Oraivi Village

The VIllage of Oraivi is located on the Hopi Indian Reservation in Northeast Arizona. The Hopi Reservation consists of three mesas, first mesa, second mesa and third mesa which hosts all 11 Hopi villages. Oraivi sits on third mesa at an altitude of 6,500 feet and recognized to be the oldest, continuous, inhabited, settlement in the United States of America dating back to 1150 A.D. Oraivi was discovered by Pedro De Tovar in 1540, a lieutenant of Coronado. Oraivi is full and rich of Hop culture and history. The mission of San Fransisco was built in 1629 and later destroyed in the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 and sits as an historical ruin at the south end of Oraivi village. The race gives you an opportunity to view this historical site as the race course passes less then 50 feet away from the ruins of the San Fransisco mission.

Each Hopi village ia named after a unique feature of their origin of settlement. Oraivi is named after the unique feature pictured below. Oraivi translates to "above the rock" or "on the rock." The people of Oraivi are believed to have climbed onto this rock and claimed this land to establish their settlement. The race course will give you an opportunity to pass the historical landmark Oraivi. Oraivi has maintained a traditional Hopi way of life. While visitors to the village are welcomed, the residents tend to be very private. The Oraivi Footrace allows runners and visitors to experience the rich history that exist in the village of Oraivi.