Runners

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE 2007 RUN

Posted: September 26, 2007

Runners Invited To Participate in "Calling Back the Salmon" Event

Members of supporting organizations and the general public are invited to accompany the spirit salmon's journey from Park's Bar to Englebright Reservoir. The total distance is 7.5 miles, primarily uphill.

Volunteer runners will be classified into two distinct categories:
1) Spirit Runners and 2) Support Runners.

Spirit Runners will be permitted to touch the salmon and will physically carry the salmon (in a special basket that is being constructed for this purpose), which may weigh as much as 25 pounds. All Spirit Runners must adhere to strict criteria established by the Tsi-Akim Maidu in preparation of the run. In preparation for the run, Spirit Runner must "fast" for 48 hours. From 7 am on Thursday, October 5th through the end of the run, Spirit Runners shall not consume any salt, grease, meat, alcohol, drugs, or have sexual activity. Tradition dictates that women on their moon cycle are also not permitted to come into physical contact with the spirit salmon. All Spirit Runners must also participate in the ablutions at the Sunrise Ceremony, to be conducted at approximately 7am beneath the Hwy 20-Parks Bar Bridge (south side of the lower Yuba River). Spirit Runners must pre-register for the run by 5pm Wednesday, October 4th (see registration below).

There will be a purification ceremony held on the morning of Friday October 4th, where those fasting for the ceremony are invited to attend.The purification ceremony will take place at 10 am, fire will get started around 8am. If you would like to participate and need more information, please call Bill Jacobson at 530.268.7367 or send email to (bill@socialalliancenetwork.org) For directions please click here.

Support Runners will accompany the Spirit Runners throughout the running route. Support Runners are encouraged to pre-register for the event. However, Support Runners can join on the day of the event. All Support Runners, however, must arrive no later than 8am to the site of the Sunrise Ceremony beneath the Hwy 20-Parks Bar Bridge (south side of the lower Yuba River).

A brief (10-minute) orientation and route review will commence at 8:10am at the Parks Bar site-all Spirit Runners and all Support Runners must attend. We anticipate that the salmon hunting party will return to the site of the Sunrise Ceremony at approximately 8:30am, and the run will commence promptly from there.

All runners will drive their vehicles to a designated parking area at the beginning of the run. Shuttles will return you from Englebright Reservoir to your vehicles.

None of the Runners will continue along the aquatic portion of the route (up Englebright Reservoir), as space in the boat will be reserved for Maidu Runners who will accompany the spirit salmon for the entire journey to Bridgeport. However, if boaters wish to accompany the salmon boat, they should inquire directly with SYRCL Executive Director, Jason Rainey: Jason@syrcl.org.

We are also looking for Shuttle Volunteers to take runners back to their vehicle, especially from the Englebright-Army Corps of Engineers boat launch site. Of special value will be those with minivans or similar multi-seat vehicles. If you are interested in this role, contact the route coordinator: emily.rivenes@sierrafund.org . Please state "Shuttle Volunteer" in the subject field.

Click Here for a Printable Version of the Registration Form

Thank You for Supporting this Important Community Event!