Staff Writer
What possesses any runner, let alone a dozen, to put their bodies through the most demanding and grueling challenge of a road test?
Contributed photograph
HELPING HAND – Joe Ewings, left, gets a water break from teammate Bill Emery. The Shiretown Turtles completed the 203-mile relay adventure in a time of 29 hours, 31 minutes.
The answer: The Reach the Beach Relay from Franconia Notch to Hampton Beach, N.H.
The relay event benefits the New Hampshire State Parks and community organizations.
The ninth annual occasion was the ultimate journey for athletes who attempted to run 200 miles in 24 hours. At 203 miles, the running adventure relay is one of the nation’s longest distance races of its kind. The course is made up of 36 segments or “legs.” Runners compete in teams of 12, rotating through the legs as they cover the course. There are 18 different team categories, including men’s, women’s, mixed and age groups. All participants of the race receive a medal, commemorative T-shirt, team photograph and post-race party.
At the 2007 race, it was filled with 370 teams of more than 4,000 runners, including locals Joe and Angela Ewings; Bill Emery; Richard Cleary; Dan Tracy; Ben Drew; Larry Tonzi; Evan Lewis; David Bates, Barrett Potter, Brent Bailey and Dave Goodrich.
The local team completed the task in 29 hours, 31 minutes.
“Completing an event of such magnitude was very rewarding, as you knew your team had just covered 200 miles in just over a day’s time and it was a complete team effort,” said Joe Ewings. “It was great to be able to support your team members through their legs. You also knew your turn was coming soon to push yourself for everyone else.”
Fellow runner Barrett Potter was approached about getting a group together to participate in the relay event.
“He started organizing and getting a list of runners and figuring out the logistics of making it work,” said Ewings. “He did an awesome job.”
It wasn’t so much the distances that affected the runners, as was having to run multiple times within a seven-to-nine-hour period, Ewings said.
“It was finishing a hard run and knowing you would have to put forth the same effort again in a short period time on legs that were not really ready to go again so soon was a mental challenge,” he said. “It was tough especially when your next leg might be at 2 a.m. in the rain.”
The relay legs ranged from distances of 2.5 to 9.3 miles over a variety of terrain and difficulty levels, from fast [five-mile downhill runs] and flat to steep [straight uphill] and winding.
The local runners prepared as best as they could for their first-time relay adventure race.
“On numerous occasions, we set up times to be able to do three runs in 24-hour periods through the week,” Ewings said. “Those got us used to running when we weren’t able to rest from the previous run, which helped considerably.”
Though the Reach the Beach Relay is for a good cause, Ewings cautions that it isn’t for the casual runner.
“You have to be willing to run hard when you are sleep deprived and when it hurts,” he said. “That is where you get the overwhelming sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.”
On the trip to New Hampshire, the Ewings took their infant daughter, so they know about sleep deprivation, without the competition.
“The run was a fun and challenging event,” Ewings said. “It tested everyone physically and mentally.”
So, will these running enthusiasts try it again?
“That seems to be the big question,” Ewings said. “Now that everyone is starting to recover, I am sure the talk will start about next year and what to do to make it better.”
Contributed photograph
TAKES OFF – Dave Goodrich, left, hands off the baton at the end of his leg to teammate Evan Lewis during the Reach the Beach Relay from Franconia Notch to Hampton Beach, N.H.
Contributed photograph
HIGH FIVE – Larry Tonzi, left, gets support from his teammate Ben Drew with a high-five after Tonzi completed his leg of the Reach the Beach Relay race. The course is made up of 36 legs. Runners compete in teams of 12, rotating through the legs as they cover the course.
Contributed photograph
SHIRETOWN TURTLES – Running in the Reach the Beach Relay from Franconia Notch to Hampton Beach, N.H. were, from left, front, David Bates, Larry Tonzi, Angela Ewings, Dan Tracy and Dave Goodrich; back, Ben Drew, Richard Cleary, Joe Ewings and daughter; Brent Bailey, Barrett Potter, Bill Emery and Evan Lewis.
