400-Mile Navajo Nation Commemorative Run

Today marks the first day and first miles of a 400-mile run from Fort Sumner, New Mexico to Window Rock, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of 1868 and the Dine people’s return to their homelands.

The run is being led by Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan Nez. This is just one part of the 8th Annual Navajo Special Diabetes Program’s Running for a Stronger and Healthier Navajo Nation initiative.

The run is going to be split into three stages with an average of 30 miles per day. The total mileage will be run over 14 days with rest days in between each stage. The run is scheduled to end in Window Rock at the Navajo Nation Museum on the morning of June 1.

Today marks Day 1 of Stage 1, and is dedicated to the Navajo Nation’s Veterans for all they have sacrificed.

Day 2 is being dedicated to the Navajo Nation’s youth for the future.

Day 3 is being dedicated to the Navajo Nation’s elders for the wisdom and knowledge they provide.

Vice President Nez is quoted as stating “The run is designed to honor the resilience of the people, while also solemnly commemorating the end of the darkest time in Navajo history. Since the Dine returned to the land between their four sacred mountains, they have grown in strength and numbers, and are now recognized as one of the strongest native nations in the country, with the largest land base.