A plethora of spring blooms carpet the Golden State along with
an increase of charitable footraces. The Relay, a fundraiser for
Organs R Us is normally a 199-mile run, but this year, it turned
out to be 194. I’m sure some fatigued runners were grateful about
the change
A plethora of spring blooms carpet the Golden State along with an increase of charitable footraces. The Relay, a fundraiser for Organs R Us is normally a 199-mile run, but this year, it turned out to be 194.
I’m sure some fatigued runners were grateful about the change.
The start line begins in the wine country and concluded at the sand and surf of Santa Cruz from April 30 to May 1.
The Relay comprises teams with 12 runners plus two volunteers who shuttle the participants around in a van over a 24-hour period. However, ultra marathoner Dean Karnazes jogged the entire distance solo several times in the past including 2003 for 1-month-old Valeria Sanchez, who needed a heart transplant.
To get a better idea how this works, the 194-mile distance is divided among the racers, giving them three segments, or legs, each. Some legs are easy on the knees, and others are more brutal with steep grades and increase mileage. Some of this is done at night in the wilderness or in a weird neighborhood without much lighting. This is where an unfortunate athlete can trip and fall out in the middle of nowhere and get injured. The stalwarts in the team get stuck with the tough, nasty segments and the newbies or softies get the easy stuff. One hopes, anyway.
Fortunate runners get to run across the Golden Gate Bridge at midnight if they manage to snag the coveted leg with that feature.
To generate a festive race, teams are encouraged to wear costumes and also decorate their vans in a unique way.
Three teams from Morgan Hill got in the act to help others who are desperate for an organ transplant. SVRcrazy Team, with captain Allan Abrams leading the way, finished the ambitious fundraiser in 28:57:51. Abrams and his fellow teammates have done The Relay five times, raising $9,500. They are part of the South Valley Running Club and train together regularly. Also it helps that most of these guys run many a marathon and ultra marathon distances.
“I am training all year-round, so the relay fits perfectly into my schedule. I only need to make sure I incorporate some hill work to insure I’m ready for the hard legs,” Abrams said.
Aside from running the thing, there are other issues like staying awake for 37 hours straight and raising money. Abrams didn’t seem to have a problem with these. But the organizing can be challenging.
“First is recruiting a team of 12 runners. I start in January, knowing that I will lose at least two over the coming months to injury, family or work conflicts. Then it’s getting the two volunteers each team is required to have. Again, there is the chance I will lose at least one along the way. After nailing down the team the rest is very easy as I have been doing this for five years now,” he said.
The other two teams from Morgan Hill are Stryker Endoscopy’s We’ve Still Got The Runs Team headed by Jenn Frisk who finished the course in 29:47:10 and Team Wicked with Mary Seehafer at the helm, completing their part in The Relay with 33:17:32.
The reward is seeing the people in desperate need for an organ transplant get the help they seek and experiencing the colorful party atmosphere of The Relay 194-miler.
Abrams said, “I enjoy the camaraderie and team spirit. It’s a chance to really get to know fellow club members and bond over a common love for running.”
I bet you he’ll back with his team next year.
