Posted: March 5, 2007

Athletics: Ragnar Relay Series presented by NordicTrack Announced

MIDVALE, Utah - (March 1, 2007) - Over the last 3 years the national running community has seen the explosive growth of a new type of event, the overnight relay race. The overnight relay race generally covers 170 to 200 miles, involves 10 to 12 runners on a team, and requires each participant to run 3 alternating legs of 3 to 8 miles over a 20-30 hour period. Ragnar Events, LLC has been leading the way in relay racing and has announced the Ragnar Relay series presented by NordicTrack, the nation's largest series of overnight relay races. The series includes the Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back in Utah, the Ragnar Relay Great River in Minnesota, the Ragnar Relay Del Sol in Arizona and the new Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage in Washington State. "Our goal from the beginning has been to provide participants with a premier series of unforgettable relay adventures. We knew eventually we would accomplish that goal, but we are amazed that it has happened so quickly," said Dan Hill, Director of Race Operations for Ragnar Events. "By partnering with NordicTrack, the international leader in fitness equipment and fitness apparel we've been able to go from a single relay with almost 300 participants to 4 relays in 4 states with an expected participation of 10,000 participants this year." Ragnar Events' first race, the Wasatch Back Relay, began only 4 years ago and has grown dramatically since. "We started the Wasatch Back Relay with a $1000 and attracted 260 participants," said Hill. Within one year, the Wasatch Back Relay became the fastest growing relay in the nation. Now in its fourth year, the Wasatch Back Relay has changed its name to the Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back and is on pace to be the second largest overnight relay in the nation. "We have taken relay racing to a new level. From live bands along the course, to flawless course logistics, to the technical running tees and custom finisher medals provided to participants, everything we do is aimed at providing participants with an unforgettable relay adventure. We thought it was time for the rest of the nation to experience an overnight relay 'Ragnar style'," said Tanner Bell, Director of Race Development for Ragnar Events. The Ragnar Relay Series is attracting the attention of some of running's most distinguished athletes. "First and foremost, it's the fun factor and the adventure involved in this type of event. It is not the ordinary 5K or 10K you've done a million times," said Olympic Marathoner Ed Eyestone. When asked why the Ragnar Relay series has experienced such remarkable growth he continued, "Distance running can become a selfish pursuit because you are always concerned with how fast you run, or beating your personal record. These events are unique because they infuse the team component and instead of running for yourself you are running for your team members." The organizers of Ragnar Events have taken this "team" approach a step further by teaming up with the national children's charity Operation Kids. Ragnar Events works closely with Operation Kids to ensure that funds raised through any Ragnar Relay directly benefit children in that area. For more information about the Ragnar Relay series, visit RagnarRelay.com or call the Ragnar Relay hotline at (877) 83-RELAY. Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director (805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016 Ryan@RunningUSA.org www.RunningUSA.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest