Tri State
Runners ready for ‘spectacular finish’
American Odyssey Relay set for April 23-24 start in Gettysburg, Pa.
Photos
By Kevin Spradlin
TriStateRunnur.com
FREDERICK, Md., Feb. 20 – During the inaugural American Odyssey Relay last April, each team of 12 runners experienced the highs and lows – literally – of just how fickle regional weather can be at that time of year.
Early the first day, it was 44 degrees at 7 a.m. at the starting line in Gettysburg, Pa., and over the next 12 hours or so, temperatures ranged between a high of a comfortable 68 to an overnight low of 58.
Then came Saturday morning. Then the blazing hot sun of the afternoon – and a high of 94 degrees.
“People were jumping into the C&O Canal,” said race director Bob Fleshner on Saturday during a 90-minute American Odyssey Relay rally at If The Shoe Fits shoe shop in Frederick. Runners came from Cumberland, Chambersburg, Hagerstown, Frederick and Damascus to hear Fleshner and have their questions answered. “It was the warmest day (of 2009) until July 26.”
The American Odyssey Relay is a 202-mile journey to be completed by well over 1,000 runners who participate on teams of six (ultra) or 12 (regular). Each of the 12 runners complete their legs (36 legs total) ranging between about 3.5 and 8 miles.
Flesher spoke to more than a dozen returning and rookie relay runners at the running specialty store, located along the Golden Mile in east Frederick. He spoke while temperatures warmed up enough to begin melting what’s left of more than 2 feet of snow – a situation that presents a whole new situation for this year’s relay runners.
“We’re wondering if there will be a little patch of snow somewhere on relay day,” Fleshner said. “It wouldn’t shock me if there is.”
From start to finish, however – despite the possible bit of snow here and there – runners and spectators will be treated to scenic and historic scenes from start (the Civil War battlefields of Gettysburg) to finish (near the Jefferson Memorial). In between, harriers will conquer Michaux State Forest, Antietam Battlefield and the C&O Canal towpath, among many other well-known sites.
Along with the primary goal of having fun, Fleshner emphasized safety and the importance of volunteers, whom he called the event’s “life blood.”
Fleshner also was there to dispel myths or fix rumors. He said that, despite the entry fee of $90 per runner (early entry), runners are responsible for their own provisions during the event.
“You gotta bring your own food,” Fleshner said. “There are no aid stations. We couldn’t logistically (or) financially do it. You are responsible for your own water, peanut butter and jelly, trail mix and everything else. You gotta eat during a relay. You are not gonna live on Gu and trail mix.”
Fleshner made a distinction between teams vying for an age group or division award and those simply out for fun. He said if a participant from a run-for-fun team goes off course, they can accept a ride back to where they were with no penalty. An athlete from a team in-it-to-win-it, however, can not.
One rule he’ll be a stickler on throughout the event is the use of iPods and other personal music listening devices, although even the toughness of that rule ebbs and flows between night and day.
Running on the towpath during the day with an iPod, Fleshner said with shrugged shoulders, probably wouldn’t get his attention.
“If you run during the day on the roads with an iPod … I really, really don’t like it,” he said. “If you run at night with an iPod, my son and daughter will have a new iPod. I will take it away from you and I will be angry … I will stop you right on the spot. You’re out of your mind if you do that.”
Fleshner said his insurance requirements prohibit runners from wearing those devices in such situations. However, any confiscated iPod would be returned at the beginning of the next leg.
For more information, log on to www.americanodysseyrelay.com.
Email Kevin at run@mountainMDmarathon.org.
American Odyssey Relay set for April 23-24 start in Gettysburg, Pa.
Photos
By Kevin Spradlin
TriStateRunnur.com
FREDERICK, Md., Feb. 20 – During the inaugural American Odyssey Relay last April, each team of 12 runners experienced the highs and lows – literally – of just how fickle regional weather can be at that time of year.
Early the first day, it was 44 degrees at 7 a.m. at the starting line in Gettysburg, Pa., and over the next 12 hours or so, temperatures ranged between a high of a comfortable 68 to an overnight low of 58.
Then came Saturday morning. Then the blazing hot sun of the afternoon – and a high of 94 degrees.
“People were jumping into the C&O Canal,” said race director Bob Fleshner on Saturday during a 90-minute American Odyssey Relay rally at If The Shoe Fits shoe shop in Frederick. Runners came from Cumberland, Chambersburg, Hagerstown, Frederick and Damascus to hear Fleshner and have their questions answered. “It was the warmest day (of 2009) until July 26.”
The American Odyssey Relay is a 202-mile journey to be completed by well over 1,000 runners who participate on teams of six (ultra) or 12 (regular). Each of the 12 runners complete their legs (36 legs total) ranging between about 3.5 and 8 miles.
Flesher spoke to more than a dozen returning and rookie relay runners at the running specialty store, located along the Golden Mile in east Frederick. He spoke while temperatures warmed up enough to begin melting what’s left of more than 2 feet of snow – a situation that presents a whole new situation for this year’s relay runners.
“We’re wondering if there will be a little patch of snow somewhere on relay day,” Fleshner said. “It wouldn’t shock me if there is.”
From start to finish, however – despite the possible bit of snow here and there – runners and spectators will be treated to scenic and historic scenes from start (the Civil War battlefields of Gettysburg) to finish (near the Jefferson Memorial). In between, harriers will conquer Michaux State Forest, Antietam Battlefield and the C&O Canal towpath, among many other well-known sites.
Along with the primary goal of having fun, Fleshner emphasized safety and the importance of volunteers, whom he called the event’s “life blood.”
Fleshner also was there to dispel myths or fix rumors. He said that, despite the entry fee of $90 per runner (early entry), runners are responsible for their own provisions during the event.
“You gotta bring your own food,” Fleshner said. “There are no aid stations. We couldn’t logistically (or) financially do it. You are responsible for your own water, peanut butter and jelly, trail mix and everything else. You gotta eat during a relay. You are not gonna live on Gu and trail mix.”
Fleshner made a distinction between teams vying for an age group or division award and those simply out for fun. He said if a participant from a run-for-fun team goes off course, they can accept a ride back to where they were with no penalty. An athlete from a team in-it-to-win-it, however, can not.
One rule he’ll be a stickler on throughout the event is the use of iPods and other personal music listening devices, although even the toughness of that rule ebbs and flows between night and day.
Running on the towpath during the day with an iPod, Fleshner said with shrugged shoulders, probably wouldn’t get his attention.
“If you run during the day on the roads with an iPod … I really, really don’t like it,” he said. “If you run at night with an iPod, my son and daughter will have a new iPod. I will take it away from you and I will be angry … I will stop you right on the spot. You’re out of your mind if you do that.”
Fleshner said his insurance requirements prohibit runners from wearing those devices in such situations. However, any confiscated iPod would be returned at the beginning of the next leg.
For more information, log on to www.americanodysseyrelay.com.
Email Kevin at run@mountainMDmarathon.org.
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American Odyssey Relay director Bob Fleshner talks with a runner about
signing up for the second event scheduled to begin April 23 in Gettysburg, Pa.
signing up for the second event scheduled to begin April 23 in Gettysburg, Pa.
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If The Shoe Fits representative Mary Zielinski, right, talks with
American Odyssey Relay coordinator Bob Fleshner about the April event on
Saturday in Frederick.
American Odyssey Relay coordinator Bob Fleshner about the April event on
Saturday in Frederick.
American Odyssey Relay coordinator Bob Fleshner talks with two runners,
including a first-year team captain, about the course logistics.
including a first-year team captain, about the course logistics.
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American Odyssey Relay set for April 23-24 start in Gettysburg, Pa.