The Native American Trail Running Organization (NATRO) hosted its annual run at The Oaks on the Soboba Reservation, April 18. Runners participated in a marathon, half-marathon, 5K and Kids 3K trail races that stepped off at 7:30 a.m. There were Native and Open divisions.
The races started and finished at the football stadium field with Lambert Timmermans of Negative Split Running tracking times for the competitors. All results can be found at https://negativesplit.io. As a lifelong runner himself, along with his Hungarian Vizsla Zoe, Timmermans said what makes this NATRO event so attractive is that people who don’t live at Soboba can’t run the trails. “Being invited to come onto this land is a special treat,” he said.
NATRO was founded by Sheldon Subith to promote wellness and cultural connection through trail running. It aims to increase Native participation in trail running, often in collaboration with local tribes and organizations like Noli Indian School where Subith oversees the cross-country track team and an afterschool running club. His goal is to foster positive physical and mental health for Indigenous peoples.
“I tell the students that all their time spent running at school is training them for this annual event,” he said jokingly.
Several members of the Pechanga Band of Indians provided an opening blessing and Nukwáanish songs for 40-plus runners and their supportive friends and family members. Andy Masiel Jr. thanked Soboba Tribal Council, Noli Indian School and Subith for making this event possible.
“If you know Sheldon, it will be a tough race,” he said. “Running is a big part of our history with a lot of our ceremonies embedded with running. We want to send everyone out with a good mindset. Running on Native land you will have that relationship with the land.”
Chayo Arellano offered an explanation of one of the Nukwáanish songs after saying they were honored and thankful to be asked to be there. He shared that at the time of Creation, the world started transitioning and one of the first things people did was run and race each other, exploring their new strengths.
“As we run and enjoy our day, realize this is something that’s been going on since the very beginning,” he said.
Subith explained the course markings for each group and the route they would take, including through the canyon and down by the riverbed. Half marathon runner Nic Baldwin came from across the pond to enter the race. He traveled from the UK to attend the second weekend of the Coachella Music Festival but was looking for something to do before it began at 1 p.m. After just two hours of running time, he crossed the finish line with plenty of energy to spare. Baldwin, 42, said he normally does longer distances of 50K, considered to be a popular ultramarathon distance that is usually held on trails. “But this was quite special,” he said.
Just 15 minutes behind Baldwin was Native runner Joseph Sahagun, from the central valley’s Tule River Indian Tribe of California. This was his third year running in the half marathon. “I love it, it’s not only a good run but it challenges your drive and is good for your mental health,” he said. “I love the scenery of the mountains and the trees. When you get in the zone you appreciate the views, it’s all you see for hours.” The U.S. Army veteran completed a marathon in San Jose in December and said he likes to stay fit and active by running.
Soboba’s Mica Diaz last ran the NATRO race in 2024 and felt this year was a little more challenging, especially the hills. “I run here all the time for training, but this is the only race I do,” she said. Diaz was the first Native woman to complete the 5K race, at 37 minutes, 43 seconds.
Shawn Masiel said he runs the hills often and enjoyed being part of a good group to run with on this day.
Shakoora Kabeer was on the sidelines with her youngest children cheering on family members who were taking part in the races to support Sheldon and NATRO. She has two children who attend Soboba Tribal Preschool and one of them ran in the 3K, which began about 30 minutes after the first group of runners started.
“I bring my kids up here to run,” she said. “We usually come up during the school week to get some energy out.”
When Kabeer’s mother, Baseemah Salgado, completed the 5K she said it was intense. “Sheldon is known to put a lot of thought into planning the course,” Salgado said.
Subith said it took about 11 hours to prep the course; five hours to walk it and mark it and six hours to chalk intersections and post directional signs and colored ribbons.
Brad Brunner of Menifee placed second in the 5K Overall category, his first race in more than a year. “I loved it here,” he said. “This was the hardest race I’ve run, and I’ve been running 5Ks for 55 years. It sure felt good to come across the finish line.”
Encouraging him and documenting his run on her cell phone was girlfriend Fay Bancroft. The couple met exactly one year ago at church. Although he retired two years ago, Brunner said he stays fit by going to the gym to lift weights and using a StairMaster at home. He is a born-again Christian, who said, “My faith in Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my life.”
Noli Indian School Booster Club members and teachers were on hand to help with refreshments and high fives as runners finished the race and received participation medals. Noli Principal and Soboba Tribal member Donovan Post chose to walk the 5K. “I don’t need the tee shirt or medal; I just like being out there and getting my 10,000 steps in,” he said.
Some of the proceeds from the race will benefit the Culture department as well as the running club at Noli. Subith was grateful for all the sponsors that stepped up to support this year’s race.
More than 10 volunteers from Soboba’s Department of Public Safety and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department were posted at water stations out on the course. Soboba Fire Explorers members helped where needed.
Four marathoners included Rachel Metzger, whose sister Chelsea Gonzalez ran the half marathon. Their children participated in the 3k and the 5k races, all doing extremely well.
With the sounds of bird calls overhead and wind whistling through the trees, runners had a lot to enjoy as they made their way along the trail. Aside from all runners receiving a participation medal, the top three finishers in each division received an extra one to commemorate their success.
The 5K category saw three young Native boys in a very close race. Jose Leon was first at 29 minutes, 39 seconds; Ezekiel Gonzalez was second at 29 minutes, 44 seconds; and Ben Metzger came in third at 29 minutes, 45 seconds.
“The NATRO race gets better every year,” Subith said. “This year we got more community involvement, which is the main thing.”
