September 1, 2007
Course Changes and Sold Out Field Bring New Excitement to America’s Longest Adventure Relay Race “200 Miles in 24 Hours”
Hopkinton, Mass - A field of approximately 4200 amateur athletes are making final preparations for the ultimate road test — The Ninth Annual Reach the Beach Relay. At 203 miles, the running adventure relay is one of the nation’s longest distance race of its kind. Highlights of the upcoming race include: a new race start location at Cannon Mountain; and course modifications, including the incorporation of the Kancamagus Highway into the race course. A portion of profits from the race will benefit the New Hampshire State Parks and community organizations along the race route
“The selection of Cannon Mountain as our new start location will serve to strengthen our relationship with the State Parks,” said Mike Dionne, RTB Relay co-founder. In all, the relay passes through 5 New Hampshire state parks. Since 1999 the relay has donated approximately $40,000 to the NH State Parks system.
The race course is comprised of 36 segments or “legs”, covering a variety of terrain and difficulty levels, from fast and flat to steep and winding. From its start at Cannon Mountain in Franconia Notch, the race will head south through Franconia Notch and then east through the White Mountain National Forest along the Kancamagus Highway, known for its spectacular panoramic views of the White Mountains. This change in course was made possible with the assistance of the White Mountain National Forest and the United States Forest Service. As the miles race by, the mountain scenery gives way to valleys, lakes and small New England villages in full foliage splendor. The competitors race southward through the night toward the New Hampshire seashore, and run the final ten miles of the course on route 1A alongside the Atlantic, to the finish at Hampton Beach State Park.
Runners generally compete in teams of 12, rotating through the legs as they cover the 203-mile course. There are 18 different team categories, including men's, women's, mixed, and age groups. More than 100 "core" staff and 500-600 volunteers, medical personnel and local police are involved in choreographing a safe and successful race. All participants of the race receive a finisher’s medal, commemorative T-shirt, team photo and post-race party.
The 2007 race — sold out at 370 teams — has drawn an increasing amount of interest from industry sponsors.
Level One race partner, Timberland Inc., based in Stratham, New Hampshire, is offering race support for the fourth year running, including: shoes for Relay core staff, prizes, and financial support. Additionally, Timberland brings a strong base of volunteers to the race through its affiliation with City Year New Hampshire (CYNH), an ‘urban Peace Corps’ that brings together young people from diverse backgrounds for a year of full-time community service, and leadership development.
New Balance of Boston, MA, has also reached a three-year Level One sponsorship agreement with the Relay. New Balance is a leading global athletic products company with a family of brands including New Balance, Dunham, PF Flyers, Aravon, Warrior and Brine. New Balance will be providing their Tempo T brand performance shirt as the technical shirts for this year’s race.
The Avon Foundation is a charity sponsor of the Reach the Beach Relay. “The Need for Speed Against Domestic Violence”relay series (www.needforspeedrelay.org/rtb.) focuses on raising funds to help children of domestic violence through education, prevention and direct service programs. Funds raised will be awarded to the domestic violence organization, Bridges. Spanning Southern New Hampshire, Bridges is a non-profit agency dedicated to helping victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Other sponsors and in-kind donors include: Fuelbelt Inc., Coca Cola bottlers of Northern New England, The Boston Beer Company, Starbucks, Enterprise Rent-a-Car/Van, Sweet Scoops, RE/Max with their hot-air balloon rides at the start (with 100% of the proceeds going to the Avon Foundation/Bridges organization to help end domestic violence), and the All Terrain Company.
The Reach the Beach (RTB) Relay was founded by race co-directors Mike Dionne and Rich Mazzola in 1999. Both Dionne and Mazzola are multi-sport athletes and have over 20 combined years of experience in event promotion. The relay is a business with a social conscience. For full results and images of the eighth annual (2006) RTB Relay, or to take a “FLYOVER” tour of the course, visit the RTB Web site at www.rtbrelay.com
