Photo Courtesy of Ross John Jr.
They made it! On Friday, July 19th, the Great Jim Thorpe’s Longest Run(ners) reached Ohi:yo! They began their rely at the Cattaraugus territory to the Allegany territory. First, to honor the original “Great Jim Thorpe’s Longest Run” runners on the 40th Anniversary of their feat across the country. 27 relay runners (15 women, 12 men) made it 35.5 miles in 5.5 hrs, killing it with a 9:18/mile average even in those hills!
Messengers were an essential role in our past and without them, we could not connect the communities. We had family and our communities, both Native and Non-Native, cheering us on along the route all day.
The Run is to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the original Great Jim Thorpe Run in 1984. The original 30+ Native runners began their 3,900 mile journey from New York City to Los Angeles to bring awareness and reinstate Thorpe’s 1912 Olympic gold medals.
Source: The 40th Anniversary of “the Great Jim Thorpe’s Longest Run” Facebook group. Check it out for more coverage, the history of the Run, and archival photos of the first Run!
