A few weeks ago our Program Director got a call from Laurel Morales, a reporter for FRONTERAS- The Changing America Desk. Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, this Flagstaff-based bureau regularly produces radio spots for National Public Radio on the people and issues of the American Southwest. On this particular day, Laurel was looking for information about “THE” Native American running tradition.

After offering her some comments of his own, Dustin directed her to some Wings’ alums that have become “experts” in recent months. Thanks to Alvina Begay and Shaun Martin, Laurel was able to produce this great story: “Navajo Running Tradition Catalyst for Change”

Visit the Fronteras website (click the article title above) to listen to the radio spot and watch a short video of Alvina strutting her stuff.

Check out Arizona News12’s recent story on Hopi High’s running tradition- WINNING. Great to see these young runners proudly repping their school- but more importantly- their people and culture. Wings is honored to have two Hopi High girls on this years National Team.

Link to video: HERE

Also, if you’re interested in learning more about Hopi running traditions and events from a Hopi blogger, check out “Beyond the Mesas” HERE.

On the way to the 2010 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Mike and Dave had an idea: what if they could help runners give back not solely through charitable races, but during each and every run? By the time the track meet ended, Janji had been born.

Mike and Dave realized that by producing high performance running apparel with a distinct look, Janji could raise awareness and fund relief for the global food and water crisis—one that kills 1 child every 6 seconds and affects nearly 2 billion people worldwide.

They knew that runners–including themselves–often take for granted the food and water needed to run. Not everyone is so lucky. Now by simply wearing Janji’s running apparel, people can help provide food and water to those in need.

Janji is the Malaysian word for “promise.” Janji’s promise—made by Mike and Dave on that bus ride—is to combat the food and water crisis through the power of running.

Periodically Janji likes to post information about groups/organizations that vibe with their mission. Thanks to Mike for reaching out to Wings program director, Dustin Martin to learn a little more about how we #takeflight. Click HERE for the full interview on the Janji’s site and learn a little more about the good work the company does.

After months of hard work and a national recruitment effort, the 2013 Wings National Team has finally been selected! Fourteen (14) outstanding student-athletes from across Native America were chosen from a viciously competetive pool of 67 applicants. At the end of the day, it was these athletes’ focus and tenacity on championship-season race day that earned them their spot. Though it was very difficult for us in the Wings office to notify a number of former Wings National Team members that we could not offer them a spot again this year, we are excited to begin working with this year’s group of champions. We know it is stressful for our National Team applicants to come to terms with the fact that their selection rests on ONE race at the end of the season. That being said, we are confident that this format of selection process is the fairest criteria we can stand behind. Fortunately the finish line never lies.

Congratulations to those that have been selected, their families and friends. Though no one can do a runner’s work but him or herself, it truly takes a community to foster a champion. Wings looks forward to helping foster the talents of the 2013 team members through the winter until February 2, 2013 when they compete in Forest Park, St. Louis at the USATF Cross Country Championships.

Please visit the 2013 National Team page HERE for a full list of selected student-athletes, offer your congratulatory comments/feedback and learn more about this year’s selection process and the generous donors that made it all possible. On this page you may also download the full spreadsheet of those athletes that ran a qualifying time if you would like to compare results.

With little less than 24 hours before the start of a series of grueling races, North Face Endurance Challenge race organizers called an unusual audible to ensure the safety of their competitors- they changed the course. As a result, the “50 mile championship” became a 46-mile slopfest run over two figure-eight loops woven through The Marin Headlands just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Despite many competitors getting disoriented and running off course, former Wings program director Shaun Martin managed to finish 10th with a time of 6:07:17 (yes, that’s SIX HOURS!). Though rumor has it that he may be promoted to 8th place because of post-race disqualifications, he can rest assured that his Wings family is immeasurably proud of him no matter what.

Part of the reason Shaun stepped down from his position at Wings in 2011 was to pursue THIS dream. Huge congratulations are in order for following your heart.

For more detailed race coverage, please visit iRunFar.com HERE.

And in case you haven’t already seen it, click HERE to read Outside magazine’s recent feature on our hero: “Running Down a Dream”.

And in case you haven’t had enough, watch the video produced by Outside below.