6 minute read
Interview with Dewayne Carl
AN INTERVIEW WITH DEWAYNE CARL
What is the history of the Narbona Pass Classic race?
Narbona Pass Classic has been in my family for 40 years. This race is just as old as I am...I still can’t wrap my head around that. Hard to believe that the race has involved my family for that long. Most runs/ races usually don’t last that long. My father Chester is the founder of this event. He was the race director for most of those years, until the early 2000’s he gave the race director duties to my brother and I. We co-directed the race for about seven years, and now I am the race director. My family has always been a running family from my father to all my uncles and aunties. I continue to run and coach my daughter’s cross country and track team.
This is the 40th Running of the Narbona Pass Classic. The race has been capped at 500 participants for the 10k event. Do you know how many racers participated in the first race, and why do you think you have had so much success?
The Narbona Pass Classic race started as the Washington Pass Classic, when the Navajo Nation was successful in the name change, the race name changed as well. The Carl family organized the first race in 1979 as a 4-mile run over unimproved horse trails that had been used for centuries. A total 105 runners turned out, when the norm for races were usually about 35 runners, later the race topped 740 runners and was named as one of the top 100 10K Races in the United States by Runner’s World magazine. Realizing the potential, a new 10K course that is used today was mapped out over the blacktop, improved gravel road, former logging road and old trails.
I think the race has been successful because it’s a family event. Most of the parents around
the region have ran Narbona Pass when they were kids and now, they bring their kids to run. Running has been a big deal in my family, and I believe it is a big deal for all the families that come to run too. This race is a proving ground for the young Navajo runners to race against the best, getting ready for high school cross-country season or sometimes getting to meet college coaches at the race. For the adult runners it’s a goal most make at the beginning of the year to beat their finish time from the previous year. They run for their health, fitness, and a sense of freedom and happiness.
I watched a video of the race on YouTube and the atmosphere reminds me of the Tour de France. The sides of the roads are filled with spectators cheering on the runners. Why does this race draw these great fans?
The Navajo Nation has always had great runners. Native Americans have always had a cultural tradition of running. That is why you have families who ran this race in the past and now their kids are running. Parents want their kids to experience what they did when they were young. These are the same folks that make up Narbona Pass. They drive from as far away as Tucson and Tuba City, Arizona to run. From New Mexico it draws people around the Four Corners and as far away as Albuquerque. For many, it is exciting to watch the youth participate. It is even more exciting to watch the whole family at the starting line and later as they cross the finish line. To see their joy is fulfilling. Narbona Pass Classic serves a purpose as a family reunion every year, a great time to spend the Fourth of July weekend amongst families and friends who attend.Above all is the renewal of friends, the encouragement; the opportunities for the Navajo people to come home from far away areas to be among family.
Who started the race? Do you think that the race has become bigger than anyone has imagined?
Chester Carl is the founder of the race. He started the race as a family/community run back in 1979. I believe he didn’t realize how big the race would become, back when he first started. I remember when I was a kid, when I used to pass out water at water stops for runners, the number of runners would be 700800 per event in the late 1980s. Narbona Pass is quite an event, today the number of participants reaches 1000-1200. That is still a lot of runners, that is why I had to put a cap on the number of participants. Narbona Pass is a small picnic area, where parking is limited.
The course is brutal. You have lots of elevation gain and the event draws some incredibly talented racers. What is your most memorable moment of this race?
Yes, the course is brutal.A memorable moment is when Alvina Begay won the women’s 10k ten straight years. That was a remarkable accomplishment. There were times when she ran both the 5k and 10k and won each event. About five years ago we would run the 5k first then the 10k. So, some runners would run both events. Alvina’s father was a great runner back in the 1980s, he won the 10k five times and at one time was the men’s course record holder. To have Alvina set that 10 consecutive wins must be a great achievement for the Begay household. Alvina ran for Adams State and ASU. She is an ambassador for N7 and serves the Navajo Nation as a great role model for all the youngsters.
You get the chance to visit with the event participants. The race draws a number of accomplished runners from this area. Tell us where some of these runners come from that travel here for the race?
I really try to talk to the participants. The greatest time for conversation is when we do packet pickups. We travel to Farmington and Gallup so runners can pick up their packets or register. On race day I am too busy to talk to the runners, I may talk to a few high school coaches at the end of the events but that’s about all.
Most of the runners are from the Four Corners area, we have a large Arizona contingent present. From Tucson, Phoenix, Tuba City and the Chinle area. We get a few runners from California and Colorado. Most of the runners that come from that long distance, usually camp out the night before at the picnic ground.
This is the 40th race. What are the plans for the race? Another 40 years? Would you consider adding a second race?
Yes, this is the 40th year. This year we are giving out finishing medals to all participants. Usually, we give out trophies as awards, but this year we are doing medals. The winner in each age group for the 10k will be getting a fleece pullover.
I am hoping our kids (daughter, nephew and nieces) will take over in the future. Narbona Pass has been in my family for 40 years and I hope it remains in our family for another 40 years. I don’t think we will add another race, this race alone is very stressful. I know some participants ask for a 1/2 marathon, but that is something I don’t think I would do. The terrain is tough, the heat will play a role at that elevation. That’s some of the reasons why I would not do a 1/2 marathon. Come check out the race on July 7th!
For More Information: www.narbonapassclassic.com
