One day relays are becoming hugely popular lately, and it’s easy to see why: One van, less waiting to run between legs, a reasonable start time and an afternoon or early evening finish, no need for flashlights while running in the dark, and fewer gastric adventures. And most of them are on very scenic courses. One of the most scenic is the Three Capes Relay on the Oregon coast, coming up on February 28th.
The course consists of five legs, ranging from around 4.11 to 7.02 miles in length, and includes 2,400 feet of elevation gain. The race begins and ends at sea level, starting at Cape Meares, passing Cape Lookout, and ending at Cape Kiwanda, with great views of several parks and the Pacific Ocean throughout.
Teams can include anywhere from two to five runners, and since the course is exactly 26.2 miles long, solo runners can treat it as a marathon, albeit an extremely hilly one!
Team categories include Business, Family, School, Clydesdale, and Open, and there are several divisions to choose from. T-Shirts are included with all entries before February 15th.
This is definitely a challenging course, but that won’t deter teams like the intrepid two-woman squad that took on the Gorgeous Relay last year , and rumor has it another Run Oregon duo consisting of Matt and Joe has signed up for this epic adventure.
Please note that the highway will not be closed to traffic, so runners should stay on the left side of the road and wear bright clothing or a reflective vest! This won’t be a PR course, but the views and sense of accomplishment will more than make up for that.
What: Three Capes Relay (AKA: Cape Meares to Pacific City Marathon Relay)
When: Saturday, February 28th
Where: The relay starts at the intersection of Bayocean Rd. and Bayshore Drive, adjacent to Cape Meares Lake, near Tillamook, and finishes at Web County Park at Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City.
What time: The race starts at 9:00a. If necessary, a second wave may be added at 10:00a.
Registration: Solo runners $65, 2-person teams $85, 3- to 5-person teams $150.
Click HERE to register. You can mail in an entry, or enter online.
