"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokees to Host Holiday 5K and Fun Run

It’s time once again to lace up your running shoes and prepare for the Cherokee National Holiday 5K run, held in conjunction with the 57th Annual Cherokee National Holiday, on Saturday, September 5, at 7:30 a.m., on the east side of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex near Tahlequah. A one mile fun run will also be offered the same morning at the same start location.

Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. the day of the run and fees are $15 if paid prior to the day of the race and $20 on race day. All Cherokee Nation WINGS Running Club members must register by Friday, August 28. All runners must sign a waiver of liability form to enter either event.

The race will be USATF certified and sanctioned and will be timed by Fleet Feet of Tulsa Racing Service. The first 350 entrants will receive a free t-shirt. Trophies will be awarded to the overall male and female finishers of the 5K Run, and first-, second- and third-place winners in each age group will receive medals.

The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. With its exciting array of entertainment, cultural and athletic events, it has grown into one of the largest festivals in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 visitors from across the world. This year’s theme is E-loh-i nu-s-di-da-nv de-ga-de-la-qua-s-ge-s-di (“I learn from all that I observe”), reflecting the Cherokee Nation’s long held belief in education as a means to uplift individuals and their communities. The 57th Annual Cherokee National Holiday is a smoke-free event.

For more information on the race or the fun run, contact Charlie Stilwell, phone: 918-458-6989 or by e-mail.