Relay Iowa

What is the history of Relay Iowa? The founder of Relay Iowa is our race director, Bill Raine.  In 2009, Bill joined a group of people traveling to Welkom, South Africa to spend two weeks working at an orphanage.  He was so moved by his experience and the children and adults he met that when he returned home he decided to organize a fundraiser to support them.  As a participant in marathons and triathlons (including an Ironman), he was interested in putting together an event that was adventurous, unique, and somewhat extreme…and Relay Iowa was born!

Is this event only for ultra runners? No, the neat thing about Relay Iowa is that it can be tailored for almost any running ability through the size of your team.  As one ultra marathoner put it, “For us hard-core types, it’s a huge challenge to do it with a team of four.  But for twelve-person teams, it is definitely do-able with a little training as it amounts to about 28 miles per person over three days.  So, it’s an event that can appeal to the ultra runner and also to the person who runs five miles a day.”  If each person on a twelve-person team ran six-mile legs, you would run for about an hour and then have eleven hours off to rest and recover before running again.

How should we coordinate our vehicles? Regarding number and type of vehicles, there are various arrangements that have worked for teams in the past based on team size and how hard you want to push yourselves.   A large team might have two big vans or three smaller ones.  More vehicles means more time off to rest in between your runs.  A non-running driver is a good idea, although not required unless your team has less than six runners.

What can you tell us about the route? The "Course Map" tab on this website will show you the entire route from Sioux City to Dubuque.  The "Course Breakdown" tab provides you with a more detailed map, broken down between the twelve checkpoints.  When you click on one of the legs in the Course Breakdown, you will find information such as a description of the terrain, road conditions with gravel and dirt roads indicated (with alternate routes in case of rain), distance between checkpoints, and altitude.  We work with state and local officials, always keeping them "in the loop" as we plan, and the route is revised slightly each year in an effort to improve your safety and enjoyment.  Teams will also be given a Team Handbook which will include maps, directions, amenities at checkpoints including food, showers, bathrooms, grills, and electrical service for campers, and points of interest.

Can my friends and family at home keep track of my team’s progress throughout the weekend? Yes, each team will be given a timing chip with GPS to pass from runner to runner that can be followed through the MyAthlete Live website and spectator app.  Home viewers can login at www.myathletelive.com to "watch" teams' progress from their computer.  From the website you can view all of the Relay Iowa teams.  To use a cell phone or handheld device, download the "MyAthlete Live Tracker" spectator app.  This will allow you to view up to five teams during the run.  (Teams can also use this to track their own runners throughout the weekend.)

What is included in my registration fee? Each registered runner will receive a Relay Iowa t-shirt, sticker, and framed finishers' picture.  Runners will also be treated to a spaghetti dinner on Friday night, breakfast on Saturday morning and a cookout at the finish line.  One runner called it the best value available in running events (especially at 3 cents/mile!)

Can I raise additional money for Restoring Hope International (the South African orphanage)? Yes.  When your team registers, you will be given the option to set up a Sponsorship page which you can pass on to friends and family to donate.  This is a great way for others to show support for your effort.

I really want to participate but can’t find enough people to form a team.  Can you help? We often hear that and would be happy to help you get connected with other teams that need more people.  Please contact us or go to our Facebook page for more information.

Can you suggest any hotels along the route? We will have a block of rooms reserved at the Holiday Inn in Sioux City for June 6, 2013, the night before the run starts.  This hotel, on Gordon Dr., is less than 2 miles from the starting point.   Rooms can be reserved by calling 712-277-9400.  The Team Handbook will also list other hotels along the route.  (This is not to say that hotels are necessary.  Most teams choose to sleep in tents, at checkpoints, and in cars.)