International Team Relays
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

Over the past four years, the International Team Relays has been one of the most popular Free Press Marathon events. Each year the capacity level has been raised and it still sold out.   By next week, this should happen again, as 525 of the 550 slots are taken.

Teams can include as few as three members but the majority of teams have five. It's been a fun way to be part of the marathon and enjoy tremendous camaraderie.   Creative teams, such as Ten Feet Under, Luscious Lavender Ladies and I Run 4 Beer are fun to watch. Corporations (18 teams have signed up from Merrill Lynch) find it a great way to involve employees and provide incentive for fitness goals.

Corporate division teams have swelled the field but many others compete in open, masters, university, college, high school and Law/Medicine categories.

The event starts at 7:15 am on the east side of Washington Avenue along side the half marathoners. With the exception of exchange three, all runners are bussed to their drop off points.   Runners will board the buses in front of the Fox Theatre beginning at 5:55 am.

Bus departure is 20 minutes earlier this year. There are over 2,500 relay runners and they have less than one hour to get on the buses to arrive at their destinations on time.  

Each relay is timed by using one chip attached by Velcro strap to the runner's ankle. A few might save a couple of seconds by carrying it with them and sweeping it along the timing mat at each exchange.

Relay Director Dennis Handley has a number of suggestions for relay mates:

"I would recommend that runners wear something old that they can throw away at the exchange to keep warm while waiting for their runner.   They should also have a uniquely marked bag of clothing for the incoming runner to find when entering the relay run-in location. As with marathon runners, all teams may check-in bags at the start of the race. These items will be available at Ford Field finish."

"Water and Gatorade is available at all the relay exchanges.   Runners that want something to eat should plan to bring it to the exchange.   Also, it might be helpful if they brought food for their arriving relay team member after they've completed their leg."

"Team members need to remember to show proper etiquette and remain in or behind their respective relay corral until their team member enters the exchange. There are enough distractions on the course and plenty of room behind the corrals to have fun."   

All members of the team, including the final runner, can reunite at the last gathering point on Brush near Gratiot to be able to run to the finish line together. Shuttle buses from the earlier exchanges do their best to get runners back for this opportunity.

Watching teams cross the line hand in hand is one of the highlights for the Ford Field spectators, especially when they are wearing matching uniforms.

This year, all team members should plan to pick up their race number at the expo and have identification when doing so.

Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226