Surprise 'Yeego!' race pushes runners to 'try harder'

Debra Utacia Kroll, marketing communications manager for Heard Museum, submitted this information.

"Yéego!" with Heard Museum West during the Second Annual Run West With the Heard: Yéego! wellness race. Yéego, which means "try harder!" in Navajo, is a race, walk and kids' fun on Saturday at Heard Museum West in Surprise. Race-day registration starts at 7 a.m., and the first race will begin at 8:30 a.m. The event includes a 10K run, 5K run/walk, a 1-mile fun walk and a kids' 100-yard dash. Categories for the 10K run are grouped by age, from 10 up to age 75 and older. The run is presented by Arrowhead Lexus.

Kate Cox, director of operations at Heard Museum West, said that the event was created to raise awareness about the importance of health and wellness in West Valley communities.

"We also want to raise awareness of the epidemic of type 2 diabetes, especially in the American Indian population," Cox said. "Holding the race right before the busy holiday season also should draw attention to diet and nutrition."

American Indian runners are expected to be on hand for the start of the various races. This year's front-runner is Antonius "Tony" Chee, Navajo, a student at Glendale Community College and a member of its cross-country team. Chee, 19, has racked up racing awards and regularly runs 5K, 10K and half-marathons. A 2007 Deer Valley High School graduate, Chee plans to be a massage and physical therapist.

The race is also Heard Museum West's only fundraiser and helps fund children's education programming.

Entry fees are: $20 until the day before the race, $30 race day, and "sleep-in" entry $20 (participants receive a T-shirt and goody bag but don't have to run). Runners who opt for the sleep-in can consider their entry fee as a donation to HMW's children's education programs. Kids' dash for ages 2-8 is free. A new feature is the family pre-registration rate of $40, the fee covering two adults and two children over the age of 9.

Info: 623-344-2200.