WELCOME TO THE RELAY WALK

DEAR VOLUNTEER,
"California's Longest Party" is on - from Marin, through Sausalito, across the Golden Gate Bridge, 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 128-mile course boasts the largest number of tourist destinations of any walk.

Teams are comprised of 12 members, each walking two legs in rotation. The 24 legs through 28 cities are 3 to 7 miles and rated from easy to very hard allowing walkers to select legs that match their strengths. Walkers 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 and walkers 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 WALK
Much has changed since 1927, yet similarities remain. Showcasing the San Francisco area through five counties, five teams walked from Marin to Santa Cruz. Walkers dance along the way. The "waiting for the porta-potty" dance is especially popular.

WITH ORGANS 'R' US ("ORU"), THE RELAY PROMOTES DONATION
The transfer of the baton from walker to walker symbolizes the transfer of an organ from donor to recipient. The 2005-2006 Relay Walks were dedicated to three-year-old Katalina Thang who waited for the tiny donor to save her. On Sept. 4, 2006, Katalina received a heart and new lungs. The 2007-2008 Relay Walks are dedicated to finding eight-year-old Shawn Stockwell a new heart. During The 2005-2007 Relay Walks, Raaj Gopal, walked 128 miles solo on team One for 128 for his wife, Gilda Vallente, who received two kidneys on February 5, 2006.

SUPPORT 98,000 AMERICANS WAITING FOR ORGANS
by discussing your personal wishes regarding organ donation with your family. Since 18 die each day before an organ is available, build a webpage to solicit credit card donations and/or ask your employer to match a contribution to ORU.

THANKS FOR VOLUNTEERING (even at 2 am , OUCH!)
and joining 28 cities, 5 counties, 30 law enforcement agencies, 20 property owners, 20 sponsors and thousands of runners and walkers. The race is a unique adventure uniting communities, athletes and volunteers in a celebration of life, walking and teamwork while promoting the need for organ donors. Your 4-5 hour commitment helps provide a safe and fair race. We wish you good health and a fun, satisfying experience while relaying the message on organ donation.

The Relay Committee