For the 19th year, sacred runners are traveling 200 miles in two days from the San Carlos Apache Reservation to the top of Mount Graham carrying prayers to a site they consider sacred.
The four-day event began on Wednesday with a sweat lodge and a blessing for the 130 runners at Point of Pines on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. After a Thursday morning blessing, the runners made the first leg of their journey, traveling 70 miles to the Old San Carlos Monument where a "holy ground ceremony" was conducted.
Today, after a 4 a.m. blessing, the runners set off to on the last 120 miles to the top of Mount Graham - known to the Apache as Dzil Nchaa Sian. When the run is completed, a staff will be placed atop the mountain.
Events will continue on Saturday with a holy water ceremony and a memorial for runners from previous years who have died. The run and ceremonies are open to anyone.
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The event began nearly two decades ago as a response to the University of Arizona building the Mount Graham International Observatory. The Apache consider the mountain, 100 miles northeast of Tucson, holy and the construction a desecration of the sacred site.
"We cannot let the reservation boundary lines confine us. Those days are over," said Tribal Chairman Wendsler Nosie Sr. "We should have the right to be a part of protecting what … is left of the natural resources. We have to be a part of those discussions."
The run also is a way to instill ancient traditions in Apache youth navigating through modern society.
"A lot of these runners today were young children when they first ran and now, today, they're adults and they are bringing their children with them. It's really beautiful. After 19 years you see the … younger generation are returning to what the generation before them knew," Noise said. "I really get emotional when I see these runners bringing their children."
Contact reporter Kimberly Matas at kmatas@azstarnet.com or at 573-4191.
