| Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage The Ragnar Relay series is proud to announce the newest addition to the series, the Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage. This 189-mile adventure-fest along the unbelievably beautiful Washington Coast will begin in the seaside town of Blaine and head south through the cities of Bellingham, Mount Vernon, and La Conner. As if that weren’t enough the Northwest Passage leaves the mainland as it winds through Fidalgo Island, passes over the world famous Deception Pass Bridge, and finishes on the southeastern tip of Whidbey Island. The Northwest Passage is a 12-teammate, 24-hour, overnight relay race, the genesis of which began way back in 1987. In 1987 Steve Hill participated in an overnight relay race in Oregon. Since then Steve packed around in his mind the idea of staging a grand relay similar to the one he ran. He thought about it on his nearly daily runs, and on quite a few car trips, plane rides and nights before he dozed off to sleep. The idea of an overnight running event with 12-person teams covering designated legs over a spectacularly scenic stretch of rural roadways was on Steve's mind for a very long time. In late 2003 Steve Hill was waxing eloquent yet again about his dream. At which point his 23-year-old son, Dan, came up with a novel idea. "Dad," he said, "let's just do it." Dan recruited childhood friend Tanner Bell and together they launched the Wasatch Back Relay, a wild 170-mile overnight relay race from Logan to Park City, Utah. “Overnight relays have been growing in popularity for the past decade even though they have all been relatively low budget. We love the sport but we wanted to take it to the next level. So we invest a lot of money to put on fantastic, high quality, events. Our theory being "if you build it they will come" said Tanner Bell, Director of Race Development. The theory seems to be working. The Wasatch Back Relay has been an overwhelming success, and quickly became the fastest growing overnight relay in the country. Three years later Steve, Dan, and Tanner decided to take the concept national so they created the Ragnar Relay series. This series includes the Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back (originally the Wasatch Back Relay) in Utah, the Ragnar Relay Great River in Minnesota, the Ragnar Relay Del Sol in Arizona, and most recently the Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage. When asked how it feels to have a Ragnar Relay in Washington, Steve said “I couldn’t be happier. My dream has truly come full circle. We have been working very hard for a long time to ensure that this event will live up to the Ragnar name and provide runners with an amazing relay experience. I can’t wait for Washington to experience the overnight relay Ragnar style.” NordicTrack Weight-Loss Challenge
If you are a Wasatch Back team and you would like to compete in the NordicTrack Weight-Loss Challenge send an email to tanner@ragnarrelay.com and tell us why your team should be selected. Make sure to include your team name and number. Applications for the NordicTrack Weight-Loss Challenge will be accepted until February 25th. Apply now for your chance to compete. |
Series Updates
RAGNAR RELAY DEL SOL Ragnar Relay Del Sol late registration ends on Feb. 28th. The Del Sol currently has 65 teams registered and is on pace to be the largest first year Ragnar Relay ever. Register now before it is too late. RAGNAR RELAY WASATCH BACK
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| Featured Team - Twisted
Chickens
Team Twisted Chickens embodies the spirit of Ragnar... wild, fun, slightly crazy and always ready for a challenge. Perhaps you remember the middle of the night block party during the Great River last August. As Paul tells it, "it was the middle of the night when we pulled up to an exchange crowded with exhausted zombie-like runners. Being the Twisted Chickens that we are, we took it upon ourselves to liven things up with a little music. Of course our van was tricked out with speakers from the 1980's. They worked about as good as my knees after running my third leg, but that didn't matter, in a matter of minutes the zombie-like runners were dancing like it was 1999." 
While reminiscing, Paul commented "The Great River was an amazing experience. It gives you a chance to get to know your team and the teams you are running with. By the time you are done you feel like you have a hundred new friends. You have the opportunity to support each other and most importantly, harass each other." Team Twisted Chickens is made up of people from all different walks of life. But they all have one thing in common, they are looking forward to the 2007 Ragnar Relay Great River. Editors Note: You may have noticed that the Twisted Chickens’ “van” is actually a bus (something normally against the rules). Paul contacted us prior to the race and explained that the bus was only 1 foot longer than the designated 20 feet. After he showed us pictures of the bus we felt it was far too cool to exclude. If you have similar fun, wild, or crazy vehicles please contact us for permission to use them. |
If
you have seen this wacky blue bus with chickens hanging out the window
then you were either running the Great River or experimenting with mind-altering
drugs. The bus belongs to team "Twisted Chickens". If you don't know them introduce yourself at the next
Great River. They are a rolling party bus complete with music, dancing, and plenty of rubber chickens to go around. When asked where the
team name Twisted Chickens originated Team Captain Paul Smith simply
stated "A menu". Paul and some teammates were out to dinner
one night debating what the team name should be. They opened the
menu and came across Twisted Chicken Pasta. Someone asked "How
about the Twisted Chickens?" and the rest is history.
| Featured Sponsor: KSL Channel 5
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