Racing to Build a Track For Others to Run

This article originally appeared on Trail Runner

Long before settlers arrived in Southern California, Indigenous tribes lived in the region. Each tribe had distinct traditions; one common practice was running and foot travel.

"Being on foot was a way of life for Southern California tribes long ago. Migrating throughout the valleys, hunting, and games kept tribal peoples healthy and in shape," said Jake Briones, a former member of the Soboba Tribal Council.

During colonization, a transformative shift occurred in the traditional modes of transportation for Native people, marking a significant departure from the age-old reliance on foot travel. This imposition changed the physical means of movement and had broader cultural and societal implications for Indigenous communities.

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"Since time immemorial, tribes all over the Indian Country traveled by foot," shared Geneva Mojado, Vice-Chair of the Soboba Tribal Council. "Whether walking or running, our endurance got us where we needed to be. Being hunters and gatherers, it was all by foot until colonization."

Now, the Soboba tribe-and many other Native communities-are consciously embracing running and endurance to combat the growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes. The lack of access to sufficient and nutritious food, coupled with limited availability of health resources, exacerbates the prevalence and impact of diabetes within Native communities.

The challenge of diabetes in Native communities is a complex systemic issue rooted in various socio-economic factors. Embracing running and endurance activities isn’t merely a band-aid solution but a proactive approach to address the issue's core.

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The Soboba Trail Race

Sheldon Subith, of Hemet, California, has been a strong advocate and trailblazer in the Southern California running circuit. Subith was the 2020 USATF Trail Marathon Champion in the masters' age group 65-69 category.

Subith, himself Armenian, was raised near the Soboba reservation and is a strong proponent of growing running among Indigenous communities in the area.

Subith and the Soboba tribe have created a new trail race to inspire younger generations and promote health and wellness among their citizens. It is part of a larger goal to fight the high rate of diabetes in the tribe and among Native Americans more broadly. He believes that exercise and nutrition education could significantly impact health outcomes--as does the research. For instance, the Special Diabetes Program for Indians has had a clear positive impact on preventing and treating diabetes in Native communities.

Many Indigenous peoples in the US are at risk for diabetes. The latest statistics find that 14.5 percent of the Native population were diagnosed with diabetes. The research is robust, highlighting the many benefits of exercise to combat diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.

By utilizing running as a fundraising tool, the goal is to create a healthy infrastructure that ensures access to healthcare and promotes safe, active lifestyles. This rounded strategy aims to tackle the root causes of diabetes by fostering an environment where health and well-being are prioritized, and systemic barriers to a healthy lifestyle are undone.

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition with elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels. Prolonged high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and organs, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other adverse effects.

The upcoming Soboba Trail Race, set to take place on the Soboba Indian Reservation, offers a 5K and a 25K race.

"The race is at the Soboba Reservation at a place called The Oaks," explained Subith. "The 25K is a loop course. It's close to 2,900 feet of gain within 15 miles. The course is on old firebreaks. There'll be an area where they run through the riverbed and a grove with citrus trees. Another part of the course goes by the hot springs. The course goes on a lot of different ridges. It's a pretty demanding course--it's not easy."

Mojado hoped the trail race would inspire others in the community and potentially positively impact tribal health and Soboba tribal initiatives.

"The upcoming trail race will hopefully inspire others to run just as I did. Our Soboba Parks and Recreation are strong advocates to keep our tribal members healthy. Maybe the race can kick off a new challenge for the people of Soboba."

"I've always been an advocate for sports and a healthy lifestyle," said Briones. "Sheldon has always been a positive influence on the community. His contributions have helped set paths for young athletes and community members."

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Improving Diabetes and Lives

Part of the race fees will return to the local school's cross-country and track programs, reflecting the commitment to nurturing the next generation of runners.

"A portion of proceeds will go back to the Noli Indian School, where I coach cross country and track programs," said Subith. "Hopefully, we can get more people out (to the race) since it's going towards a good cause."

Briones reiterates the sentiment, expressing hope that the trail run will not only benefit a good cause but also serve as a gateway for the community

"I hope the trail run opens doors and sparks interest for our young athletes, said Briones. "I know in the past, running has even opened college doors for tribal members."

Subith spoke about Native runners leveraging the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics programs as a stepping-stone to more elite programs.

"One of my goals is to establish a cross-country program at Noli. Then maybe we can get some kids to come to the school to do cross-country. What's good about cross country is you can go to any NAIA school, or you can go to NCAA Division I school. Going by time, you can be the fastest guy in NAIA. You could probably be the NCAA's top runner without going there. Because eventually, you'll meet sooner or later at national championships."

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