored Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota, the only American runner to win the 10,000 meter Olympic gold medal. This year marked the 50th anniversary of his feat.

On winning the overall title, Shije said: “This was my first race back after taking a break after college; I was half asleep the majority of the race. I finally woke up about 2 kilometers to go and pushed really hard. To come out here and win this – it’s extremely special.”

Race Director Mike Daney (Choctaw) said he was pleased with turnout. “We were overwhelmed with the amount of people who wanted to come out and support Billy (Mills) and we had a limit on the number of runners we could have run the 10k and we sold out,” he said.

Young and old competed side by side as the sun rose over the Sandia Mountains. Acoma Pueblo runner Esther Felipe came in with cheers from the crowd; she was crowned the 70+ Women’s National Native American champion.

Race results for the Overall winners for the individual age groups in the National Native American 10k Championships:

Male:

• 14 & Under: Kashon Harrison (Navajo)
• 15-19: Michael Tenorio (Laguna, Santo Domingo, Hopi/Tewa and Navajo) Village of Paguate, Laguna Pueblo, NM)
• 20-19: Dillon Shije (Zia Pueblo) Zia Pueblo, NM
• 30-39: Andy Yazzie (Navajo) Rehoboth, NM
• 40-49: Robert Tsinnajinnie (Navajo) Torreon, NM
• 50-59: Denny Henio (Navajo) Ramah, NM
• 60-69: Jimmy Cheykaychi (Santo Domingo Pueblo & Hopi) Santo Domingo, NM
• 70 & Over: Joe Analla (Laguna Pueblo) Mesa, AZ

Female:

• 14 & Under: Aubree Francis (Laguna & Acoma Pueblos) Laguna, NM
• 15-19: Kim Chapman (Zuni Pueblo) Albuquerque, NM
• 20-29: Sheyenne Lewis (Navajo) Pinedale, NM
• 30-39: Tana Kaskalla (Zuni Pueblo) Albuquerque, NM
• 40-49: Caroline Sekaquaptewa (Hopi) Sipaulovi Village, AZ
• 50-59: Yevette Sandoval (Zuni Pueblo) Albuquerque, NM
• 70 & Over: Ester Felipe (Acoma Pueblo) Acoma, NM

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