Background:
Louis Tewanima won the silver medal in the Olympics for the 10,000 meter run with very little formal competitive training. However, for the Hopi Indians long distance running is part of their culture and religion.
Answer:
The Hopi Indians traditionally ran their game down: pronghorn, deer, turkeys, rabbits till the animal was exhausted. They would kill the animal, if it hadn’t already died, through compression of the animal’s chest cavity so they couldn’t breathe. Or in some cases carrying corn ears heavy laden with pollen would suffocate the animal with pollen dust.
Interesting Side Note:
The story is told that after Louis Tewanima reached the reservation after the Stockholm Olympics, and US tour he was challenged to a long distance race by Elders of the Hopi tribe. They all out ran the Olympian.
This link below is extremely interesting as it encapsulate the Hopi mythology of running, their current views, and the history of story telling.
This is told by a Hopi’s grandfather and set to music and media by his grandson. I found it fascinating, but it isn’t to everyone’s taste.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVbjHrj2jgc
ESPN on Hopi Runner 27th Year Champs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVbjHrj2jgc