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Limited number of charity teams still available through American Cancer Society
KAYSVILLE, Utah - (March 3, 2010) - The Ragnar Relay Series, the nation's premier provider of overnight running relay races, is on its way to another record-setting year. On the heels of Ragnar Relay Del Sol sellout in Arizona, the series' signature race Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back has sold out five months prior to the start of the race.
Wasatch Back is Ragnar Relay's original event, created by Utah natives Dan Hill and Tanner Bell. Hill's father had a dream of creating a running relay in the Wasatch Mountains which Dan and childhood friend Tanner Bell turned into a reality in 2004.
The series had already projected a 100 percent increase, so it was no surprise that more than 12,000 runners will be at the start in Logan on June 18th. In 2010, it is projected that 40,000 runners will participate in one or more of the 12 Ragnar Relays across the country.
"These sellouts are an indication of the growing demand of overnight endurance races," said Bell. "Ragnar Relay and the runners of Utah have a sense of pride that they are a part of the Wasatch Back Relay, the race that got us started and has help fuel a movement that has brought a new type of fun to running.
Each leg of a Ragnar Race varies in difficulty so elite and novice runners can run together in teams. Each team is responsible for providing two support vehicles, with six runners in each vehicle. The first vehicle drops off the first runner and drives ahead to the first exchange point. Teams repeat this pattern for six legs until they hand off to their second vehicle. This leapfrogging pattern continues day and night all the way to the much anticipated finish line.
The relay will cover 188 miles of Utah's most beautiful terrain. The race begins in Logan where runners will traverse through the gentle rolling hills of Cache Valley. Once through the valley, there will be a steady climb through the Avon Pass followed by a steep downhill into the Ogden Valley. Overall, runners will journey up and down in elevation through canyons and the Wasatch Mountains. Once runners reach the maximum altitude of nearly 9,000 feet at Guardsman Pass, they will steeply descend into picturesque Park City and to the finish line at The Canyons Resort.
This year, Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back has named the American Cancer Society (ACS) the official race charity. Even though the race sold out, ACS has 10 additional "DetermiNation" teams they will be filling up prior to race day. To be eligible to receive an ACS "DetermiNation" entry teams must commits to raise a minimum of $4200 for the American Cancer Society.
Individual runners can also donate $350 and receive a VIP experience package for before, during and after the Wasatch Back race. Benefits include discounts to local running stores, exclusive sleeping areas along the course, massages, and a private American Cancer Society hosted party at The Canyons 5 Star Resort in Park City following the race.
"We selected the American Cancer Society to be our official charity so we can do more than just have fun and exercise," said Hill. "The partnership will create awareness of the disease and encourage participants to get healthy and stay healthy."
Teams can also donate $120 and the American Cancer Society will provide a volunteer to help each team fulfill their volunteer responsibility for the race.
"The American Cancer Society is very excited to be a part of one of Utah's most anticipated events, an overnight relay like Wasatch Back is a wonderful way to show people that cancer doesn't sleep," said Joel Kincart, American Cancer Society Vice President, Central Region. "Ragnar Relays not only encourage people to exercise, but to get their friends out there with them. This relay will not only get people active, but will raise money and bring new volunteers into the American Cancer Society family."
For more information about ACS DetermiNation Teams, visit: http://determination.acsevents.org/wasatchback
Visit www.ragnarrelay.com for race dates and exact locations - and don't forget to sign up for Ragnar Relay's Northwest Passage, coming through NW Washington July 23-24!