Sunday Sept 13, 2020
Wayne Sekaquaptewa decided to put a spin on the charity aspect of running, using the Boston Marathon to raise funds and awareness of a local organization of his choice. A Boston Marathon qualifier, he decided to dedicate his run to his Hopi people by announcing that he would run the virtual Boston Marathon and raise money for the Hopi Education Endowment Fund. His sister Caroline loved the idea and decided to assist. Together their fundraising included hosting an online raffle of shoes, running recovery products, and other useful running related items, and a mile-by-mile pledging opportunity.
The Boston Marathon went from postponement to virtual this year. Despite these changes they stuck with their fundraising plans and decided to complete their race "out home", on the Hopi reservation. What was unique about this race was that their Taha (uncle) had always encouraged them to run the trails around their family ranch, and with his help, they finally did it. Taha's are generally tough on their nieces and nephews in an effort to keep them/us in line, and so it wasn't a surprise that the course he helped them map out was just that, tough and challenging. They completed 26.2 miles on hilly and sandy trails amongst a small group of family and friends.
After at 3:30am start, terrible navigation and hot-rodding on bumpy dirt roads I finally caught the brother and sister duo at mile 23ish and finished out the miles with them, listening to how things had gone since their 5:30 am start. Caroline had allowed individuals an opportunity to "own the mile". Asking for a minimum $10.00 pledge for a specific mile. Her miles were pledged within 24 hours and they honored each one by marking the mile in the person's name. She said as they came upon each mile and saw the name of the donor, they spent the entire mile talking about the person's good nature, strengths, and other positive impacts they had. This helped them move from mile to mile.
As they reached the finish line they saw their family. While there was no loud cheering like they normally hear when running down the final stretch of Boylston Street in Boston, there was something even greater: FAMILY. After they finished I heard this more than once from their family as they spoke to them, "I FINALLY got to see you finish a race". Their Taha had also shared some words via text with me while he trailed them on the run, "They're pretty fast! Never seen them run! Impressive!".
Being an emotional gal, I got slightly teary-eyed as their so'oh approached them and someone said out loud, "So'oh finally got to see you guys finish a Boston Marathon in person!" So'oh is a term for grandmother, and is generally the heart and soul of Hopi families. Despite the inability to feel the spirit of Boston this year, the spirit that came from the several generations of family present, was probably one of their best Boston Marathon finishes yet. The cherry on top was feasting on a post-race meal that their family collectively put together: noqkwivi (stew), piki, salads (including their so'oh's legendary potato salad), bread, and a variety of delicious pastries.
It was fun and exciting to watch this brother and sister duo stick with one another throughout their run and fundraising efforts. Their words of support for Hopi education were heard, and we thank them for that.
Wayne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering. Caroline possesses a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education, and two Masters Degrees in Early Childhood Education and Bilingual/multicultural Education. Their educational journeys have encouraged them to utilize their running to support any programs that support education for their Hopi people, such as the Hopi Education Endowment Fund.
