Dennis Poolheco, a graduate of Winslow High School, was the first human to win the Man Against Horse race in Prescott, then went on to win it six years in a row. Last month he was posthumously inducted into the Arizona Runners Hall of Fame.

The late Dennis Poolheco, a Hopi ultra-marathon runner, was inducted into the Arizona Runners Hall of Fame during the 40th anniversary of the Phoenix 10K and Half-Marathon Nov. 1.

Dennis was a legendary runner in the state, winning the Man Against Horse race a record six consecutive times. The event literally involves runners racing against horse and rider in a challenging loop up and over Ingus Mountain, then back through Prescott National Forrest. Poolheco was the first human to win, running over 22 miles in 6 hours 33 minutes.

He was selected as an inductee not only because of his tremendous contributions to the running community, but as a role model to others, especially Native American youth. Unfortunately, the honor came posthumously, as Dennis died in June as the result of a car accident.

His uncle Walter Poolheco shared his story, one that even his family wasn’t fully aware of until after his death.

“He was very modest about his running. We knew he ran, but we had no idea how much he was involved or how well known he was in the running community,” said Walter. He explained that Dennis was raised by his paternal grandparents in Tewa village on the Hopi Reservation and attended Winslow High School, graduating in the top 10 of his class in 1978.

In his young adulthood, Dennis struggled with alcoholism, but discovered that running helped him control his addiction. In 1996, as his running became an important part of his life, Dennis decided to take part in 5Ks, 10Ks and marathons, but found he truly loved the longer distance ultra-marathons.

“He started with the smaller races, but didn’t like all the crowds and people running together. With the ultra-marathons he really found what he loved. When he ran he’d write his thoughts on his bib, prayers that he had, hopes for those he cared about. I spent all night reading them, they are really very insightful,” his uncle said.

A connection to family was important to Dennis and he felt a strong need to represent that bond through running. In 1999, he ran the 66-mile journey from Shungopavi village on the Hopi Reservation to Winslow in honor of his mother, whom he’d never met. He later ran from Winslow to Tewa, a 71-mile journey, in honor of his grandmother who raised him. “He did the runs to honor them separately, but then ran a third from Shungopavi to Winslow then to Polacca to tie them all together,” his uncle said, a 137-mile run that he estimates Dennis finished in about 30 hours.

He became part of the Montrail Patagonia Ultrarunning Team in 2001 and of the Ultra Running Group of Arizona. He was the only Arizona resident to finish the Hard Rock 100 in Colorado, placed first in his division in the White River National Championship in Crystal, Wash., and was Ultra Runner of the Year for Arizona.

Dennis had set a personal goal for himself and that was to win all of the 50-mile Ultramarathons in the state of Arizona. He accomplished it. He also ran from the south rim of the Grand Canyon to the north rim, and then back again.

His uncle is hoping to bring new life to Dennis’ legacy by telling of his accomplishments.

“He was inspired by stories from his dad and his grandfather, who were also runners,” Walter recalled. “I think it’s important for young people to remember what he did so that they can be inspired as well.”