SURVIVAL STRATEGIES

The Relay course boasts the largest number of tourist destinations of any run. From Calistoga, teams travel through 36 cities, across the Golden Gate Bridge at midnight to the beach in Santa Cruz. The 199 mile course is divided into 36 legs so each team member runs three times.

DEFINITIONS
Competitive Teams must follow all Rules: runners must run every 12th leg (Runner 1 runs Legs 1, 13, 25) and maintain the order (1-12) submitted on the Roster/Waiver at the start. If a runner is injured, the next runner in rotation must substitute and others move up (Rules 19, 20). If a runner drops out, Runners 1 and/or 2 will run a fourth leg. To qualify as winners, submasters and masters teams must submit a copy of each runner's driver license at the Start.

Exchange: one of 30 locations where a runner hands the baton to a teammate in the same van. Only Active Vans (waiting for an incoming runner), may park in Exchanges. While the Active Van is completing six legs, six runners in the Resting Van can shower, eat, rest and play. To reduce congestion, Resting vans may not park in Exchanges or drive along the course, but must follow Resting Van Routes.

Van Exchange: one of 5 locations (6, 12, 18, 24, 30) where a runner hands the baton to a teammate in the other van. Since one van finishes and the other van begins, Active and Resting vans may park in Van Exchanges.

Vans, Active/Resting: The Active Van transports runners (usually five) to the next Exchange while a teammate is running. The Active Van must carry supplies (there are no aid stations) and may not trail runners, but must drive ahead to ready the next runner. Vans may not obstruct the shoulder forcing runners into traffic. Resting vans may not park in Exchanges or drive along the course, but must follow Resting Van Routes.

ASSIGN RUNNERS 1-6 to Van 1 and Runners 7-12 to Van 2.
Van 1 will be the Active Van on Legs 1-6, 13-18 and 25-30. Van 2 will be the Active Van on Legs 7-12, 19-24 and 31-36. When assigning legs, review the Course Summary Table. Runners spend the race with teammates in their own van and see runners in the other van for brief periods at Van Exchanges. Driving the course in advance at night will facilitate navigation during the race. Captains may calculate Van Exchange times by using pace estimates of runners.

THE RESTING VAN
To reduce vehicle congestion, Resting Vans must travel Resting Van Routes to the next Van Exchange (6, 12, 18, 24, 30). Resting Vans that travel along the course or park in Exchanges will be penalized. Consider the following strategies for Resting Vans.

Facilities/Supplies Food may be purchased at the Start, Exchanges 6, 8, 12, 14, 15, 24, 25, 27, 33 and the Finish. Gas is available at Exchanges 15, 20 and 25. Showers are available at Exchanges 6 and 24 (for Van 1) and Exchange 24 (for Van 2, the stinky van).

Start Van 1, with Runners 1-6, begins in Calistoga. Van 2, the Resting Van, with runners 7-12 is not required at the Start and may proceed to the 1st Van Exchange (Exchange 6), First Baptist Church, Napa to ready Runner 7.

1st Van Exchange (Exchange 6) After Legs 1-6, Van 1 runners may shower, eat and rest at the First Baptist Church, Napa and proceed to the 2nd Van Exchange (Exchange 12), Marin French Cheese Company via Van Route 2.

2nd Van Exchange (Exchange 12) After Legs 7-12, Van 2 runners may eat and rest at at the Marin French Cheese Company and proceed through Novato to San Francisco to the 3rd Van Exchange (Exchange 18), Golden Gate Bridge, via Van Route 3.

3rd Van Exchange (Exchange 18) After Legs 13-18, Van 1 runners may proceed to the 4th Van Exchange (Exchange 24), Canada College via Van Route 4 to shower, rest and eat.

4th Van Exchange (Exchange 24) After Legs 19-24, Van 2 runners may shower (Van 2's only shower), rest and eat at Canada College. At Exchange 28, Van 1 runners may call Van 2 runners to be sure they are on their way to the 5th Van Exchange (Exchange 30), Hwy. 9 at Hwy. 35 via Van Route 5.

5th Van Exchange (Exchange 30) After their last legs, Van 1 runners must travel Hwy. 17 to the Finish in Santa Cruz via Van Route 6. Runners should join their final runner on the beach and finish as a team.