Tom's Run Relay

Tom's Run Relay is an annual 200-mile team event hosted by the D.C. Chapter of the Coast Guard Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association the weekend after Memorial Day.  The event kicks off on Thursday or Friday on alternate years.  The 2018 even begins with the pre-race dinner on Thursday May 31st and ends with lunch at the finish at 11:00 AM on Saturday June 2nd.  The course follows the Potomac River from Cumberland Maryland, through Washington DC and Alexandria VA, and finishes at Fort Hunt Park near Mount Vernon.  It is flat and mostly hard-packed dirt.  Teams must have at least one runner and one escort cyclist on the course during the event.  Otherwise, there are very few rules.  Teams can be of any size and can swap runners and bikers at 31 points along the course.  Teams must be completey self-sufficient as there is no support provided by the event.  Tom's Run Relay is unique in that there is no common start time.  Teams can start any time after midnight on the first day with the goal of all finishing together at 11:00 AM on the second day.  This presents many logistical challenges for team leaders to keep track of runners, account for pace, accommodate fatigue, and navigate the course to meet the finish time.  Solo runners and teams of any size are welcome.  In fact, solo runners have completed Tom's Run Relay 4 times.  Registration is generally $15 per participant and everyone receives a medal and lunch at the finish.  T-shirts are extra.  No prizes are given and the race times are usually not recorded.  Tom's Run Relay stresses teamwork, perseverance, planning, and community.  Registration usually begins in February with a mid-April deadline.  Contact race director Roger at [email protected] or 202-372-1494.