WELCOME TO THE RELAY

DEAR RUNNER,
"California's Longest Party" is on - from Calistoga in Napa Valley to Sonoma, Marin, Sausalito, across the Golden Gate Bridge under a full moon, to San Francisco, Palo Alto and Silicon Valley to the ocean in Santa Cruz County. Featuring the beauty of the Bay Area, The Relay course boasts many tourist destinations.

Teams of 12 each run three legs in rotation. The 36 legs through 36 cities are 3 to 8.9 miles and rated easy to very hard allowing runners to select legs that match their strengths. Runners of all abilities are challenged, contribute and have a great time.

HISTORICAL BEGINNING
"Indian Tribes Will Participate in Great California Marathon" declared the Sausalito News on April 2, 1927. As "the longest endurance contest ever," the 480-mile foot race through 7 counties between Sausalito and Grants Pass, Oregon, commemorated the beauty of the Redwood Empire. Teams from nine tribes competed for $2,775 in gold. Signal fires and tribesmen performing age-old dances greeted runners along the way. After many battled for the lead, Mad Bull from the Karook tribe finished in 7 days, 12 hours and 34 minutes.

THE RELAY
Much has changed since 1927, yet similarities remain. A fire at Point Reyes bellowed smoke through Marin and Sonoma signaling the start of The Relay in 1995. Showcasing the San Francisco area through seven counties, nine teams ran from Calistoga to Santa Cruz. Runners dance along the way. The "waiting for the porta-potty" dance is especially popular.

WHY A RELAY?
The Latin derivation of competition is seeking our best with the help of others. A relay is not about being the fastest. The Relay is about learning what it takes to be a winner. The focus is 12 runners working together, giving their best for the team. Surmounting adversity, helping teammates and other teams, running in the moonlight and making special friends are all part of The Relay romance. For corporate teams, The Relay reinforces values that employees need to create a winning company. Every finisher leaves Santa Cruz a winner.

WITH ORGANS 'R' US ("ORU"), THE RELAY PROMOTES DONATION
Since 1995, the transfer of the baton from runner to runner has symbolized the transfer of an organ from donor to recipient. The Relay has been dedicated to transplant recipients, candidates, organ donors and donor families participating as runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators.

AS A RUNNER, WALKER OR VOLUNTEER, SUPPORT 100,000 AMERICANS WAITING
for organ donors by discussing your personal wishes regarding organ donation with your family. Since 18 die each day before an organ is available, solicit online donations and/or ask your employer to match your entry fee with a tax-deductible contribution to ORU.

FIERCE RIVALRY
Google 1 won the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Relays (beating Yahoo! and Facebook). With four Olympians, the 2000 Sportbrain team set the course record of 17 hrs, 55 min. Team Dean (Karnazes) will defend his ultra divisional title for the 14th year.

TEAMWORK
It will take strength, strategy and endurance to reach the finish. It will take cooperation, sensitivity and understanding to travel many miles with sweaty bodies. Conquer as a team what few dare to face alone. The Relay is a unique adventure uniting athletes, communities and volunteers in a celebration of life, running and teamwork. Quench your thirst for challenge and discovery. Join us for a little run from Calistoga to Santa Cruz!

The Relay Committee