Santa Barbara News-Press
Santa Barbara, California
Sunday, April 13, 1986
Marathon to focus attention on Navajo relocation plan
A 7,000 mile, round-the-clock marathon to promote
world peace and call attention to the federal government’s
planned relocation of Navajo Indians at Big Mountain in
Arizona will leave from the dolphin fountain at the foot
of Stearns Wharf at noon on April 28.
The marathon called the “Great Spirit All My Relations Relay,”
is being organized by the Mesa School, 2520 Mesa School Lane,
in Santa Barbara, said spokesman David C. Williams, Jr.
A celebration to generate interest in the relay will be
held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Isla Vista Park.
So far, Williams said, about a dozen Santa Barbara residents
have agreed to run in the marathon, which will be led by
Masao Nippashi, a Japanese-American peace worker.
If 12 more people joined the group, each participant would
run one hour per day, he said. Those not running will walk
or ride, and serve as “advance” personnel in communities
along the route.
The effort is supported by donations, and the runners are
using their own money to cover some expenses, Williams said.
The group will travel east to New York before backtracking
to Big Mountain. Williams said the relay is timed to coincide
with several events, including a peace gathering at Central Park
in New York City on May 25 and an Indian sun dance ceremony
at Big Mountain July 4-7.
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