SANTA FE TO BUFFALO THUNDER HALF 'N' MARATHON RELAY, 5k & 1 MILE

SANTA FE TO BUFFALO THUNDER HALF ‘N’ MARATHON RELAY SEPT. 20, 2020

The Santa Fe to Buffalo Thunder Half ‘N’ Marathon Relay is more than a race; it is a destination event that celebrates a joyous activity that all cultures share, and opportunity to test their fitness and endurance at high altitude. 

The Santa Fe to Buffalo Thunder Half ‘N’ Marathon Relay will take place in northern New Mexico Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 starting at 6:30 a.m. The Ekiden Marathon Relay will start at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, pass through Tesuque Pueblo, and continue to Historic Fort Marcy in Santa Fe where it turns back to end at the starting line. An Ekiden Marathon relay uses six runners to complete the marathon distance of 42.195 km (26.218 miles). Each team member runs in the following sequence: 5km-10km-5km-10km-5km-7.2 km. The hand-off to the next runner is done by passing a sash that hangs over the runner’s shoulder.

The race will attract runners from Pueblo communities, corporate/ public services, first responders, running clubs and families from New Mexico, as well as from around the country.

Santa Fe to Buffalo Thunder Half Sept 20,2020 @ 8:00.A.M.

As in previous years, the Santa Fe to Buffalo Thunder Half Marathon course will be fast and scenic, dropping over 1,300 feet after a gradual climb for the first 2 miles. The race starts at historic Fort Marcy Park in the heart of Santa Fe.

Runners will head north on the Old Taos Highway with its spectacular views of the 13,000-foot-high Sangre de Cristo mountains to the east and the 11,000 foot Jemez Mountains to the west. The aspen trees in both ranges will be in peak fall colors. At the 3-mile mark near the Santa Fe Opera, runners will begin their descent into the Pojoaque Valley with a seemingly limitless view of northern New Mexico to entice them toward the finish line at the magnificent Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino.

Packet Pickup & World Indigenous  Festival Saturday September 19th 9AM - 4PM

Poeh Cultural Center (78 Cities of Gold Road, Pojoaque – see map). About 15 miles north of Santa Fe and just north of Buffalo Thunder (you can check out the half marathon course as you drive north – and can take the frontage roads, which are the course. Enjoy all the bridges!) Parking and entry are FREE. Our goal is to provide participants and artists the opportunity to share the passion and creativity.

The updated Santa Fe to Buffalo Thunder Half ‘N’ Marathon Relay is sure to be a well-organized, safe, fun and culturally connected event. The race will also depend on the expertise and network of Wings of America; a Santa Fe-based not-for-profit that uses the cultural, spiritual and competitive legacy of indigenous runners to empower Native American youths and their families. According to Mr. Kosgei, “Our goal is to share the beauty of Santa Fe with runners from around the country and promote social economic growth through the power of sport and sportsmanship, in conjunction with other organizations that share a common purpose.”

There will be frequent aid stations along the course with friendly volunteers and great swag bags. But what is sure to put this race at the top of every runner’s list will be the amazing vistas offered along the mostly downhill course. The inaugural Ekiden Marathon Relay concept will be one of the most beautiful races in the United States. 

The Ekiden is a relay, where a team of six runners complete together the magical marathon distance of 42.195 km. Each team member runs his own distance divided over the following distances 5km-10km-5km-10km-5km-7.2 km.

The hand over to the next runner is done by passing on the Tasuki, the sash will hang from the shoulder, diagonally across the chest, to the hip.
The result is the total accumulated time of the six runners; the marathon time.

It is therefore important that all six runners do their best to achieve the fastest possible team performance. The Santa Fe to Buffalo Thunder Half 'N' Marathon Relay will take place in northern New Mexico Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020.

The destination half 'N' Marathon Relay will start in Fort Marcy Santa Fe and will end in the Rio Grande Valley at the Pueblo of Pojoaque's Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino.

The Marathon Relay will start Buffalo Resort & Casino to Fort Marcy and end at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino.

The 5k & 1 Mile fitness walk will start at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino. The course will follow a long Towa golf course to word Butterfly trail and end at the same location.