March 2008

Hello Runners,

Spring is right around the corner so I'm sure most of you are planning what races you'll be doing this season.

Long distance team relay races are popping up all over the country - more and more people are discovering how much fun they are: the camaraderie that develops within your team, the fun "trash talking" you can have with other teams, tabulating all your "road kill" when you pass another team , and the surrealness of running that leg under the stars in the middle of the night.

What fascinates me is, for the most part, long distance relays are not being organized by big event companies with big money title sponsors. The are being being organized by individuals like myself, runners who fell in love with the relay concept, and are designing and staging their own races. Each of these smaller races has their own unique and individual flavor rather than a cookie cutter appearance common with many other races.

Our philosophy for our relay races is we are not out to be the biggest - we are not interested in creating traffic jams, overwhelming local communities, or selling out to sponsors. Our goal is to design the most scenic routes and to put on the most organized race possible. They are a labor of love. So while we may be missing some of the amenities bigger races have (bands, beer gardens, and tons of free "stuff"), I am confident you won't find many races where the race director has put as much time and effort into making their race as memorable as humanly possible.

So whether you give our races a try or not, I encourage you to participate in a long distance relay race. If you are like most participants, you'll find that "it was the most fun you've ever had while running."

3RD ANNUAL GREEN MOUNTAIN RELAY - VERMONT - SATURDAY - SUNDAY, JUNE 21 - 22

The new, later date of the third weekend in June near the Summer Solstice, has proven to be very popular. More teams are already registered than participated in the race last year. In addition, donations to our Volunteers With A Purpose program, which will go to local non-profit organizations who volunteer to staff the Runner Exchanges, are close to going over $10,000.

There are still plenty of openings for teams as the race is capped at 100 teams. Late registration doesn't begin until May 1st.

5TH ANNUAL WILD WEST RELAY - COLORADO - FRIDAY - SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 - 2

Registrations are solid with many new teams joining teams that have participated every year. There is still room as the number of teams is capped at 135. Late registration doesn't begin until July 1st.

TEAM MATCHING

Are you a runner looking for a team, or a team that has some slots to fill before you register? Check out the message board set up for each relay. You can read posts or place your own note. Links to the message boards are available on the home page for each relay.

2008 PROMOTIONAL POSTERS

Here are the posters that have been mailed out to running stores all over the country to promote the relays - copies will be available at the finish line or you can order them through the mail. They are printed on card stock and are packaged and protected in mailing tubes.

Green Mountain Relay	Wild West Relay
click on poster for a larger image

NEED FOR SPEED AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

We are happy to announce that both the GMR and WWR have once again been invited to be part of the Avon Foundation Need For Speed Against Domestic Violence National Relay Series. The 2008 Need for Speed Series includes seven events covering nine states, offering participants the opportunity to raise funds to help children affected by domestic violence. Every year, up to 10 million children in the United States witness some form of domestic violence, and they need our help. All the funds raised by runners in the Green Mountain and Wild West Relays will help children in the Vermont and Colorado areas and will help end the cycle of domestic violence right here in our communities. The funds in Vermont will be awarded to the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (www.vtnetwork.org), an umbrella organization that serves sixteen member domestic violence organizations throughout Vermont, and in Colorado, to the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence (www.ccadv.org).

You can sign up as a Need for Speed runner individually or as a team. The money you raise will not only help end domestic violence, it will also give you the opportunity to win prizes---and the more you raise, the more prizes you can earn. The top fund raising team in each relay (raising at least $2,500) will win a free team entry into the 2009 GMR or WWR! There are other incentive prizes at various levels. The Avon Foundation has set up unique websites for the GMR and WWR – to learn more, visit www.needforspeedrelay.org and click on the appropriate relay. This is a very worthy cause, so check it out and consider participating. For more information about the program, see the website or email info@needforspeedrelay.org.

NEED FOR SPEED SPECIAL OFFER

Want a free entry into the 2008 relay of your choice? Raise $5000 for Need For Speed Against Domestic Violence and you and your team will earn free registration for the 2008 GMR or WWR events.

The Avon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1955. For more information and resources on the domestic violence issue visit www.avonfoundation.org.

NEW EVENTS FOR THOSE WHO LIVE ON THE FRONT RANGE IN COLORADO

For those who live in or near Fort Collins, Denver, or Colorado Springs, Timberline Events is excited to announce our new event - the Couples Relay (TM).

The Couples Relay (TM) event is a two-person relay race. Each member of the team runs one 5k to 4 mile lap. A team is two runners and can be Female/Male, Female/Female, or Male/Male. Runners and walkers are welcome. Races are planned for Fort Collins, Denver, and Colorado Springs.

What is a "Couple?"

Besides the obvious (husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, and all other significant other parings), other team ideas are parent/child, pairs of siblings, grandparent/grandchild, two friends, or, take advantage of this opportunity and invite the person you've been admiring from afar.

Categories are based on the total age of the team.

Registration is now open for races in Fort Collins, Denver, and Colorado Springs.

May 18th - Fort Collins - City Park

June 29th - Denver - Washington Park

July 20th - Colorado Springs - America the Beautiful Park

The Couples Relay (TM) will benefit the Blazeman Foundation for ALS.

As always, any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I hope to see you out there!