Relay Logistics
What time does the race begin on Day One and what time does it typically end on Day Two?
Relay races are a bit different than the standard road race. In a relay race, team starts are staggered throughout the day - slower teams (10+ min/mile pace) start first with elite teams (sub 7 min/mile pace) starting hours later. There are several reasons for this. First, it spreads the runners along the course as there are no road closures and runners are running on road shoulders following traffic laws. Second, you can manipulate the number of teams arriving at the exchanges at the same time. Some exchanges have less van parking than others so it's important to try to minimize congestion. And finally, you can control the time teams will finish so that it happens within a narrowing time period (4 - 6 hours rather than 10 - 12 hours). The plan is for the first wave of teams to start between 5:00 and 6:00 AM and the last wave between 11:00 and Noon. Where a team starts is dependent on its average pace. Look at the Start Time Planning chart for the relay you are interested in to get a general idea of what time your team will start.
Is there a mid-race cutoff, where the slowest teams will get weeded out?
Teams need to maintain a minimum of a 10:30 pace in order to arrive before exchanges close. Teams that do not maintain this pace will need to either withdraw from the relay or to drive ahead and skip some legs to get caught back up to the field. This typically starts becoming an issue for some teams about half way through the distance of the course. This is why it is very important that teams accurately enter their times so that teams are given an appropriate start time.
When will starting times and volunteer assignments be made?
Volunteers and/or Team Captains will be able to sign up their volunteers starting July 1, 2025. The total number of teams - and volunteers available for the relay - needs to be determined before the final number of volunteers/exchange can be determined. Volunteers will pick their own assignments online in a first come, first served process. Starting times and the online selection of the volunteer's assignments will close 3 weeks before the start of the relay.
