The Shiprock Marathon will provide a unique and memorable running experience the first weekend of May in Shiprock, New Mexico!
The Marathon will begin at 7:00 a.m. with the start/finish area in Shiprock. Runners who expect to compete for overall or age-group awards should start in the front of the mass start at 7:00. The Half Marathon will start at 7:30 a.m. This year’s race is USATF-certified and is a Boston qualifier!
The out-and-back road course includes views of Shiprock Pinnacle and a gentle long downhill slope on the return. There will be great course support and live music along the way. Expect to see the likes of Red Hawk, Pinon Pickers, Mountain Spring, local royalty including traditional sounds, pow-wow, hoop dancing, rez country, Navajo blues and much more! A 5K Trail Race will be offered as well. There are plaque and/or medal awards for overall and age-group top finishers in the 5K. Runners receive a performance t-shirt, post-race snacks, plus they have a chance at awards.
Aid stations will be available every single mile along the Marathon and Half Marathon courses. Aid stations will include Honey Stinger gels, fresh fruit, Gatorade and water, and sweets and salties. Portajohns will be available at the start lines and along the course. There will be medical support throughout the route and at the finish.
The Finish Line Food Area – You will receive a Fit-Ful snack box when you cross the finish line, which will also have a variety of beverages – water, Gatorade and chocolate milk. Be sure to visit the Domino’s food truck and flash your bib for your slice of Domino’s pizza. There will also be a fresh fruit tent next to Domino’s, if you are looking for a banana, clementine or apple.
Post-Race Party & Awards – There will be live music, great food and awards at the finish line. All Marathon and Half Marathon finishers will receive a well-earned medal when they finish. Results will be available instantly and awards will be presented to overall and age-group winners as soon as possible. Any awards that are not presented will be mailed or delivered to the winners.
Shiprock is the English name for Tsé Bit’a’í, which is the Dine’ name meaning “Rock with Wings”. Because it is sacred to the Dine’, climbing around on it is strictly forbidden. Tsé Bit’a’í figures into several stories, and is part of several ceremonies. This is what makes it sacred- it is part of the current Dine’ history and ceremonial life.
Geologically, Tsé Bit’a’í is the remnant of an extinct volcano. Called a diatreme, it is one of many such features throughout the region. Considered to be 27 million years old, Tsé Bit’a’í is quite young in relation to the sedimentary rocks through which it emerges, which make up the Colorado Plateau, and are hundreds of millions of years old.
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Great race, great event, great people.
This was my second marathon. This race was awesome. Navajo nation puts together a fantastic race. The course was difficult for me being I live in Texas and in a … MORE
This was my second marathon. This race was awesome. Navajo nation puts together a fantastic race. The course was difficult for me being I live in Texas and in a humid and low elevation climate. So the high elevation and dry climate did ply a factor. The fist 6 miles are up hill and I did not pace myself well. At mile 18 I started cramping up, but the scenery the peacefulness, Navajo Nations great support throughout the whole race. The set up. It was awesome I would wouldn’t have crossed that finished with out the great support of Navajo Nation. Thank you guys I hope to run this race again.
Simple and beautiful marathon
This is a small race produced by people with a passion. The race is at a moderately high altitude and is gradually uphill for the first half so you must … MORE
This is a small race produced by people with a passion. The race is at a moderately high altitude and is gradually uphill for the first half so you must pace yourself so that you can have a strong finish. Prior to the start, you get to experience the Star Spangled Banner sung in the Navaho language and a Navaho prayer in addition to their own song dedicated to their nation. The scenery was quite a spectacle to look at and I found that I was meditating and appreciating God’s creation and the blessings of being able to run throughout the race.
Starts WAY too late. Too hot.
Pros: It was like being invited into a family's home and being treated like family. They had a prayer before the start. What a wonderful touch. I loved it. Gorgeous … MORE
Pros:
It was like being invited into a family’s home and being treated like family.
They had a prayer before the start. What a wonderful touch. I loved it.
Gorgeous desert scenery.
Cons:
They start the race way too late. For slower runners, the heat was killer.
My First Half Marathon
Ran this race as my first ever half marathon because it required no travel on my part. The course is flat which is nice, however the weather this year was … MORE
Ran this race as my first ever half marathon because it required no travel on my part. The course is flat which is nice, however the weather this year was hot. Post race area is crowded, congested and very loud. I did not stick around. However, scenery was very neat (high desert) and the bussing to start line was organized. Race was good.
I got high!!! (altitude)
This marathon was freezing to start (blowing snow), and a dust storm to end...seriously. Here are some things to know. -Altitude will hurt you if you are a low level … MORE
This marathon was freezing to start (blowing snow), and a dust storm to end…seriously. Here are some things to know.
-Altitude will hurt you if you are a low level flat-lander like me, don’t discount it
-GU was not at the stations where it should have been
-Half marathoners consumed all gels at the end of race course before marathoners arrived
-Scenery is beautiful, actually, amazing!!!
-Swag is really good
Gorgeous, downhill desert run
This net downhill, point-to-point marathon begins close to the Arizona border and ends at Shiprock High School. Everything in between is mostly gorgeous, endless desert. Don't run this race if … MORE
This net downhill, point-to-point marathon begins close to the Arizona border and ends at Shiprock High School. Everything in between is mostly gorgeous, endless desert. Don’t run this race if you like your scenery to change. Run this race if you like the feeling of running, pure and simple. You will feel like you’re not going anywhere, but in the ethereal, almost poetic infinity of the desert, I ran happily. Though the elevation hovers around 4,000 feet, the gradual downhill and bone-dry air should boost you to a fast time.