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RELAY 101
WHAT IS A "TEAM RELAY RACE?"
A relay road race is a team-oriented event. Each team consists of either twelve runners and two vehicles (the vast majority of the teams) or six runners and one vehicle (Ultra teams).
One thing to be very aware of is the course of long distance relays are NOT CLOSED. Runners run along shoulders of roads and both runners and their vans must follow traffic laws. As we are visitors to the towns the relay route goes through, and are sharing the road with other motorists, it is critically important that participants act in a mature and responsible manner. Violation of any traffic, safety, or relay rules can result in immediate disqualification of the entire team.
Teams are self-supporting. Each 12-person team supplies two vehicles, an Active Van and a Resting Van. The active van is the vehicle that carries the runners who are currently running the course; the resting van carries the runners who are eating and/or resting before it is their turn. The active van prepositions itself at a predetermined point called an Exchange to drop off the next runner and pick up the current runner. Ultra teams supply one van which is always active.
As a runner finishes their leg, they hand off the baton to the next runner at the Exchange Point. The active van then drives on to the next exchange to wait for the runner to arrive.
Every sixth exchange is designated as a Van Exchange. This is where the active van and resting van change roles as runners in the first van have finished their six legs and the next van of runners begin theirs. During the late night/early morning hours, the resting van will preposition themselves at the next Van Exchange. During this “down” time, runners will throw out sleeping bags to try to get a bit of sleep before it is their turn to run again.
Teams also need to stock their vans with water, food, sports drinks, and first aid kits. There are no aid stations at the exchanges.
Teams, depending on their pace, will be out on the course anywhere from 19 to 34 hours. Teams start in waves every half hour to an hour with the slower teams starting in the morning and the elite teams starting last in the early afternoon.
PUTTING TOGETHER A TEAM
Running a relay is a lot of fun. Most participants are hooked on the relay concept after their first one. There is something special about going for a run at 3 in the morning under the moon and stars. Relays also provide a wonderful bonding experience and unique camaraderie that isn't found in other events. Just read some of the feedback we've received from participants. You also have the chance to be silly by running in a costume or decorating your van. Then there is the finish, where it is a tradition for a team to cross the finish line together. But there are logistics to figure out so planning ahead will make it easier come race day.
The first thing you need to do is to put a team together. You can start by recruiting your running friends to join you. It's always best to get a commitment by collecting their share of the registration. If you don't have enough friends to put together a team, make some new running friends by checking out our Team Matching Message Board.
Next, if you don't have two vehicles, reserve a van or SUV from our partner, Enterprise Rent-A-Car. We have negotiated special rates for GMR Participants.
If you are from out of the area, or would like to spend some days in Vermont after the relay, make hotel reservations early so you have a wider selection. Visit our Travel Section for lists of hotels.
RUNNER LINE-UP
To qualify as winners, teams must follow all Rules.
- Competitive teams must maintain the order of runners submitted on the Roster at the start. The 195-mile course is divided into 36 legs, and each team member runs three times, every twelfth leg, in rotation (i.e. Runner 1 runs Legs 1, 13, 25).
- If a runner on a competitive team is injured, the next runner in rotation must substitute and others move up. See a further explanation on the Rules page.
- For noncompetitive Helter Skelter teams, a team can have their runners run in any order.
VANS
- Teams divide into two groups with six runners per vehicle. While the Active Van is completing six legs, six runners in the Resting Van can shower, eat, or rest.
- Runners 1-6 will be assigned to Van 1, which will be active on Legs 1-6, 13-18 and 25-30. When Runner 6 hands the baton to Runner 7, Van 1 finishes its six legs and Van 2 begins. Similarly, Runners 7-12 will be assigned to Van 2, which will be active on Legs 7-12, 19-24 and 31-36. When Runner 12 hands the baton to Runner 1, Van 1 takes over.
- These exchanges are called Van Exchanges and occur at every sixth Exchange. (6, 12, 18, 24, 30).
- Captains may calculate and anticipate the timing of Van Exchanges by using pace estimates of runners. To allow for error, Resting Vans should arrive at Van Exchanges 30 minutes prior to the predicted hand-off. Cell phones and 2-way radios are useful for van communications. However, please note that there are some sections of the relay route where there is no cell phone coverage.
START TIMES
Teams starting times won't be announce until after registration closes. To get an idea of the time your team would start, calculate an average per mile pace of your team based on each member's 10k time and look at the following chart.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Restaurants/Camping/Resting
- Exchange 12: There is a restaurant at the Old Hancock Hotel across the street from Exchange 12
- Exchange 15: The Green Mountain Grill, located just across the street from Exchange 15 in Stockbridge, will be open for GMR participants
- Exchange 18: There are many restaurants in the ski town of Killington just off of US 4/RT 100
- Exchange 24: there will be plenty of space on the grass to throw out a sleeping bag at the Weston Recreation Area.
- Exchange 30: this is a huge dirt parking lot for Bromley Mountain Ski Resort, so plenty of room to throw out a sleeping bag; also plenty of restaurants in nearby Manchester Center & Manchester
- Water, drinks, and food should be carried in the team vans, as there are no aid stations like you'll find in shorter races.
- Gas, food stores, country stores, and restaurants are available in most of the towns and villages on or close to the relay route
Last updated 3/12/2008
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