10K Course Record Holders
Angela Chalmers is from Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, an athlete who competed in the 1500 and 3000 meter running events. She is best known for finishing Third in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. She set the Narbona Pass Classic Women’s 10K course record in 1987 with a time of 40.50, finishing 36th Overall in the race, which still stands today. In 1986, she won the NCAA Div1 Cross Country Championships for the University of Northern Arizona. This was followed in 1987 when she finished Second place at the Pand American Games in Indianapolis. In 1990, Chalmers won two Commonwealth Games Titles in Auckland, New Zealand, winning both the 1500m and the 3000m in a World leading time of 8:38.38. Four years later, in Victoria, Canada, she failed to defend her 1500m title but did defend her 3000m title in a personal best time of 8:32.17 placing her third on the 1994 World rankings. She remains the only woman in the history of the Commonwealth Games to successfully defend the 3000m race.
Nicholas Kipruto set the Narbona Pass Classic Men’s 10K course record in 2009, a 2005 graduate of Chemelil Sugar Academy, Kenya. Nicholas previously attended Dine College, Nicholas was the men's individual Champion with a time of 25:14.7. Dine College swept 2008 USCAA Cross Country Championships in Buena Vista, VA. This past year, during the NCAA Track and Field Championship in Des Moines, Iowa, Kipruto finished in 11th in the 5000 meters. His personal best time in 1500 meters is 3:47.98 and 5000 meter time of 13:41.90.
Race Results
Begay, Thomas garner top honors at Narbona Pass Classic
By Oree Foster
Gallup Independent Sports Writer
NARBONA PASS, N.M. - Alvina Begay says she loves to compete in the challenging Narbona Pass Classic because the grueling race has family history.
"When I was young I used to watch my father, Alvin Begay, race," Begay said. "My father won the 10K race a lot of times. When I got older, I began racing here. I ran so many times here and the course remains tough. Narbona Pass Classic gave me a start on my running career. Narbona Pass Classic got me where I am today.
Begay, a Navajo Olympic Games marathon hopeful, nailed down her 10th straight 10K female championship. Begay crossed the finish line in 43:06, finishing sixth overall among 258 runners.
"I have been training in Flagstaff," said Begay, who competed in the 2008 Olympic marathon trials. "My training is starting to pick up. My training will be intense and I am putting in more mileage. I ran in some races this past spring and raced well."
Race director C.J. Carl said the course was in great shape.
"We got excellent response and the entries was up this year," Carl said. "This year we tried online entries and we got 57 to register online. Our pre-entries went well as well. Runners from Pasadena, (Calif.), Lawrence, (Kan.) and Virginia competed. We had seven runners who competed in both the 5K and 10K races."
Carl said 345 runners competed in the 5K and 258 participated in the 10K. An additional 74 were in the fitness walk and 48 registered in the 6-and-under kids race.
Jackson Thomas, a 17-year-old Navajo senior at Del Norte High School in Albuquerque, was the overall 10K champion. Thomas, formerly of Naschitti, was clocked in 39:43.
"This was first time running here," Thomas said. "I've heard about how tough and challenging the course is. Everybody I talked to is right. I walked the course twice. The toughest part of the race was Goat Hill."
Thomas was in third place with two miles remaining in the race. Thomas made his move, racing past Johnathan Yazzie, of Chinle, and Juwan Nuvayokva, of Hopi, as he secured the victory.
"As the three of us hit the pavement, I past the two runners," Thomas said. "It was nice to see the finish line. I was tired and it was relief to finish."
Yazzie, 10K runner-up, was clocked in 40:02. Nuvayokva claimed third place, touring the course in 40:14. Searle Tracy posted a 42:22 for fourth place. Alvin Begay II rounded out the top five with a 42:50 showing.
Eugene Hogue was clocked in 43:17 for sixth place, followed by Wilburt Barton with a 43:47 for seventh place. Eighth place went to McToliver Eriacho, who posted a 43:50. DeRay Chatter settled for ninth place with a 44:17. Dwight Carlston rounded out the top 10, turning in a 44:34.
Female 10K champion Begay was well ahead of runner-up Rolondo Jumbo, three-time Arizona Class 3A cross-country state champion. Jumbo was clocked in 46:08.
Begay said she is leaving for France this week to practice at high altitude. After one month of training in France, Begay said she will train in Portland, (Oregon) at the Nike complex. Begay has qualified for the 2012 Olympic marathon trials, which is scheduled for January in Houston. The top three finishers make the Olympic team.
Derianne Yazzie claimed third place with a 52:28 in the 10K. Julie Dunston completed the race in 52:50 for fourth place. 13-year-old Daangoiina Haven finished fifth place, posting a 53:54.
"This is my first time running here," Haven said. "It was very tough. The toughest part of the race was Goat Hill. All the hills were tough."
Felicia James turned in a 53:13 for sixth place. Anjelica Badonie was clocked in 55:59, claiming seventh place. Vanessa Chicharello toured the course in 56:37 for eighth place. Nineth place went to Shaniya Smith with a 56:45. Shelby Jim rounded out the top 10 with a 57:17.
Esther Beck, an 11-year-old sixth grader at Hoover Middle School in Albuquerque, was the the 5K female champion. Beck, who finished 15th overall, was clocked in 24:23.
"The hills and the sand were tough," Beck said. "I took the lead up the last hill. I pulled away. It was a good feeling to finish the race."
Beck qualified for next week regional USA Track & Field Junior Olympics in Albuquerque. She plans to compete in the 1500 and 3000 meters. She hopes to qualify for the national meet in Wichita, Kan., on July 28-30. Her siblings, Kayla and Miles will also compete in the regionals.
Chelena Betoney, defending champion, finished second, touring the course in 24:59. Angie Kiyite was third with a 25:42 showing. Nannah Antone was clocked in 26:46 for fourth place. Naomi Yazzie was timed in 26:52 for fifth place.
Chenoa Simpson turned in a 27:04 for sixth place. Seventh place went to Albertina Salabye with a 27:59. Crystal Morgan was eighth with a 28:03. Cynthia Chavez garnered ninth place, clocking 29:00. Lori Todacheene rounded out the top 10 with a 29:04.
Aaron Biah was the male 5K champion, touring the course in 20:43. Theodore Claw was second with a 21:34. Derek Henio turned in a 22:01 for third place. Kyle Silversmith claimed fourth place, clocking a 22:11. David J. Wauneka was fifth place with a 22:29 showing.
Elroy Tso's 22:29 was good enough for sixth place. Seventh place went to Tyrell Henio, who was clocked in 22:31. David Schoenwald finished eighth with a 22:49 time. Aaron Ben posted a 23:18 for ninth place. Shelby Hood rounded out the top 10 with a 23;26.