The Mississippi and Ohio rivers meet at the southern tip of Illinois. Between the two rivers lies a land quite unlike the rest of the state. Rolling hills covered with forests create an environment that is perfect for outdoor sports of all kinds.
Every April over two thousand runners cross this land between the rivers in the River to River Relay. It is not easy to describe the relay to someone who has never participated. It can be exhilarating, exhausting, intimidating, inspiring, and unforgettable, but adjectives alone are insufficient. For participants and organizers, the race is a succession of memorable images that last for a long time.
Teams of eight runners compete on an 80-mile course. Each runner completes three sections that range in length from 2.5 to 4 miles. Teams are started in groups every 30 minutes beginning at 6:15am and continuing until the last group is started at 8:45am. The finish line closes at exactly 8:00pm.
The race starts at McGee Hill in LaRue Pine Hills on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River Valley. The course follows country roads (mostly paved but some stretches of gravel) through the Shawnee National Forest to its finish at the Ohio River in Golconda.
The relay is the equivalent of three hard races in one day. Runners recover as best they can while other team members take a turn, encountering mud, hills, dust, hills, sweat, hills… they learn to welcome the cramped quarters of a vehicle occupied by seven other muddy, dusty, sweaty, tired people, and wonder why they were picked to tackle the terrible hill on section 22. The euphoria on reaching the finish line at the Ohio River, running in together as a team, resolves all the doubt.
The relay is a team sport for runners, who are often a very solitary lot. It is a chance to race, and then watch others race while driving between exchanges or waiting to receive the baton. It is sharing experiences with members of other teams, or trading friendly insults with the opposition.
The River to River Relay is a unique running experience: one part strenuous effort and seven parts recovery and relaxation. It might be a prescription for life.
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