When this year’s Gorgeous Portland Pub Relay fell on a day when I had minimum commitments, I started recruiting a team. Six amazing women are able to take part on the Run Oregon team, and we’re all doing our part to practice. (Translation: running and then enjoying local beers.)
This is how it works:
- Captains sign up their team, and then each team member registers using their team name and password. NOTE: The last day to sign up and get your t-shirt size is Sunday, April 28. Registration is still open here, so get crackin!
- Captains pick up their team’s shirts/goodies on May 11 afternoon meeting, where they’re also given the option to sign up for additional Gorgeous Relays at a discount.
- On race day (May 18), teams will meet at Vagabond Brewing, located at 2715 SE 8th Ave in Portland. They’ll get a map to the next checkpoint, and the lead runner will take off while their teammates will drive to the next place. Where there will be beer. NOTE: Don’t drink and drive. Have a designated driver, either someone on your team or a friend to help out with driving duties.
- At the 2nd bar, the drivers will get the map to the next checkpoint. And so on, for a total of 26 miles and finishing back up at Vagabond. (This is as much a scavenger hunt as it is a relay.)
As a one-day relay where each team member runs just once, this is a minimal-planning, maximum-fun event. Each team (except solo runners) are asked to provide a volunteer or sponsor one; these volunteers will be at “tricky” course locations to keep people on course. As this is not run on a closed course, participants need to follow all traffic rules and obey crosswalks, signals, and in general be super safe.
And as a beer relay, feel free to have fun! Decorate your vehicle, dress in costume, and come prepared to have a great time with your team and other teams! I have found that there’s a certain type of runner who does beer relays. Combine that “type” with the type of runner who loves the Gorgeous Series, and you’re bound to make a few new friends and have a blast.
I will see you out there on May 18!