A Relay Movie In Production: From Fat to Finish Captures Amazing Stories
- Created on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 10:51
Twelve strangers. Twelve hundred pounds of weight loss. Two hundred miles of running. One kickass story.
The realization hit team member Jennifer Roe like a ton of bricks. Her instincts as a filmmaker told her that this journey with eleven fellow runners would make for a fascinating documentary, the kind that has potential to change lives.
The idea to form a relay team of folks with successful weight loss stories grew from a simple thank you. Rik Akey had lost a significant amount of weight through running and healthy eating, so much so that he decided to have surgery to remove extra skin after his weight loss. While researching the procedure online, his wife discovered Katie's Runs for Cookies blog which chronicled her same surgery and recovery. After using her blog as a guide, he wanted to thank her. They soon struck up an online friendship.
As they chatted, they realized that they shared a love of relays. Rik had run Hood to Coast and Ragnar Chicago, while Katie had run Ragnar Great River in 2010. Rik shared his idea to build a team of people who had all lost significant weight; Katie responded with enthusiasm and the names of enough people to fill several teams. Jen was one of the first invitees, and as she learned more about her fellow teammates, she realized that she had this great story that brought her passions together in one compelling story. The transformational stories of these runners needed to be told; their journey could inspire so many.
The twelve runners on this special team come from across the country, and they all have their own tale to tell. From Jen's (Miles, Muscles & Mommyhood's) journey to triathlete, to Ada Wong's journey on the Biggest Loser, to John's inspirational influence on Sparkpeople or Andrea's appearance on Oprah, these folks all have interesting back stories.
In Jennifer's own words:
"I think what's most compelling is that we range in age from early 20's to mid-40's from single to married with kids. Some of us work, others are stay at home moms - we span the country from San Diego, CA to Maine - yet we all found a way to make major lifestyle change, we all were on a path to poor health, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension. We, like the rest of America all thought at one time, "Run? Me? Never." But each of us found a small kernel of hope. We took the chance on ourselves. We found the courage to change. We hit bumps in the road but persevered. We went from not being able to run, to being able to run a little and now ultimately we'll be running for 200 miles as a team. We are not overnight success stories. It took me 3 years to lose my weight. But we did it. We are ordinary Americans. We aren't wealthy, didn't have anything special handed to us. We didn't use diet pills or get surgery. We just worked and never gave up. That's something that is in all of us. Everyone can do what we did. We hope that message will prevail."
Rik chose the Ragnar Florida Keys race on January 4-5, 2012 for their relay debut. The warm, scenic locale appealed to the runners from the colder climates, and for teammate Ada Wong, it holds special significance. When Ada was chosen to go on the Biggest Loser, she gave up a trip with friends to the Florida Keys. To return in such a triumphant way will bring her journey full circle.
Regardless of how they get to the start line, it is clear that this team of strangers will already be friends. They will share the triumphs and trials that only a relay can bring - the night runs, the silly jokes, the aches and pains of running three times in 27 hours. As the camera rolls and together they cross the finish line, their amazing story will be told. And in the telling, hopefully they will inspire future teams to begin their own journey towards greater health and running adventures.
To learn about and follow this fantastic project, please check out their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter.
Run a Relay In All 50 States
- Created on Wednesday, 25 April 2012 10:49
Marathoners and half marathoners can collect races in all 50 states, so I wondered if relay runners could too. Turns out you can run a relay in all 50 states (yes, even Alaska and Hawaii), and most of them are longer than 50 miles. So if you are looking for a unique challenge, set the goal of running a relay in every state or participating in all overnight relays in your area.
Please note that this is a work in progress. If you have a relay to add to this list, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and share what you know.
Run to the Sun Relay Raises Awareness of Batten Disease
- Created on Tuesday, 24 April 2012 11:02
This Saturday evening, teams of six to eight people will start a 95 mile journey relay from Enchanted Rock State Park, just outside of Crabapple, Texas to the Laguna Gloria historic site in Austin, Texas for a breakfast celebration. Considering the Texas heat, an overnight relay makes perfect sense, and it gives participants a chance to enjoy running under the stars without having to spend all weekend doing so. Jay Hilscher, race director for the Texas Independence Relay, is managing the event.
While the Run to the Sun Relay is one of just a handful of short night races, what intrigued me more is that it is a fundraiser for an organization raising awareness for Batten Disease - a condition unknown to me. I learned that Batten Disease is a blanket designation for a number of conditions known as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs). It is an inherited, neurological degenerative disorder that primarily affects children. It strikes without warning, starts with vision loss and seizures, progressively impairs the child’s cognitive and motor capacities, and ultimately takes their lives. The Beyond Batten Disease Foundation helps raise funds to find a cure for this heartbreaking condition as well as blood tests for genetic mutations for this and other rare genetic diseases.
If you would like to learn more about this year’s Run to the Sun Relay, please be sure to check out their Facebook page or website.
Team Captain Tips: Do We Need A Relay Van Driver?
- Created on Monday, 23 April 2012 12:50
Managing a relay team is a bit like herding cats - it’s a tricky job that requires all kinds of nimble thinking. Questions of how to recruit, organize and manage a relay team can send even the most reasonable person into a frenzy of activity. But never fear. Relayguide.com is here to help you iron out the fine points of team management and determine the best plan for your next relay race.
A question that is sure to come up as you plan your next relay adventure is whether or not you need dedicated van drivers. A van driver can be a lifesaver in a crowded race, but he or she can also take up valuable van space and be difficult to recruit. You may incur additional expenses for lodging and thank you gifts. Here are a few questions to ask to help you determine whether or not you should find a dedicated van driver:
1. How many teams are in the race?
The bigger the race, the bigger the driving headache. In a relay like Hood to Coast or Ragnar Wasatch Back where you are dealing with 1000+ teams, exchange points are going to be crazy. Alert van drivers help keep everyone safe, and they help the runners focus on running. In a crowded race, a van driver can be a godsend.
