Welcome to the Louis Tewanima Footrace Homepage!

The Louis Tewanima Association is a non-profit grass roots organization which sponsored, for 50 years (1974-2023) , the Louis Tewanima Memorial Footrace held each year on the Hopi reservation. This race was held in honor of Louis Tewanima, the first and only Hopi Olympian to represent the United States in the 1908 and 1912 Olympic Games. He won a Silver medal and set an American record for the 10,000-meter race in the 1912 Games that stood until broken by Billy Mills in 1964. We commemorate his desire to promote the physical, health and well-being of Native American peoples.

This was a fun and challenging footrace on the Hopi Reservation. The 10K and 5K races tested your endurance and stimulated your mind and spirit. The race course consisted of flat, level trails as well as steep mesa trails with beautiful panoramic views, being cheered on by spectators as they watched from the top of the mesa. Runners experienced the thrill of completing one of the toughest races in Arizona.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We regret to inform you that the Louis Tewanima Footrace is taking an indefinite break. As we pause, we want to express our gratitude for your unwavering support over the years.

In the spirit of community and giving back, we encourage you to consider donating to the Louis Tewanima Scholarship through the Hopi Education Endowment Fund. Your contributions will help empower the next generation of leaders and athletes.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to sharing more updates with you soon!

Past Participant Comments

  • "It is by far the most memorable race I ever participated in."-WH
  • "The best run I've ever done!! so beautiful & challenging. awesome hospitality."-JM
  • "The best run anywhere. Beautiful scenery and community and a great, killer course, with everything from smooth fast singletrack to technical descents to the hard, hard climb at the end."-JT
  • "I've run a couple 1/2 marathons before but they don't compare to this 10k I accomplished here in Hopi. Running along the mesa was breathtaking, amazing, and beautiful. I literally climbed back up the mesa to the finish line. My first run out here and not my last. . . . Definitely a run to remember. Good job to all my family/friends who ran, and to new friends made, Asquali."-TT
  • "Was great!... Tough climb for me on the 10k but I'm happy I finished. I'll be back next year..."-OJ
  • "It was a great course! I enjoyed the whole experience!"-CF
  • "First time running up here. It was amazing! So much fun running up and down the Mesa. Very challenging but so worth it . . ."-KS
  • "I have so much respect for this course!! Tough tough tough!! Good times!!"-TT
  • "Great race! Breathtaking natural setting, challenging course, well-organized (races started on time!), and perhaps best of all, everyone we met was friendly and encouraging. We love this race, and will be returning next year!"-DL

Thank You!

 

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