A Native American run paying tribute to a 130-year-old escape attempt by members of the Northern Cheyenne tribe begins Friday in Fort Robinson, Neb. The 10th Annual Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run is scheduled to conclude Wednesday, Jan. 14, in Lame Deer, Mont.

The run's participants include a wide range of ages, from 10 year old fifth-graders and young adult college students to the elderly.

Participants in the run will begin the event Jan. 9 by visiting historical sights, listening to their ancestors' stories and learning about their Northern Cheyenne heritage. That evening, the runners will break out of the rebuilt barracks at the approximate time and on the exact location that their ancestors broke out of 130 years ago.

The event is designed to pay tribute to the Jan. 9, 1879, event in which about 130 sick, starving Northern Cheyenne prisoners broke out of their wooden barracks in an attempt to return to their home in Montana. Most were killed. Others fled before the U.S. Calvary caught up with them in an area known as "The Last Hole." Some found safety among Red Cloud's Oglala Lakota.

The runners will roughly retrace their ancestors path through Nebraska, into South Dakota and back into Montana.

Participants will be making stops in Pine Ridge, Hot Springs, Custer and Deadwood. The runners also plan a special stop at Crazy Horse Monument on Jan. 11 to give a gift of appreciation to Ruth Ziolkowsi and her family for their continued contributions and support of the run. That evening, a meal will be organized for the runners by Debbie Eagle Elk at 6 pm at the Mother Butler Center. The community is invited to help with the meal and support the runners and participants.

Jan. 12 marks the longest day of mileage for the run. Runners will start in Deadwood and will continue into the night until they reach Hammond, Mont. On this day, runners will cover over 100 miles. On this evening, the Butte County Historical Society and members of the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce will provide and serve a meal to the runners.

The run will conclude at the Allen Rowland Gymnasium in Lame Deer, Mont. The runners will be honored with a meal provided by community members.

For more information, go to www.yellowbirdinc.org.