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For the third straight year, the famous Rarámuri (Tarahumara) runners will take part in the Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon.
Santiago Batista Gonzales and Pedro Lerma Lino are Rarámuri – which means “those who walk through life correctly” or “he who runs well” – and will be competing.
Last year, Lino won a rugged trail race lasting two days and two nights in Copper Canyon, earning 400 pounds of beans, corn and other staples for his village.
The women’s field includes Nike N7 ambassador and USA Olympic Trials qualifier Alvina Begay, 2013 Hokkaido Marathon champion Yuko Watanabe and Sarah Kiptoo, last year’s runner-up in the 2013 Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon.
Also this year, they will honor Steve ‘King of the Mountain’ Gachupin and they will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of Billy Mills’ historic Gold Medal in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in the 10K meter.
The female and male half marathon victors will earn over $4,000 in prize money.
Races begin at 8 a.m. at Fort Marcy Park.
For more information on the event, see santafethunder.com.
