"Great race! Toughest relay we've run and we've done Reach the Beach, Hood to Coast, and the Great Midwest relay. The course was great and so was the support!"

That is just one of the enthusiastic comments from one of the 600 runners on 48 teams who ran in the 2007 Blue Ridge Relay, which was held Friday and Saturday, September 7th and 8th. Forty-eight teams and one solo runner participated in this unique event where teams of 4 - 12 runners per team and their enthusiasm, cooperation, and extreme ability to run for 208 miles from Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia to Asheville, NC made this event a remarkable experience for everyone involved.

After 208 miles of running, Jus Running - Norman's Maggots, in photo based in Asheville, NC, led the field for the 3rd straight year with a time of 23 hours, 3 minutes, and 5 seconds. For the first time in the Relay's 3 year history, four teams finished under 24 hours: Norman's Maggots; "Try Sports, Believe - Achieve", Charlotte, NC; "Umstead Twelve", Cary, NC; and "Rock Hill Striders", Rock Hill, SC.

Even though the mountain temperatures were higher than previous years, three records were set: More Cowbell from Atlanta, GA set the Mixed team record (minimum 50% of the runners are women), Team Summit from Concord, NC set the Ultra team record (4-6 runners), and Team seejanerun from Chapel Hill, NC set the Women's record. Murphy's Law of Marble, NC won the Masters division.

Murphy's Law was the tenth team to finish, first master.

Blue Ridge Relay Results

Pl Div     Team Name	                  City, State	  Time	   Pace	  Runners
1  Open	   Jus Running - Norman's Maggots Asheville, NC	  23:03:45 0:06:39  11
2  Open	   Try Sports, Believe - Achieve  Charlotte, NC	  25:15:19 0:06:45  12
3  Open	   Umstead Twelve	          Cary, NC	  23:54:04 0:06:54  11
4  Open	   Rock Hill Striders	          Rock Hill, SC	  23:58:07 0:06:55  12
						
1  Mixed*  More Cowbell	                  Atlanta, GA	  25:12:11 0:07:16  12
1  Master  Murphy's Law	                  Marble, NC	  26:52:27 0:07:45  12
1  Ultra*  Team Summit	                  Concord, NC	  27:43:32 0:07:57   6
1  Women*  seejanerun	                  Chapel Hill, NC 30:11:52 0:08:43  12

In photo TEAM VAS-O-LEAN is from Concord, NC.

The Blue Ridge Relay course offers some of the well-known scenery of the Virginia and North Carolina Mountains, but highlights the beauty of our less-traveled countryside, sounds of our sparkling creeks, the coolness of our mountain hollows, and some very big views. The course is as challenging as it is beautiful with a total gain in elevation of more than 12,000 feet and total loss of almost 15,000 feet.

The organizers of the Blue Ridge Relay were excited this year to be one of almost a dozen running relays in the country who were partnered with the Avon Foundation and their Need for Speed Campaign Against Domestic Violence. As a Need for Speed Fundraiser, the Blue Ridge Relay and its runners had the opportunity to raise funds and awareness for children who are victims or witnesses of domestic violence. Over $6700 was raised by teams, sponsors, and race organizers for this worthy cause.

The runners enjoyed many of our small towns and quaint, mountain communities. Some of the towns are well established, others are finding a rebirth, and others offer the warmth, charm and hospitality of a lone country store. Thank you for your support, for your hospitality, for encouraging the runners, and for being courteous while driving.

The Blue Ridge Relay is grateful for the support received from Gum Ridge Mill & Flying Pig Furniture, Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia, Hometrust Bank of Asheville NC, Mellow Mushroom of Asheville, NC, The Avon Foundation Need for Speed Campaign, Dan'l Boone Inn and Restaurant, SweeTea, Stickboy Bread Company, Hometown Realty, Power Bar, Omega Tees, Ashe County Parks and Recreation, The Blue Ridge Parkway, Road ID, Ashe County Arts Council and the Appalachian State University Health and Exercise Department..

The Blue Ridge Relay would not have been possible without the gracious support from our local community, who allowed the Relay to use their facilities for exchange zones. These exchange zones were kind enough to provide both location and volunteers: Grayson Highlands State Park, Helton United Methodist Church, Ashe County Park, Bald Mountain Baptist Church, Green Valley Community Park, Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Newland Elementary, Green Valley Fire Department, Pensacola Sales and Service, Barnardsville Elementary, and Ox Creek Community Center.

The Blue Ridge Relay is also grateful for the generous support, time, and lack of sleep given by our volunteers who served as Race Officials, including the many community groups, friends and students from the Health Leisure and Exercise Science Department at Appalachian State University.

The Magnificent Dozen from Falls Church, VA was one of two teams from the Washington, DC metro area. The team finished third in the mixed division. The photo at the top of this article is of one of their members Christie Yang.

Photos Below

1. seejanerun from Chapel Hill, NC sets the women's record.


2. Murphy's Law from Marble, NC wins the masters division.


3. More Cowbell from Atlanta, GA sets the mixed team record.

Plans are underway for the 2008 Blue Ridge Relay. For additional information about the Blue Ridge Relay call (336) 877-8888.

Full Race Results