The 195.4 mile Ragnar Chicago course started in Madison, WI, and ended at Montrose Beach in Lincoln Park.
The route was divided into 36 legs of varying difficulty and distances between 3-11 miles, with designed exchange points. The teams consisted of 6-12 individuals split evenly into two vans.
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- Sarah O. - Legs: 1, 13, 25
- Ken - Legs: 2, 14, 26
- Emily - Legs: 3, 15, 27
- Boyana - Legs: 4, 16, 28
- Craig - Legs: 5, 17, 29
- Caroline - Legs: 6, 18, 30
- Krishna (Team Captain aka 'The General') - Legs: 7, 19, 31
- Mary - Legs: 8, 20, 32
- Todd - Legs: 9, 21, 33
- Sarah B. -Legs: 10, 22, 34
- Jay - Legs: 11, 23, 35
- Jim - Legs: 12, 24, 36
R.U.N.sane?'s official pace was a 9:37 minute mile (all teams must average an 11:00 minute mile or less). We were assigned an 8:00 am race start and our estimated finish was 3:58 pm the following afternoon.
Van 2 went directly to Exchange 6 at Lake Mills High School in Lake Mills, WI, for the requisite safety check with our respective headlamps, reflective vests, and flashing lights.
Jay either volunteered or was nominated to be the official R.U.N.sane? Van 2 Safety Offic
Despite the heat, my first leg was an easy 2.9 miles and on an uphill, I managed to get a roadkill. Tallying up roadkills on the side of the team van are a Ragnar tradition and each hash indicates a runner you passed.
After our first hand off back to Van 1, we stopped for dinner at Jose's Blue Sombrero in Racine, WI.
Then, we parked the van at Exchange 18 at Martin Luther High School in Greendale, WI, and tried to get some sleep.
It was soon time for Team Captain Krishna to head back out for Leg 19.
The night leg is always the highlight for me because I love running in the dark.
Exchange 24 was at John Pershing Park in Racine, WI. The Racine YMCA offered shower facilities for $2.
We parked the van along the Lake Michigan waterfront.
The final hand off from Van 1 to 2 was at Exchange 30 at North Chicago High School.
A local non-profit organization, Bernie's Book Bank, held a pancake and sausage fundraiser. A plate of 3 pancakes and 3 sausages was $3.
Leg 3 seems to always be the most challenging because by this time, the exhaustion has set in, and you are anxious to cross the finish line because you're dreaming of a hot shower, a comfortable bed, and real food - and not necessarily in that order.
We enthusiastically cheered as we ran through the finish arch in the sand.
Our captain, Krishna, ceremoniously slipped the Ragnar finishing medals over our heads and we proudly gathered for our final R.U.N.sane? group photo.
Thank you Jay, Jimmy, Krishna, and Todd, for being awesome van-mates.
I also need to thank the Weather Gods for the perfect temperatures and low humidity.
*Van 2 wouldn't let me forget that I misspelled 'officer' when I was decorating the van.
Sounds like a fun relay! Beautiful sunrise you captured.
ReplyDeleteUnless you're at a higher elevation, it's rare to see good, unobstructed sun rises on the West Coast so I was very grateful to be able to witness that sun rise.
DeleteI always love your reports, and this one was great! My wife and I have thought about a relay like this (she's actually ran a shorter one). They always look like so much fun. Your report makes me want to run one even more - great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jim! I wasn't initially interested in running relays but once I did one, I was hooked!
DeleteLooks like Chicago was a fun course! I just finished Niagara! They are just such FUN races!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool that you did the inaugural Niagara! It's definitely on my 'to do' list.
DeleteSounds like you had a blast. The nighttime leg is also my favorite run.
ReplyDeleteYeay for night running!
DeleteGREEN GIRL! We had such a good time representing all the pint size cali-girls! Can't wait to do it again:0
ReplyDeleteI know! I want to do all the Ragnars now!
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