WELCOME TO THE RELAY

DEAR RUNNER,
"California's Longest Party" is on - from Calistoga in Napa Valley to Sonoma to Marin, through Sausalito, across the Golden Gate Bridge under a full moon, through San Francisco to Palo Alto and through Silicon Valley to the beach in Santa Cruz. Featuring the natural beauty of the Bay Area, the 199-mile course boasts the largest number of tourist destinations of any run.

Teams are comprised of 12 members, each running three legs in rotation. The 36 legs through 36 cities are 3 to 8.9 miles and rated from 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 with " unquestioned sportsmanship," 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
The transfer of the baton from runner to runner symbolizes the transfer of an organ from donor to recipient. The 1997 and 1998 Relays were dedicated to three-year-old Delaney Corbitt who waited since birth for a kidney. Following a bicycle accident on August 29, 1997, the Cotti family donated seven-year-old Alexandria's kidney to Delaney. As runners crossed The Relay finish, President Clinton signed a Relay shirt for Delaney at Stanford Hospital.

The 1999 and 2000 Relays were dedicated to Paul McVetty who passed away on October 24, 2000, after waiting four years for a liver. The 2001, 2002 and 2004 Relays were dedicated to Nicholas Green who donated organs to seven Italians. To thank the boy that saved her, Maria Pia Pedala, Nicholas' liver recipient, traveled from Italy to participate in The Relay 2004. With an estimated promotional value of $10 million, Maria Pia's visit was covered by four television stations, including RAI from Italy, and 18 publications including USA Today, People Magazine and Readers Digest and discussed on David Letterman (March 16, 2005).

The 2005-2007 Relays were dedicated to three-year-old Katalina Thang who waited two years for a tiny donor. On September 4, 2006, Katalina received a heart and two lungs. The 2007-2008 Relays are dedicated to finding Shawn Stockwell a new heart.

AS A RUNNER, WALKER OR VOLUNTEER, SUPPORT 98,000 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, seek per-mile pledges (see Fundraising Tips) and/or ask your employer to match your entry fee with a contribution to ORU. Building a webpage is an easy way to solicit online donations or tell the story of a team or honoree.

FIERCE RIVALRY
Google 1 won the 2007 race in 20 hrs., 43 min. 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