Cross country season in full effect and the taste of fall is in the air yet again! Accordingly, the Wings office has shifted its focus from Running & Fitness Camps to recruiting our 2015 National Team. Fortunately there are many regular-season races yet to be run before 14 young men and women are selected to represent Native America at the USATF Cross Country Championships next February in Boulder, CO.

As in years past, Wings will require all National Team hopefuls to run a post-season qualifying time at their Nike Cross (NXN) or Footlocker regional championship race. After all regional races have been run, a selection committee will select the top seven boys and girls from around Indian Country to represent Wings. This all-expense-paid trip is the pinnacle of the Wings experience.  Every year since 1988, Wings National Team members have received a brand new racing kit and the opportunity to prove their worth amongst the best runners in the United States. Wings teams have brought home 24 national team titles.

Because post-season racing and travelling can be expensive, Wings has developed a program to help would-be National Team members defray some of their costs.

Wings has made provisions to assist American Indian student-athletes wishing to qualify for the Wings National Team under the following terms:

Regional Race Registration Assistance:

In order for Wings to pay NXN or Footlocker Regional race registration fees, student-athletes must:

1. Have finished at least one official team race during the regular 2014 High School cross country season at (or below) the qualifying standards:

Men’s Qualifying Time________________________________________________(5K)- 17:15

Women’s Qualifying Time _____________________________________________(5K)- 21:10

**In Oklahoma_____________________________________(3200 meters)- 12:55

2. Complete the free 2015 Wings National Team Selection application on the Wings website (https://www.wingsofamerica.org/2015wingsnationalteam/) at least fourteen (14) days before the qualifying race they wish to run.

3. Email the Wings Program Director (dustin@wingsofamerica.org) at least fourteen (14) days before the qualifying race they wish to run to confirm their desire to be registered to compete.

4. Be able to provide proof of enrollment in a state or federally recognized Indian Tribe.

 5. Provide a copy of their class schedule and a “grade check” indicating that each of their current teachers considers their coursework to be of C-Average or “satisfactory” quality.

Regional Race Travel Assistance:

In addition to assisting with race registration fees, Wings will transport a number of student-athletes from Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma to NXN regional races. Those traveling in Wings vehicles will be under the direct supervision of Wings personnel during the duration of the trip and must stay in accommodations arranged by the organization the night before competition. Spots in Wings vehicles are very limited and will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis with beneficiaries adhering to the following terms:

1. Student-athletes must meet ALL qualifying criteria for race registration assistance.
2. Student-athletes must contact the Wings Program Director, Dustin Martin, as soon as possible to express their interest and reserve their spot.
3. Student-athletes are responsible for the cost of all meals and/or miscellaneous travel expenses during the trip.
4. Students-athletes and their parents must return a signed accident waiver and release of liability form to the Wings office at least seven (7) days prior to travel.
5. Students-athletes must return a signed code of conduct agreement to the Wings office at least seven (7) days prior to travel.
6. Student-athletes must meet Wings vehicles at pre-designated pick-up/drop-off locations on their way to regional races.
   1. Arizona/New Mexico locations: Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Shiprock, Gallup, Tuba City, Flagstaff. (exact locations to be specified at a later date)
   2. Oklahoma location: Oklahoma City (Bass Pro Shop)

***Alternate pick-up/drop-off locations may be arranged on a case by case bases if meeting place is on the pre-planned route of a vehicle***

The official race registration and travel assistance document/application is available HERE. Those wishing to apply should take special note of page 3, the grade check form.

For more information about the 2015 Wings National Team and selection criteria, in general, please visit the information and registration page HERE.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER!!!

Free Registration: https://www.newmexicosportsonline.com/Running/Global-Footprints-3K-XC-Relay-2014/752

As part of the 4th running of the Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon, Global Running Culture invites your child, age 6-13, to participate in the FREE Global Footprints Youth Runs! The kids’ events will be held during the Global Running Festival, where 1,000+ runners from over 30 states will be picking up their race packets and enjoying world music, international arts & crafts and cheering on the young runners!

Youth Run Map (Click to see)

Participants will receive
Nike event T-shirt, healthy snacks and drinks, a custom slap bracelet and the opportunity to meet world class runners from Kenya and other parts of the world!

Events will include
Timed 3K cross-country race for young runners age 9-13 (12:30 PM) and the third annual Global Footprints Youth Relay for kids age 6-10 (1:30 PM)

Sign up early – space is limited and these events will fill up!

For more information about the Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon, go to www.santafethunder.com

Global Running Culture is a 100% volunteer non-profit organization whose mission is to better the lives of youth through the powers of sport and education. GRC carries out programs in 3 communities where running remains a vital part of the local culture – Matugent, Kenya, Cusarare, Copper Canyon Mexico and northern New Mexico. For more information about Global Running Culture, please visit www.globalrunningculture.org.

GRC, Girls on the Run, the Santa Fe Striders and Wings of America present the Global Footprints Youth Runs to further our mutual goals of encouraging active lifestyles for our children.
​

Contact Details:info@santafethunder.com

Event Flier

Hosted by The Pueblo of Pojoaque at The Downs at Santa Fe and co-sponsored by the New York Road Runners Foundation, Wings was proud to provide a quality 5K and kid’s 2K the sunday after Indian Market FREE OF CHARGE. Though many registrants ultimately chose not to show up to claim their bib on race day, we are proud of the 206 competitors (173 in the 5K, 33 in the youth 2K) that showed up to run! We hope those of you that competed had a wonderful time and that you’ll join us for future Indian Market 5K’s for years to come.

Thanks once again to all the volunteers that helped register participants, mark the course, print shirts, prepare bibs, hand out shirts and monitor the course. We could not have done it without you!

Also, a huge shootout to The Pueblo of Pojoaque and the New Your Road Runners Foundation for providing the venue and funds that enabled us to put on a free family event.

Results can be found by clicking HERE

Additional Pictures can be found in our album “Indian Market 5K 2014” on our Facebook.

The scene out from under the registration tent to runners preparing for the 5K.

5K competitors battle up one of the last hills before making it to the long grass flats at the end.

Competitors in the kids 2K warm up as a group before their race.

Wings summer facilitator and 2014 Indian Market 5K winner, Andy Yazzie, trots alongside Wings summer R&F Camp participant and Kids 2K winner, Brian Madalena (age 6), as he high gears past the first kilometer mark.

Here comes the future!!

Wings founder and Board Chair congratulates the women’s 4th place overall finisher, Kathryn Becker, on a job well done.

FREE registration is now available for the annual “Indian Market 5K”. This event will celebrate another successful summer of Running & Fitness Camps and the organization’s 26th anniversary of promoting health and wellness amongst youth in Indian Country.  FREE race t-shirts will be dispersed on a first registered, first-served basis.  Quantities are limited to 192 pieces, adult and youth sizes combined.

Peep at the official 2014 Wings 5K race shirt!

We are excited to host the event at The Downs of Santa Fe for the first time. The move will give participants the opportunity to run a true cross country course complete with rolling grass hills and some quality dirt path. Perhaps even a few competitors will spike up? Expect to see hay bales on the course too!

Aside from the 5K, we will run a 2K on the in-field for our up-and-coming track stars ages 4-11. Registration includes a race t-shirt (see graphics below) and refreshments after the run.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Race registration packet pick up will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at our SWAIA booth located in the Cathedral Park (booth #8 across from the Children’s Art Tent) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  That’s not all, this year we will have a FREE BACK TO SCHOOL SHOE DISTRIBUTION for any and all American Indian Youth.  So please stop by our booth this weekend.   **Your student(s)/Child(ren) must be present to receive a pair of shoes.  Sizes and styles are limited.**

**Spikes will be permitted on the course. 1/4″ or smaller recommended.**

Parking in a dirt lot at the track is FREE. All participants will be required to walk to the center of the track to start the race via the tunnel beneath the south turn. Port-a-potties will be the only restroom facilities available. Water and post-race refreshments will be available for all registered participants.

**Day-of registration (for both the 5K and the 2K kids race) will close 30 minutes prior to the start of each race. NO EXCEPTIONS**

Awards will go to the top three finishers in each of the following categories for the 5K ONLY:

12 & under

13-18 years old

19-30 years old

31-49 years old

50+ years old

RACE DAY Schedule: Sunday, 8/24

7:00am- Day-of Registration/Packet Pick-up Opens

8:30am- Day-of Registration Closes

9:00am- 5K (All Ages/Categories)

10:00am-Kids 2K (ages 4-11)

10:30am-Awards