Monument Valley Marathon

2015 Monument Valley
Marathon and Half0-0park-1

Saturday, December 12, 2015  beginning at 10 a.m

MONUMENT VALLEY – Winter time paradise.
When Mother Nature segues from summer to winter, it is a time for unparalleled
extravaganza for people who enjoy life on the mild side.

And for serious outdoor winter enthusiasts, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is
definitely the place to be.
No matter what kind of blanket Mother Nature covers the valley of fiery red rock
formations here in December, Monument Navajo Tribal Park will ablaze with excitement.

Yawning canyon walls will awaken as runners from throughout the world will gather for
the very first time to participate in a marathon, half marathon and relay here on the northern outskirts of the Navajo Nation on Saturday, December 12th beginning at 10 a.m. Runners will be able to see one of the world’s finest natural master pieces as they immerse themselves in the
tranquil and rustic charm of Navajoland.

Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department Manager Martin L. Begaye, explained,
“We are very excited to bring a new event to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park in
December. We are very fortunate to attract many worldwide visitors to our parks between the
spring and fall months; however, it has always been a challenge to attract tourists to our parks
during the winter months.”

After months of planning with various different entities, Begaye said the Department is
pleased to announce running as a new venue for outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

“Many of our visitors enjoy taking photos of our tribal parks, but there are more and
more visitors who want to experience our parks by venturing in some sort of outdoor activity,”
Begaye stated. “We want to enrich their memories of the Navajo Nation and let them know that
we are a year-round tourism destination.”

The inaugural event will include a marathon, half marathon and relay. According to Tom
Riggenbach who is the CEO of Navajoyes.org and marathon organizer, the marathon and half
marathon will be competitive while the relay will be non-competitive and have few strict
guidelines. The course will be dirt road, which includes a 400-foot climb in the final couple of
miles of the race.

Riggenbach stated, “I know of many runners from afar who are willing to participate in
this place of timeless beauty. There is truly a sense of peace and calm when you run on the
Navajo Nation. There are many runners who are looking forward to this much anticipated
event.”

The marathon event was the brainchild of Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez who is
an avid runner and a strong advocate of living healthy.

“Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and I want our people to live long healthy lives
and one way of achieving that goal is through physical exercise such as running. Not only do we
want more visitors to embrace our unique Navajo culture and our land of enchantment, but we
also want our own Navajo people to visit our tribal parks. The marathons provide a great
opportunity for the Navajo people and our visitors to see our beautiful parks.”

Avid runners Nez and Riggenbach both echoed that many runners serve as an inspiration
to others and every runner is a winner.
The coveted event is a collaborated effort between the Navajo Nation Parks andRecreation Department, the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President, the Navajo Nation Division of Health, and Navajoyes.org, which is an entity that promotes healthy living for the youth.

The Annual Monument Valley December event will also include hot air balloons that will
grace the crisp blue skies on December 11-13

The balloon launches will be held from 7 a.m. to
9 a.m. with evening glows at the Monument Valley Welcome Center on December 11 and in Kayenta on December 12th.

For more information about how to register for the marathon, contact Riggenbach at
www.navajoyes.org or chuskaman@yahoo.com. He can also be reached at (928) 429-0345.

To Register click Here

Individuals who want to obtain information about the hot air balloon event can contact
the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department at (928) 871-6647 or via their website at
www.navajonationparks.org

Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources Administration P.O. Box 9000 Window Rock, Arizona 86515 (928) 871-6592 & 6593 dnrpr@navajo-nsn.gov

 

Navajo Shoe Game Featured at Balloon Event

Navajo Shoe Game Featured at the  Third Annual Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon Event

Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon Event Navajo Shoe Game

Winter on the Navajo Nation is a time when healing through laughter begins.
In fact, it is also a time to listen and learn about the emergence of the Navajo people. Winter is when many traditional oral Navajo stories are told that embody the spirit and wisdom of various animals and birds. According to traditional Navajo elders, animals and birds played a very significant role in early Navajo history and still do today.
It is said that animals such as the coyote, bear and owl were put upon Mother Earth to educate, heal and provide guidance for the Navajo people. Navajo legend says that in early Navajo history, animals and birds communicated with each other.

And virtually every animal and bird has a purpose and role in traditional Navajo culture.
Traditional Navajo elders note that similar to human beings, the animals and birds in early Navajo history began to disagree with each other. One point of discussion was whether or not it should always be day or night. Hence, the animals and birds decided to play a game to determine which it would be. It is said that neither the day or night creatures won; therefore, we now have day and night.
Today, that game is still played during the winter season and is it called a traditional Navajo shoe game, which continues to have lot of spiritual significance. In fact, many of the Navajo shoe game songs that are sung today are the same songs that specific animals and birds sung during the original shoe game that was first held in the beginning of time.
Depending on what part of the reservation it is held, each Navajo shoe game may differ. However, laughter is a central part of all Navajo shoe games. Moreover, there are various traditional Navajo stories that talk about humor and how it helps to heal the sick.
The Navajo shoe game was initially called a moccasin game and held in conjunction with a specific ceremony such as a five-day Evil Way Ceremony. Over time, it has slowly changed through the years. Case in point, most people today use cowboy boots or shoes in place of moccasins. What continues is the use of a yucca ball and 102 yucca stems.
Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department Director Martin L. Begaye said, “We’re very excited that a traditional Navajo shoe game will be added to the Third Annual Monument Valley Balloon Event. This is a traditional Navajo social game that is very popular among the Navajo people especially our Navajo elders. It is very important that the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department work closely with the Navajo people and receive their support and participation on such activities as this great annual event.”
The Third Annual Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Hot Air Balloon Event will be held on January 11-13, 2013 at Monument Valley.
Begay added, “This is the only hot air balloon event in the world that will include a traditional Navajo shoe game. The event will have a little bit of everything for people of all ages.”
Other events that are being held in conjunction with the annual hot air balloon event is an art and writing contest for the youth and an array of prizes that will be awarded. The deadline for the writing and art contest is December 14, 2013. The annual event will also feature 20 hot air balloon pilots from throughout the country and a hot air balloon night glow.
You can obtain additional information at www.navajonationparks.org

Media Contact: Roberta John
Senior Economic Development Specialist
Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department
(928) 871-6647
Email: bobbie@navajonationparks.org
Navajo People Website Links:
Navajo CultureNavajo HistoryNavajo ArtNavajo Clothing Navajo PicturesNavajo RugsNavajo LanguageNavajo JewelryNavajo Code TalkerNavajo PotteryNavajo LegendsHogan’sSand PaintingNavajo Food Navajo NewsNavajo Nation

Navajo Young Creative Writers Contest

Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon Event Seeking Young Creative Writers

Three young students on the Navajo Nation will have a very blessed early Christmas.

That’s because three students between first grade and 12th grade will be the lucky recipient of a mini iPad or iPad.

Navajo Young Creative Writers Contest

There will be three winning categories: 1-4th; 5-8th and 9-12th.

Additionally, there will also be a cash award of $50 for second place winners in each category and $25 for third place in each category.
Due to its overwhelming popularity, an essay contest will be held in conjunction with the Third Annual Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon Event, which will be held on January 11-13, 2013 in Monument Valley.
Patricia Seltzer, principal of Monument Valley High School and coordinator of the essay contest, said although the deadline for the essay entries is December 14th, she is confident she will receive a lot of entries.
“Creative writing is challenging yet rewarding,” Seltzer said. “This essay contest is a great way to learn how to express your thoughts through words and it can also help to develop your vocabulary, which is essential in college and beyond.”
She noted that the essays should focus on the theme “Soaring and Exploring Monument Valley,” which is the theme for the Third Annual Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon.
Martin L. Begaye, Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department director, said, “We are very pleased to hear there will be another essay contest this year along with the Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon Event. This is a great way to get the youth excited about our wonderful Navajo parks and monuments. The annual hot air balloon event cannot be successful unless we have support from the Navajo people and this is one way to get our people involved and excited about this great annual event on the Navajo Nation.”
Seltzer said stories can range between 200 to 1,000 words and poems should be 12 to 20 lines long. High school and middle school entries must be typed or word -processed while elementary aged students may be neatly hand written or typed.
All contestants must register for the contest by entering their name, email, age, name of school, teacher and mailing address, and agree to the terms and conditions of the contest. The deadline for submission is December 14, 2012.

Contest entry forms can be obtained on www.navajonationparks.org

For additional information, contact Seltzer at pseltzer@sjsd.org or (435) 678-1258.

Media Contact: Roberta John
Senior Economic Development Specialist
Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation
(928) 871-6647
Email: bobbie@navajonationparks.org

Navajo People Website Links:
Navajo Culture – Navajo History – Navajo Art – Navajo Clothing Navajo Pictures – Navajo Rugs – Navajo Language– Navajo Jewelry – Navajo Code Talker – Navajo Pottery – Navajo Legends – Hogan’s – Sand Painting – Navajo Food – Navajo News – Navajo Nation

 

 

 

 

Art Contest for Young Navajo Artists

Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon to Feature 

Art Contest for Young Navajo Artists

WINDOW ROCK, AZ –  Several talented young girls and boys on the Navajo Nation will be the recipient of $500 in mid-December.

Art Contest for Young Navajo Artists

Kindergarten through six grade students are encouraged to enter their artwork that will help celebrate the Third Annual Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon on January 11-13, 2013 at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.  The theme for the third annual event is “Soar and Explore Monument Valley Sky.”

Artsco – the owner of The View Hotel in Monument Valley – will award $500 for a poster contest winner, $500 for a grand prize winner, and $500 for another category called the Sponsor’s Choice.   Additionally, Artsco will also present $100 for first place; $50 for second place; and $25 for third place winners in each grade level – Kindergarten through 12th grade.

More than 60 students from throughout the Navajo Nation entered the Second Annual Hot Air Balloon event when it was held earlier this year.  Armanda Ortega, owner of Artsco, said due to its overwhelming success, they decided to sponsor another art contest in conjunction with the Third Annual Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon Event in January 2013.

Ortega said, “We are strongly encouraging students from throughout the Navajo Nation to enter their artwork to help promote the hot air balloon event at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.  We know there are many talented young Navajo youth.  We are honored to help support and promote Navajo youth because they are going to be our future leaders.”

Artwork can be sent to the attention of Lena Black at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, P.O. Box 360289, Monument Valley, Utah  84536 or can be delivered in person to the park office in Monument  Valley.  For additional information about entry forms, artwork guidelines or other questions, contact Ms. Black at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park at (435) 727-5870 or 5878 -Fax number  (435) 727-5875.  The deadline for entries is December 14, 2012.  Awards will be presented on December 19th at The View Hotel.

The art contest entry form and guidelines can also be obtained at www.navajonationparks.org

Contact: Roberta John
Senior Economic Development Specialist
Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation
(928) 871-6647
Email: bobbie@navajonationparks.org