Great Lakes Relay
The Great Lakes Relay (GLR) is a three-day race for runners that crosses the northern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and sometimes part of the Upper Peninsula as well.[1] It is known for its very hilly, sandy course, heat, humidity, and 270 mile length.[2] It has many similarities with the Great Midwest Relay. They differ in that GLR takes place on much more rural routes. The GLR was first run in 1992, with the finish line being in Mackinac City. Due to disputes with local officials, the finish was later moved to its present location in Empire, Michigan, home of the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes.
Race Rebranding[edit]
On January 2, 2020, the Great Lakes Relay announced the end of the race. The new event will be called the Michigan Outback Relay (MOR) and will be hosted by the same individuals involved in the Great Lakes Relay. The original message is as follows:
As we stated at the awards ceremony, the Lakeshore Striders Running Club is closing down this year after 30 in existence and a dwindling membership role. The LSS hosted the Great Lakes Relay. A new organization has been formed with Nick, Bob, Matt and Eric to put on the new event named the Michigan Outback Relay. We always described the race as traipsing through Michigan’s outback so as a nod to Nick’s Aussie heritage, we decided it would be appropriate to name the new event the Michigan Outback Relay (MOR!).
Visit us at our new website – michiganoutbackrelay.com
Here’s what doesn’t change – Nick and Bob and the courses they have charted. However, Matt and Eric will be replaced by Rick and Morty for the new race in 2020. Same great courses and party in Empire.[3]
Format[edit]
The race is broken into three days, each of which usually consists of around 18 legs. The individual legs vary in length from 2 miles to nearly 12 miles. The first two days of the race cover up to 110 miles each, while the last day covers approximately 70 miles. The shortened last day allows for time to relax on the beach and for the after-relay pizza party and awards banquet. Teams are composed of up to 10 people, and they are allowed up to three chase vehicles to support their runners on the course. Often, however, vehicle traffic is directed around the runners both for safety and because the trails are inaccessible by car. The race starts at 6:00AM each day, and the team's finish time is recorded. Times from the three days are then added together, and the team with the shortest time is declared the winner.[4][5]
Teams[edit]
Each year approximately 80 teams compete for glory in the GLR. There are two divisions: Open and Mixed. Mixed teams must have a 4:6, 5:5, or 6:4 male to female ratio. Ages of runners range from as young as high schoolers to competitors in their 50s and 60s.
A pair of English gentlemen frequently run the GLR. Other running luminaries who have competed include former Olympians for both the U.S. and Canada at 1500m, National Masters record-holders, numerous NCAA All-Americans, numerous top 100 Boston Marathoners, numerous Olympic Trial Qualifiers, the World Beer Half-Marathon Champion, women's beer mile world record holder and the 2014 Diplodash for Ice Cream Bash 5k Run/Walk and Kid's Fun Run Champion.
Hype surrounding the 2015 relay was at its highest peak since 2006. A large number of teams were created in an attempt to take down the two-time defending champions, Meat Train, led by legendary captain,[6] Leo Foley. Internet postings on the popular message board at Letsrun.com saw large amounts of speculation and trash talking.
References[edit]
- ↑ Official Homepage of GLR
- ↑ RunMichigan Review
- ↑ "The Great Lakes Relay is now the Michigan Outback Relay!". Great Lakes Relay. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
- ↑ http://www.greatlakesrelay.com Official Homepage of GLR
- ↑ http://www.runmichigan.com/columns/dougkurtis/dougcolumn_105.shtml RunMichigan.com Review
- ↑ "Great Lakes Relay – July 17-19 2020".
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