Our Mission

Photo credit: Eli Duke

Norawas de Rarámuri is a US- based nonprofit organization that works to support and reinvigorate an ancient and unique running culture that has endured from long before the arrival of Europeans on their continent. Known as the Tarahumara, or Rarámuri in their own language, they are an indigenous people living dispersed throughout Mexico’s magnificent Copper Canyon.

Norawas de Rarámuri supports Rarámuri participation in local and international foot races created to celebrate and encourage continuation of Rarámuri running culture and the health of their communities.


We work to provide maize, non-GMO seed corn, and cash awards for participating Rarámuri runners, men and women alike. In this way we offer both nutrition during drought and support for a tradition of small farms necessary to both physical and cultural survival.