At the 2019 Shiprock Marathon, we ran, volunteered, and gave a massage to a hero—Navajo Code Talker, John Kinsel, Sr.
Again this year, Eve’s Fund Team members actively participated in the 36th Shiprock Marathon weekend May 3-4, 2019. Over 2,200 children and adults took part in one of the running events and hundreds more families and loved ones were present to cheer them on.
For over six years, in an effort to increase the awareness of the need for injury prevention education on the Navajo Nation, Eve’s Fund and our ThinkFirst Navajo program have been represented at this spectacular and well-organized event.
More than a marathon
Google ‘best marathon in New Mexico’ and Shiprock Marathon pops up. And no wonder! Shiprock Marathon is a demanding run at over 5,000 feet, with iconic vistas of Shiprock, involves the whole community, has Navajo Code Talkers and other Navajo leaders at the finish line. It entertains with a hoop dancer, engages an army of volunteers, provides special flourishes like massages, pickle juice and blue corn mush. It is an encouraging gathering of a bunch of nice people.
We ran
My dear friend, Mary Lee Madison, from Glendale, AZ, joined me for the challenging and well-monitored 5K run on Friday evening. We both finished! However, we wished we had been running on a regular basis and had started earlier in our lives. Nevertheless, since there were not many racers in the 70+ year old category, we felt proud of our accomplishment!
“The Golden Girls”—Barbara Crowell Roy, Mary Lee Madison, Betty Ojaye getting ready to run the 5K at the 2019 Shiprock Marathon
We were joined by our friend Betty Ojaye who named us the “Golden Girls” in the above photo that was taken of the three of us.
Jodee Dennison, Director of our ThinkFirst Navajo Injury Prevention Program completed her 11th half-marathon this year. Jodee has dedicated her entire career to injury prevention education among Native Americans. We are grateful to have her on our team.
Along with the crowd, we loved watching the Shiprock Kids Marathon. Close to 250 kids ran the “Final 1.2 Miles.” From January-May, these kids kept a journal of the miles they ran; then completed their marathon as the first major event of the weekend. Check out this delightful article by Jocelyn Lockwood, published in the Canyon Echo Journal about the Navajo students from Utah who completed the Kids Marathon.
Christian, Trevor, and Wallace Begaye. Photo by Jocelyn Lockwood.
We Volunteered
A marathon runs on volunteers. Over 450 dedicated kids, adults and families made themeselves available in various capacities for the event. Mary Lee and I signed up to give massages in the “Wellness Tent.” Along with 5 others, we worked throughout most of race day. We ended up giving nearly 150 massages each lasting 8-10 minutes. We enjoyed spending a little time eating healthy snacks at the end of the day in the Volunteer Hospitality Center, hosted by Rolanda Lee and Sharon Sandoval.
Eve’s Fund president, Barbara Crowell Roy joined by volunteers Rolanda Lee and her nephews who worked tirelessly throughout the Shiprock Marathon events.
We Gave a Massage to a Hero
Navajo Code Talker getting neck massage by Barbara Crowell Roy, Eve’s Fund president at 2019 Shiprock Marathon.
I was able to connect with one of my heroes—Navajo Code Talker—John Kinsel, Sr. Mr. Kinsel had spent more than four hours in the hot sun at the finish line greeting incoming runners and signing autographs. He was also present the evening before to congratulate all of the children completing the Shiprock Kids Marathon.
Without a doubt, for me, the highlight of the 2019 Shiprock Marathon was being able to give Mr. Kinsel a massage again this year. At 98, he looks terrific and not a day older than a year ago. I decided that he deserved more than a 10-minute massage so his lasted more than 40 minutes — most of which time he was asleep! No one complained! As a matter of fact, a number of people waited for me to finish so they could get his autograph!
Mr. Kinsel is a Marine, a Navajo Code Talker and a hero. I feel lucky to have met him, and hopefully, to have eased some of his aches and pains.
Last year, I wrote an article, published in the Navajo Times, about how proud I was to have met him and his devoted family. You can view the article here: https://evecrowellsfund.org/2018/05/honoring-a-navajo-code-talker-with-a-massage.
The “Proud and the Few,” Navajo Code Talker John Kinsel, Sr. getting massage at the 2019 Shiprock Marathon, with race director, Tom Riggenbach and Barbara Crowell Roy looking on.
Ronald Kinsel, presenting Mary Lee Madison with an autographed copy of a hand-painted poster of his father, Navajo Code Talker, John Kinsel, Jr.
It was an ‘Epic Event’
Congratulations to Race Director, Tom Riggenbach and his extraordinary NavajoYes team for organizing a wonderful family and community event—the 2019 Shiprock Marathon. You are right, Tom, this year’s Shiprock Marathon was an ‘Epic Event.’ Thank you for bringing positive changes to the Navajo Nation. Eve’s Fund/ThinkFirst Navajo is happy to be a part of this endeavor.
Shiprock Marathon is sponsored by NavajoYes, a community-based non-profit that promotes a healthy and active lifestyle for youth on the Navajo Nation. Since their mission and values overlap with those of Eve’s Fund, we have supported their programs as often as possible through our Community Initiatives Funds. We believe in the work they are doing with Navajo youth.
Add it to your bucket list and join Eve’s Fund/ThinkFirst Navajo at the 2020 Shiprock Marathon
We hope all of you runners and interested people out there will put it on your “bucket list” to participate next year! Please consider joining our Eve’s Fund/ThinkFirst Navajo team and help us raise funds to save lives and prevent injuries on the Navajo Nation. Please contact us at: https://evecrowellsfund.org/contact-us/ if you are interested and to learn more about our programs.
Just like the famous rabbit, Eve’s Fund keeps on running. We look forward to seeing you at the 2020 Shiprock Marathon.
SPECIAL UPDATE:
Three Navajo code talkers have died since the 2019 Shiprock Marathon and as of June 18, there are five known living Navajo Code Talkers remaining (including John Kinsel, Sr.), according to Peter MacDonald, president of the Navajo Code Talkers Association. Read these beautifully expressed feelings about the passing of the Navajo Code Talkers, written recently by Anthony Anaya-Gorman.
