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(Times photo - Donovan Quintero)
Randy Billey of Farmington runs along Navajo Route 13 at about the halfway mark of the 25th Annual Shiprock Marathon & Relays with Tsé bit'a'’ in the background Saturday. Billey took first in the men's marathon in a time of 2:52:53, averaging 6:36 per mile.
Near perfect weather blessed the 25th Annual Shiprock Marathon last weekend with 937 runners entered in four events.
The 26.2-mile course was the main event and Randy Billy of Farmington won the men's division and was the overall champion. Kay Evans, 46, of Chocowinity, N.C., won the women's event.
Billy, 31, who has won the marathon for two years in a row, was timed in 2:52:53. Evans was timed at 3:30:56.
Marathon coordinator Jeff Foultz said the course is certified and accepted by the U.S. Track and Field Association and can be used to qualify for the Boston Marathon and the Olympic Trials.
Foultz said this year's event had a record number of entrants in the marathon, half marathon and the 10K trail walk, but less entries in the relay marathon, which had 65 teams.
Foultz said the addition of a 1K fun run was for young runners and "the idea was just to get them out there and be part of the marathon."
Foultz said throughout the day, the weather was perfect for runners as the wind was blowing from the back of the runners.
"Its nothing to hang your head about," Foultz said about runners that did not finish the race. "It was our Silver anniversary and we have a lot to be grateful for."
Next year's marathon will be held on May 3, 2009.
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22 comments so far (post your own)GIRLS...YOU HAVE NOT SEEN MY LEGS YET...MY BUTT IS ROUND AND SOLID AS ROCK...LEGS ARE TIGHT AND GIRLS IN FLAGSTAFF CALL ME DREAMCATCHER...TIGHT ALL OVER.
Posted by rezchief on Tuesday, 05.13.08 @ 07:04pm MDT | #949
Veteran #927, you are so right. I love it when other natives support our native youth no matter where they come from as long as they are going the right direction. That is what I see in this young kid, E. Kinleecheenie. Efren, for your good, for yourself, for your love of the game, aim high and DON'T follow people that will detour your goals. There is no short cut in life, you live it once and may you live it to the best of your ability. You are a role model to a lot of younger kids out there. Best wishes and God Bless and protect you where ever you decide to go in life. May i remind you, use your talent in a great postive way, that there, is a special gift from God alone.
Posted by nativeNDNontheREZ on Tuesday, 05.13.08 @ 05:34pm MDT | #948
#946
posted by Needs a girl...
Hey #946, them elephant legs would kill your chicken legs.
Posted by run2gethealthy on Tuesday, 05.13.08 @ 04:08pm MDT | #947
Vinyona Yazzie, hi. Do you think Randy Billey's legs are like Hillary Clinton's? Those are elephant legs.
Posted by Needs a girl on Tuesday, 05.13.08 @ 02:56pm MDT | #946
Hi! I'm one of the chinle wildcats softball girl.
Posted by Vinyona Yazzie on Tuesday, 05.13.08 @ 12:39pm MDT | #945
http://wiringstandards.net/moodle/user/view.php?id=14&course=1
Posted by Garsia on Tuesday, 05.13.08 @ 03:42am MDT | #944
GOD DAANN!!!!! THEM LEG
Posted by chelsea on Monday, 05.12.08 @ 03:48pm MDT | #943
Good Job! I too wish our Dine People would exercise more. I tried with my family but all I heard was well its my life. But they don't understand the health problems that come along with being heavy.
Once they told me I was border line diabetic and high blood pressure. I knew I had to do something now because I didn't want to be like my parents taking 5 or 6 different pills a day. So I started running a year and half ago and I lost 70 lbs in a year. I feel great. My goal is also to run a marathon. You never know I maybe out there next year.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by Dine in Santa Fe on Monday, 05.12.08 @ 09:20am MDT | #942
Randy, Are you my cousin from Sanostee? Good job still running in Marathons. Your Cousin
Posted by Your Cousin on Sunday, 05.11.08 @ 09:30pm MDT | #941
http://wiringstandards.net/moodle/user/view.php?id=11&course=1
Posted by Ninaska on Sunday, 05.11.08 @ 01:34am MDT | #940
Foultz are great people.
Billy needs to lose a lot of weight if he wants to compete with great runners from Kenya. I know some jaan girls are looking at Billy's body for only one thing, but marathoners got to be ugly and extremely thin.
Com'on NT, show some female runners....I got a reputation to live up to.
Posted by WomanizerFromShiprock on Saturday, 05.10.08 @ 10:01am MDT | #939
First, I want to thank Jeff Foultz and staff for organization this event annually in the four corners area. Good job, Randy Billy. I'm a dine wmn marathon runner from the east coast but I hope in the near future to do the shiprock marathon. Runners like Randy, Brandon Leslie and Alvina Begay inspire us to keep going also other elite runners. Alvina did a great job at the Olympic Trail (my friend and I were there). We met some other Boston Marathon DINE Runners too (we're proud of them too). There are different types of runners, the competitors or just to finish. I'm more in between, therefore, all runners and walkers you did a great job. In order to motivate people to get out there is not critizing one another but the goal is keep doing exercise. Sometimes joining a local running group is a great start or participating in the Move-it Program. As our ancestors did, I like running before sunrise to respect the new day. I like running in any types of weather (rain (except thunderstorms), windy, snow (except icy conditions but if trail is available, i'll do that). My goal is to do several marathons and do an Ultra Marathon. I have started a run/walk club here with my native friends and it's been going pretty well. Some of them have really improved their health. SO, NEVER GIVE UP!!!! BE HAPPY AND SMILE. Take Care, east coast DINE runner.
Posted by East Coast Runner on Friday, 05.9.08 @ 10:00am MDT | #938
Good Job to Randy and Kay!! LOL on comment posted at 9:40PM. very true.
Posted by OIFvet on Friday, 05.9.08 @ 05:07am MDT | #937
Use to be 280 pounds now 240 pounds. Walking is good, but avoid injury. A strained ligament can take weeks to repair so go easy. I have strained ligaments in my toes, achilles, knees, back, sacrum/hip and avoid blisters. A bad ligament injury can put you down for months. Take aspirin and vitamin C for liqament repair. Drink water and slow down if it hurts. Check with your doctor to see if you have a heart condition. If your heart stops, it feels like somebody is choking your neck and you feel pressure. This is a heart attack and death is certain. After a year, you can be a dancing hippo too. If you eat salads with good proteins those pounds will melt and you look like a Sharpie Dog. I have extra extra wide feet so make sure the shoes fit. My right foot is 1/2 size larger than my left foot so one may have to buy 2 pairs of shoes. Try to eat organic foods as the hormones given to cows may reduce your hormone levels and there is no hair growth. Have a fun walk. If diabetic be sure to take some sugar snacks.
Posted by Flag Whale on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 10:56pm MDT | #936
Its quite nice to hear that the Dine Nation have some positive direction with the marathon. We actually draw runners from all different region of the state and country.
Giving that our government system is not the greatest. Why not the Councils participate? Oh yeah! forgot, they can't run... too fat.
Posted by Great Job Runners!!! on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 09:40pm MDT | #934
WOULD BE VERY HAPPY AND PROUND IF ALL NATIVES WOULD JUST GET OUT OF THERE LAZY CHAIRS AND START RUNNING ANY DIRECTION AS LONG AS THERE EXERCISING FOR THEIR OWN GOOD, PERIOD!
GET FIT FOT A LONGER LIFE, DON'T LISTEN TO CHAPTER LIES, GO BEYOND THAT ONE WHO IS FEEDING YOU LIES ABOUT OTHER PEOPLES HEALTH, OBEY YOUR THIRST, GET FIT FOR A BETTER LIFE.
Posted by 4theHEALTHofit on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 06:50pm MDT | #933
hey that is not right, his legs are mine, his muscles to are mine. i tell you one thing, them legs are to heavy for me...haha. sorry randy, but i had to tell the truth..haha. as you can tell, randy was thinking about all me...Tara.
Posted by tara tso on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 05:45pm MDT | #932
By the way, where is Alvina Begay? I don't think randy out ran her, left her at mile post 398...haha.
Posted by easyEis2EASY on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 05:41pm MDT | #931
NICE LEGS RANDY. COOL SHADES AND BOY! LOOK AT THEM MUSCLES!!
Posted by sweetNDNchickNtown on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 05:38pm MDT | #930
Mr. Billy good job. Matter of fact, good job to all the runners.
Posted by nativebluesNDN on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 05:35pm MDT | #929
dang thats my man running for me hahaha run baby run!!!!!!!
Posted by tara tso on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 04:37pm MDT | #928
WHS pitcher Efran Kinlicheenie has the potential and stamina to succeed the in either the minor or major league competition just as any other high school baseball player envisions to become a professional sport player. The question surrounds all Navajo Nation sports enthusiast, do we support and advocate to our Navajo youths to succeed in their endeavors by being effective role models, providing mentorship and displaying effective sportsmanship when it is essential to support our Navajo youths regardless if they are playing for a non-reservation school team. Many Navajo youths whether reservation or non-reservation schools would surely appreciate your prayers and support, just like the Navajo kid who is now in the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland that graduated from Kingman High School.
Posted by '79WRHSNavyVeteran on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 03:07pm MDT | #927