by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Running has taken native runner Marlon Onco to many destinations. The year old has completed his 100th marathon and already started his next 100 marathons.
Marlon Onco is half Kiowa and half Comanche and enrolled in the Kiowa tribe. He is 56 years old and currently resides in Norman, OK and is originally from Hobart, OK.
His parents were Fred Onco, Kiowa, from Hobart and Esther Tahdooahnippah Onco, Comanche from Lawton, OK, and both are deceased now.
“Since I’m both Kiowa and Comanche, I’d like to think I inherit my strong values from both of my tribes,” said Marlon. “Both tribes historically were fighters and survivors, and they displayed great strength then and now. I like to think, along with my faith in the Lord, that I get my strength and confidence to just keep going on with my running from my family and ancestors. I’m currently in my 43rd year of running now, and it started in the spring of 1978.”
“The person who was a big influence to me to become a runner was my oldest brother, Cornell Tahdooahnippah,” said Marlon. “He was a state champion mile runner back in 1964. Although I never seen him run during his high school days due to our age difference of 17 years, I just heard about the stories of his running, from family and himself. He always encouraged me to take up running, although we didn’t have cross-country in our school, and just track. I ended up taking track my freshman year in high school and got hooked on it, running year-around solo until the next track season started.”
“My athletic accomplishments include having a two-time third place finish in the 2 mile run at state in high school, beaten only by cross country runners. As I stated, our school did have cross-country, and I truly believe a high school kid should have cross country, and it definitely builds strength for a runner. Got to have that year-around base mileage going. A high school distance runner in track without cross country is a handicapped runner vs. those who have cross country.”
“I suppose my biggest accomplishment has been qualifying not once but twice for the Boston Marathon in 2014 and 2015. I reached my goal of running 100 marathons in 24 different states. I’m currently at 101 now. Just because I reached my goal doesn’t mean I won’t run any more marathons. I’ll continue on, and it’s a healthy passion of mine.”
“The youngest of ten siblings including eight brothers and two sisters, Marlon grew up with many athletic role models,” said nephew Forrest Tahdooahnippah. “His older brother and my dad Cornell was the state champion in the mile, and his older brother David was a family legend for winning five track events at one meet. David, along with Marlon’s brothers Conrad and Spencer, were also all well known for their prowess on the football field as part of Hobart High School’s ‘Kiowa defense.’ Marlon followed in their footsteps and was on both the football and track teams at Hobart High School. His senior year he was the kicker on Hobart’s undefeated football team and set the school record in the two mile run. After high school, Marlon continued to run and attended Haskell and SIPI. He currently resides in Norman, OK where he has to contend with Oklahoma’s hot, muggy summers and frigid winters. Nonetheless, he is able to average thirty miles per week in training year round.”
Photo Credits: Focal Flame Photography of Madison, WI and Courtesy of Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon and Marlon Onco
