Marathoner is Nike N7 Ambassador

Navajo Alvina Begay Hopes to Represent U.S. as Olympic MarathonerNavajo long-distance runner and Nike N7 Ambassador Alvina Begay grew up watching her father train for the Olympics. While her mother worked full-time and pursued her bachelor’s degree, Begay and her five siblings would see him blaze the trails over the hills and mesas of their hometown of Ganado, Arizona.

“His golden dreams were to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials,” says Begay.And:On January 14, Begay plans to race against long-distance runners from across the United States in the Marathon Olympic Trials in Houston. The 26.2-mile race will determine the three women who will represent the country in the marathon at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

This isn’t the first time Begay has faced such a challenge. “I did the marathon trials in 2004,” she says, “and I feel like I didn’t run to my full potential.” Some injuries, she explains, “limited my full range of motion.”Comment:  For more on Nike, see Bradford Named Nike N7 Ambassador and Nike Signs Tahnee Robinson.