Steve Gachupin, legendary Jemez Pueblo runner and coach, dies at 82
Steve Gachupin, the Jemez Pueblo runner who won the Pikes Peak Marathon six years in a row starting in 1966, earning himself the nickname “King of the Mountain,” then coaching many Indigenous runners after him, died Wednesday. He was 82, his family told KOAT. Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines from KOAT Action 7 NewsThe trail, totaling 26.2 miles, climbs 7,800 vertical feet to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado, which sits at 14,115 feet. Gachupin represented New Mexico at the 1968 Olympic trials in Alamosa, Colorado, and placed 15th overall. He won the La Luz Trail Run, which climbs up to Sandia Peak, five times in his career. Gachupin also won many traditional races held at Jemez Pueblo — a tribal community home to numerous elite runners who have set local, state, national and international competitions. Gachupin coached many runners in his career, including leading the Jemez Valley High School to more than a dozen state championships, as well as the Wings of American National Team. Jemez Valley dedicated its sports complex to Gachupin in 2022. Action 7 News On The Go: Download our app for free
Steve Gachupin, the Jemez Pueblo runner who won the Pikes Peak Marathon six years in a row starting in 1966, earning himself the nickname “King of the Mountain,” then coaching many Indigenous runners after him, died Wednesday. He was 82, his family told KOAT.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines from KOAT Action 7 News
The trail, totaling 26.2 miles, climbs 7,800 vertical feet to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado, which sits at 14,115 feet.
Gachupin represented New Mexico at the 1968 Olympic trials in Alamosa, Colorado, and placed 15th overall.
He won the La Luz Trail Run, which climbs up to Sandia Peak, five times in his career.
Gachupin also won many traditional races held at Jemez Pueblo — a tribal community home to numerous elite runners who have set local, state, national and international competitions.
Gachupin coached many runners in his career, including leading the Jemez Valley High School to more than a dozen state championships, as well as the Wings of American National Team. Jemez Valley dedicated its sports complex to Gachupin in 2022.
Action 7 News On The Go: Download our app for free
