Yakama relay teams complete journey

The tribe members covered the distance between Toppenish and Fort Walla Walla in just over 24 hours.

ALFRED DIAZ
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

Robertjim_web
ALFRED DIAZ
Yakama Nation member Robert Jim listens to the closing ceremony at Saturday’s relay. Jim, a marathon runner in his youth, has participated in all three relays since the first run in 1980, when he and 42 other runners ran in the relay to Seattle after the grand opening of the Cultural Center.
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WALLA WALLA - It took a little more than 24 hours for 93 relay runners and almost as many walkers to go from Toppenish to Fort Walla Walla in the Yakama Nation Museum & Cultural Center 30th Anniversary Treaty Relay.

And they did it ahead of schedule, noted Yakama Nation Elder Davis Washines.

"You know they always talk about Indian time, but you were three hours ahead of time. So now the new Indian time is three hours ahead of time. And I just want you to know I am proud of what you did," Washines said.

The 140-mile relay was broken down into segments of about 10 miles each, with runners taking turns within each segment, running from one to seven miles.

Among those participating was "elite runner" class Brenda Billy, who likes to train for marathons in her spare time and averages about 30 to 35 miles per week.

"To me it was important to be here for our community. I have lived in Bellevue for over 20 years, but I still feel a connection to my people, and I feel it is important to help out," Billy said.


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