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About us
WHO WE ARE
Honoring the Legacy
Honoring the Legacy
The California 500 Mile American Indian Spiritual Marathon Relay Team, following the leadership and tradition of early Native American runners who were messengers, is a multicultural group of individuals dedicated to preserving the tradition of spiritual running.
The American Indian Movement authorizes this annual run and continues to sup
The California 500 Mile American Indian Spiritual Marathon Relay Team, following the leadership and tradition of early Native American runners who were messengers, is a multicultural group of individuals dedicated to preserving the tradition of spiritual running.
The American Indian Movement authorizes this annual run and continues to support it. Our principal message is: “All Life is Sacred”
We run and train together in different locations about once a month. In June, we run across California in our annual 500 Mile Spiritual Marathon. It’s a non-competitive relay where teams of runners participate in a running prayer by carrying a sacred staff. Runners will often pray for those who are sick or in prison. We also pray for the preservation of sacred Native American sites and Mother Earth. At the end of each day, the teams gather in a circle to drum, sing songs, and share stories.
The emphasis in our events is spirit, not only running ability.
We have men and women runners from many cultures and of different ages. There are also non-running team members who support the runners by driving vehicles, preparing meals, setting up camp, etc.
During the year, the team also participates in service projects for those in need. Our projects have included:
· Visiting prisons to share hope,
· Cutting firewood for elders,
· Setting up teepees for ceremony,
· Building arbors,
· Walking for peace and the preservation of sacred sites,
· Working with wildlife proponents,
· Bringing pow-wows to prisons,
· Visiting hospitals, and more.
All of our events are alcohol and drug-free.
Honoring the Legacy
Honoring the Legacy
Honoring the Legacy
The History and Purpose of the California 500 Mile American Indian Spiritual Marathon Relay
The First Native American Spiritual Marathon was started in June, 1978 by Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement. The run was held to commemorate the Longest Walk, in which over 500 North American tribes agreed to walk from San F
The History and Purpose of the California 500 Mile American Indian Spiritual Marathon Relay
The First Native American Spiritual Marathon was started in June, 1978 by Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement. The run was held to commemorate the Longest Walk, in which over 500 North American tribes agreed to walk from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., to show the dismal plight of Native people and lobby for the Native American Freedom of Religious Act. The U.S. Congress ratified the act that year, and the Sundance Ceremony was brought to D.Q. University in California.
In 1980, Dennis Banks had to leave the state of California, and he entrusted the responsibility of the runs to Bill "Mosco" Ramos. The runs have been held annually ever since, following the tradition of early Native American runners who ran between villages and distant tribes. The main purpose is to carry the message of the sacredness of all life, our relationship to all living species, and the need to maintain the delicate balance that exists between humankind and Mother Earth.
The original teams were: American Indian Center of San Francisco, CA Aztlan Track Club of Los Angeles, CA Aztlan Track Club of San Jose, CA Bay Area Roadrunners (Intertribal Friendship House) of Oakland, CA Bridgeport Indian Reservation, CA David Chief's Runners, Winters, CA DeOcampo Clan, Vallejo, CA D.Q. University, Davis, CA Four Winds Lodge Runners of San Jose, CA Mosquitos Club of San Jose, CA Paiute Runners of Oakland, CA San Jose State University, CA San Diego Hopkins Clan, CA T.E.N.A. Council, Hollister, CA Three Rivers Lodge, Manteca, CA
We would like to acknowledge and keep alive the names of the original leaders of these spiritual clans who did what most would think impossible under harsh conditions. They taught generations to carry on the rituals and ceremonies to preserve Mother Earth.
We offer our humble prayers of thanks to: Dennis Banks, Fred and Connie Short, Maggie DeOcampo, Bea DeOcampo and Wounded Knee, Linda DeOcampo, Jackie Blossom, David Chief, Elmira White, Darrell Standing Elk, Hank Lebeau, Glen Hing, Debbie Murrillo, Bill "Mosco" Ramos, Ralph Charlie, Alan Levanthal, Shirley Hopkins, Chemo Candelaria, Tom Phillips, Charlotte & Richard Baker, Mildred Hawkins, Grandpa Shorty Stone, Shorty & Carol Stone, Emma Stone, Jim Brown, Steve Searles, Bob Edwards, Sandra Jefferson, John Malloy, Arturo Rodriguez, Rudy Delgado, Danny and Nancy Romero, Monica Parra, Cesar & Helen Chavez, Paul Chavez, Randy Klein, Pablo Viramontes, Scott Harger, Kermit Cuff, Carlos Castro, Jun Yasuda aka Junsan, Joey & Cecilia Silvas, Priscilla
and Michael Hunter, Warren and Danita Quinn, Priest Martinez, Wayne Mitchum Jr, Amanda Mitchum, Ron, Bruce, Isidro and Tony Gali, Morning Star Gali, Corrina Gould, and Johnnella LaRose.
In the beginning, Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement, and Cesar Chavez, founder of the United Farm Workers, joined hands and agreed that La Paz, a peace compound outside of Bakersfield and now the resting place of Cesar, would host the 500-Mile Run along with the historical first Indian university west of the Mississippi River, D.Q. University in Davis, CA. Dennis was D.Q.'s first president.
From 1978 until 1984, there were usually about 15 teams participating as separate entries. Over time, it became difficult economically for separate teams to sponsor themselves, so it was agreed that different members could run under one flag on one main team. Members are divided into units of 10-12 runners, and each team carries a sacred staff.
After 1984, the 500 Mile team added Three Rivers Recovery Lodge in Manteca and the Mosquito Club in Ripon as ending destinations during different years. La Paz has always remained the starting honor spot to begin the 500 Mile Marathon Relay.
For the last twenty-one years, there has been a northern route as the initial southern route continues. The northern route now starts at Pitt River Nation near Burney, CA, and completes the run at the Rumsey Rancheria.
Without our friends and honor spots along the way, we could not accomplish our mission. These sites and community treasures include:
· United Farm Workers, Keene, CA
· Bishop Reservation
· Big Pine Reservation
· Lone Pine Reservation
· Bridgeport Reservation
· Tuolumne Rancheria
· Mosquito Club, Ripon, CA
· Three Rivers Lodge, Manteca, CA
· Elem Reservation, Clearlake, CA
· Pit River Reservation
· Rumsey Rancheria
· Coyote Valley Rancheria
· Hilltop Recovery Center
· Colusa Rancheria
· Mendocino Consolidated Tribal Health Project Governing Board
CONTACT US
Honoring the Legacy
CONTACT US
Kermit Cuff
Team Captain
650-426-8755
tierno23@yahoo.com
John Malloy
Director/Trainer
650-941-4341
johnthunder1022@yahoo.com