Run, Ride, Sleep, Repeat

By Shelly Aucoin

Need a new reason to stay up all night? Ragnar Relays offer a unique running experience, with 24 hour races ranging from 180-200 miles. Here’s how it works: each relay team consists of 12 members and two runner support vehicles. Both vehicles carry six runners that will run three legs each, with legs ranging from three to eight miles long. Some legs are harder than others, which evens the playing field and opens the relays to athletes of all levels. A novice jogger can happily be on the same team as a marathon runner.

Once a vehicle drops a runner off at his or her start point, it drives ahead to the first exchange point where it will pick up the first runner and drop off the second once that leg is complete. This leapfrogging pattern will continue day and night all the way to the finish line.

New England Race Director Erin Pilkington, who grew up surrounded by professional runners, says she was drawn to Ragnar Relays because of its unique format and fun environment: “Though Ragnar races are 200 miles, many novice runners participate in our events, along with the adrenaline junky pavement pounders, as there is something for everyone. Ragnar is not your typical road race; it embodies so much more and becomes a true adventure!”
The New England race is May 20th – 21st, starting in New Haven, CT and ending in Boston. The relay will pass through Worcester County via Webster, Douglas, Uxbridge, Mendon, and Milford, and then through Holliston, Sherborn, Wellesley, Newton and Watertown.

“Every Ragnar Relay we try to develop scenic routes, and New England in spring is beautiful. Within the 200 mile course, runners are taken along the coast, through the rolling hills filled with Cape Cod homes and to one of the most historic cities in the U.S.: Boston. Each of the 36 legs has its own scenic qualities displaying the best of New England.”

Team camaraderie is abundant at the Ragnar Relays. If you don’t know anyone who’s running, don’t worry. The Ragnar website has a spiffy “Team Finder” application where you can enter your information and be matched with other participants to form a team. You’ll be best friends complete with inside jokes by the time you cross the finish line.

“One of my favorite things that I look forward to every race is the seeing the crazy costumes and creative team names. Participants continue to impress and amuse me!” says Erin.

Dash on over to the website for more information and get a head start planning for the 2012 Relay. Remember to use the handy “Team Finder” to join a team!
www.ragnarrelay.com