Sheldon Subith is realizing his dreams of bringing more Native runners to trail running. Subith, an Armenian raised near the Soboba Indian reservation in San Jacinto, CA, is an accomplished masters’ trail runner, cross country coach at the Noli Indian School (also located in San Jacinto, CA), and recently founded the Native American Trail Running Organization (NATRO) with support from a group of Native race directors.
In 2021, I chatted with Subith when NATRO was still only an idea (read our article here). Now, NATRO is hosting its first sponsored event, the NATRO@Soboba Trail races in La Jacinta, CA, on February 24, 2024, which aims to increase Native participation in trail running races. The event will host both 25 and 5-kilometer distances with Open and Native divisions. A portion of race proceeds will go to the Noli Indian School Cross Country and Track programs.
In the following article, I reconnect with Subith to discuss this inaugural event, the future of NATRO, and why it’s important to include Native populations in trail running.
Sheldon Subith is an accomplished masters’ trail runner, cross country coach at the Noli Indian School, and recently founded the NATRO with support from a group of Native race directors.
[TAYTE POLLMANN] What has the experience been like of leading NATRO and has it been what you expected so far?
[SHELDON SUBITH] NATRO was just an idea until your article was published in 2021. The exposure was very positive. The experience has been a little more than expected due to the time it has taken to actually have the inaugural NATRO Trail Race on the Soboba Indian Reservation. Soboba has been very receptive. The race was originally planned for November 18, 2023, but the COVID caught me, so I had to postpone it to February 24, 2024. This has been a dream of mine for some time.
[TAYTE] You introduced event director Keira Henninger to Cahuilla Tribal members so she could host races on tribal lands. How important is building bridges and connections between Native populations and existing race directors?
[SHELDON] It is very important to build these connections so the Native populations can have a healthy lifestyle through trail running in their own backyards. I believe making connections with race directors that have the tribe themselves in their heart should be paramount before anything else and they have respect for the tribe and their land. Plus, they can introduce the outside trail running community in a good and respectful way. Tribal Lands are unique.
[TAYTE] What are the main differences between organizing races on tribal lands versus not on tribal lands?
[SHELDON] The most significant difference is fees. Working with Tribal Councils vs state, county, and federal entities is not as complicated. You are not as restricted.
[TAYTE] What are some of NATRO’s main goals this year?
[SHELDON] The main goal is to have a productive inaugural NATRO Trail Race first then build a following amongst other tribes through Social Media (Strava/Facebook) and get other tribes involved in hosting events. The future goal is to have a Native American Trail Running National Championship. There are quite a few Native race directors now and a lot of Native trail runners. The more of both would double the cause.
[TAYTE] What is the history behind the NATRO@Sobaba race? Can we expect more events like this in the future?
[SHELDON] The inaugural NATRO@SOBOBA Trail Race is the beginning of its own history. Actually the first Soboba Trail Race was in 2015 being a 5k and 10k then later adding a 25k and 50k. It was run through Soboba Parks and Recreation when I was the Director there. It continued for a few years.
Yes, please expect more events in the future as long as I am breathing.
[TAYTE] Why is trail running a great activity for Native youth populations?
[SHELDON] Trail running for Native youth is a positive activity for them to feel good about themselves in a positive healthy way. Trail running builds discipline and character which they can use throughout their life no matter the endeavor.
I am a cross country coach at Noli Indian School and Ed Tech. and I will always be involved working with Native Youth for as I said in the above question, “as long as I am breathing.”
Sheldon Subith with members of the Noli Indian School cross country runners team.
[TAYTE] What advice would you have for Native people seeking to put on their first trail races? What advice would you have for first time trail runners?
[SHELDON] Be prepared, organized, advertise, seek volunteers and get your tribe involved. Basically, putting your heart into it knowing what you are doing is a good thing.
For first time runners, know that your first race will not be your last race. Running is lifelong no matter the pace. Keep moving, don’t be that boulder with moss on its back.
[TAYTE] Trail running is an ancient practice in many Native tribes. Could you explain the cultural significance of trail running for Native peoples?
[SHELDON] I, not being Native, can’t answer that question. However, I do know that running is a sacred form of prayer for many tribes. I feel privileged to be able to be a part of that by directing and facilitating trail races on tribal land.
[TAYTE] Have you had any role native models in your running/coaching career?
[SHELDON] My role models I would say are Billy Mills and Jim Thorpe. One person that comes to mind for athletics in general for the tribe would be former Tribal Chairman Bobby Salgado.
[TAYTE] Anything else we missed that we should cover?
[SHELDON] Yes, please follow NATRO-Native American Trail Running Organization on Facebook and Strava. Register for the NATRO@SOBOBA Trail Races on the SOBOBA INDIAN REZ February 24, 2024.
All the photos used here have been generously provided by Sheldon Subith.
