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| The Genesis of the Ragnar Relay Series
In late 2003 Steve Hill was waxing eloquent about his dream yet again . 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 relay race from Logan to Park City, Utah. It started with just 22 teams in 2004, but by 2006 it claimed its position as one of the largest relay races in the nation. The unprecedented growth of the Wasatch Back Relay attracted adventure racer/entrepreneur Eric Jacobsen and his investment group Dolphin II. Eric, Steve, Dan, and Tanner hammered out the details of a partnership over a 4-day, 240-mile, bike ride around Hawaii's Big Island, and made the partnership official in June 2006. Soon after, Ragnar Events, LLC launched the Ragnar Relay Series, the nations largest series of overnight relay races. The series includes the Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back (Utah), Ragnar Relay Great River (Minnesota/Wisconsin), Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage (Washington State), and the Ragnar Relay Del Sol (Arizona). At any given race Dan and Tanner are easy to spot, just look for the bloodshot eyes. They work around the clock before, during, and after each relay to ensure that it lives up to the Ragnar name. Eric can usually be found participating in the race. He is that crazy guy cheering you on at 2:00 am, and 3:00 am, and probably 4:00 am. Steve you will find blending in with participants, joining in conversations, and basking in the glow of what his dream has become. Providing you with an unforgettable relay adventure is our passion. We love what we do and we do it well, because for us it is a dream come true. Free Massage for all Wasatch Backers Knead a Massage, a proud sponsor of the Wasatch Back, is providing all Wasatch Back participants with a free 30-minute massage. Call now to schedule your appointment.
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Series Updates 312 teams are registered for the Wasatch Back! This race continues to grow at unprecedented levels. Thanks for your support. A Team Captain Meeting
will be held on Wednesday, June 13th at 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held at: RAGNAR RELAY NORTHWEST PASSAGE Skagit, Deception, Fidalgo, Whidbey. Unusual names, killer places to run. The Northwest Passage is the newest race in the Ragnar Relay Series and already has 44 teams (528 participants) registered. Late Registration ends on June 30th. Register now for this 189-mile adventure-fest. Click here for more registration information. RAGNAR RELAY GREAT RIVER With 70 teams (840 participants) already registered the Great River is on pace for 120 teams (1440 participants). This traveling party will blow you away. Regular Registration ends on June 15th so get your team together and don't miss this amazing race! Click here for registration info. RAGNAR RELAY DEL SOLBased on your feedback we plan to move the date of the Del Sol to the end of February (exact dates to be announced). This will improve the odds of cool weather, reduce the amount of events going on at the same time, and minimize the amount of traffic on bush highway. We recently met with the Arizona Department of Transportation to discuss the various safety improvements that were suggested. We are encouraged by the outcome of these meetings and are confident we can comply with your suggestions. |
Since the mid 80's, Steve Hill packed around in his mind the dream of staging a grand relay in Utah. 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 had been on Steve's mind for a very long time.
| Featured
Sponsor : Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
The Northwestern Mutual Company is celebrating 150 years of
serving its clients and community, a history of service almost as
long in years as the Wasatch Back is long in miles (178). Northwestern’s
belief is in its Network, a committed team of individuals and specialists
who put the needs of those they serve first. This is what has kept
it strong and growing through the Civil War, Two World Wars, The Great
Depression and most recently the turn of the 21st Century. Not
many companies have that kind of endurance, the kind you need for
the Wasatch Back. As a race sponsor, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, of Utah, is headed by Managing Partner Roger McQueen. His race team includes 3 sons and 3 daughters-in-law. Other team captains and members of the original 2004 team include Chad Butler, Jeff Lewis, Jeremy Barlow. Cory Mahaffey and Scott Phillips, who ran last year, have also put together a team. Individuals from Northwestern's offices in Salt Lake, Clearfield, South Jordan and Provo will be participating this year. While there is always the spirit of competition among these teams, they will be there to support each other in the Wasatch Back just like they do every day. We hope that all 312 Wasatch Back teams have a successful race. See you on race day and night and day, and hopefully not in your rear view mirror. |
| Featured Team - Fairhaven
Runners
"I am looking forward to the sharing this experience with 12 people. We are not elite runners so it is more about having fun. It will be fun to see areas of the course at different times of the day. We have run in a lot of these areas, but it will be fun to see some of the areas at sunset, or during the night, or first thing in the morning.” We asked Polly what made them want to participate in the Northwest Passage. "Many of our team members have participated in relay races, but most of them are far away. When they heard about a relay in our backyard we were ready to run." When asked what she was most looking forward to with this race, Polly said, “The beauty of this area is unsurpassed. The combination of mountains and saltwater views is a great way of showcasing this part of the state. The course has an excellent variety of flat areas and hills. Whidbey Island is a great place to run, and obviously Deception Pass is a big part of the route.” Thanks to Fairhaven Runners for their support of the Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage. If you are not yet registered for this event, there is still time. Late registration closes on June 30th. |
Fairhaven Runners is a running store located
in the Fairhaven Historic District in Bellingham, Washington. Their store is just one block from
the Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage course route. The team is made up of current and former employees of the store and some of their spouses and friends. Polly Favinger is the team captain
and the apparel manager for Fairhaven Runners. We spent a minute chatting with her and asking her what
most excited her about the Northwest Passage.
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