The Relay

I should probably have written this review years ago. I have been captain of a Relay team Short Shorts Drive Us Nuts (SSDUN) since 1997. The Relay has changed many times in the years past; sometimes it is 190 miles, 192 miles 199 miles 201 miles. It changes ending location from Santa Cruz to Davenport and back to Santa Cruz. But one thing for sure; the Relay staff does an awesome job of organizing the event year after year. They’ve had title sponsors that have come and gone (Providian, Saturn, EAS, to name a few) and less resources to work with during many years. But the staff of Relay always puts the event together and get all of the 36 runner exchanges going. I“ve done the Hood to Coast, Ragnar Washington DC, and I can say without a doubt The Relay is the best organized, most scenic, most challenging, and without the exorbitant entry cost. If you are a fan of doing these 24 hour+, 200 mile team challenges, the Relay is the one to do. Great views running through Napa, Marin, across the GG Bridge, along the beach, Crystal Springs, through the Santa Cruz mountain valley. I love this race!

OMG. If ever there was a time to use this acronym, it would be for this past weekend. Our team of 12 ran 191 miles from Calistoga to Santa Cruz. What an amazing, scenic, and well organized course! We literally ran through the night, through narrow roads of Marin, across the Golden Gate bridge, down the Peninsula, and up the hills to Santa Cruz. We barely got 3 hours of sleep.
I’ve done 6 half marathons, a couple 10ks and a couple bay to breakers. But this was easily the toughest thing I’ve ever done. A relay is NO JOKE. But that’s what makes it so rewarding. It’s an experience I will never forget.

The best type 2 fun you can imaging. Great scenery, and a wonderful bonding experience. Not advised if you don’t appreciate groups. You will get to know your van mates VERY well in the course of this charity event to assist with child organ transplant needs.

The is for a great cause. Organ donor awareness. Starts in Calistoga ending in Davenport for a total of 194 miles over 1 ½ days.