The Arizona Odyssey is not your traditional relay race. Sure, there are hand-offs and a race against the clock, but the Odyssey takes the concept much farther — literally.
The Arizona Odyssey is a 195-mile relay race around Tucson. Teams of 12 will take anywhere from 22 to 34 hours to complete the event, which will begin Oct. 12 and end in a Finish Line Festival the following day.
"The main concept of this relay is to promote solidarity between runners," said the event's director and founder, Andy Bunkse. "Running is so often a solitary activity. This is all about having fun."
It's also about raising money for a good cause. The event, part of the Avon Foundation's Need for Speed Against Domestic Violence National Relay Series, will benefit Tucson Centers for Women and Children, which provided shelter to more than 1,600 people last year.
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"It (the relay) falls during domestic violence month," noted Sarah Jones, the center's executive director. "It's a wonderful time to raise funds and community awareness."
While this is the first relay of its kind to take place in the Old Pueblo, epic relays have been gaining in popularity nationwide in the past few years. More than 12,000 runners participated in the Nike Hood to Coast Relay in Oregon last month.
"It's all over the country — it's quite the rage," said Jeanne Snell, co-owner of Fleet Feet Tucson, a specialty shoe store.
So far, 26 teams have signed up for the relay, but Bunkse hopes to double that by the Sept. 15 registration deadline.
"We're hoping to have 50 teams — that's about 600 runners — for the first year," he said. "We have great ambition to have 450 teams within four years. I'm hoping to make this a destination event for generations. We want to make it — with the Tucson Marathon and El Tour de Tucson — one of the big three fall events in Tucson."
People Burning Fat Productions, the company Bunkse runs with partner Eric Lerude, has already held three relays in the Reno/Tahoe area. It's no accident that it expanded to Tucson — Bunkse's wife is from Tucson, and his mother lives here.
"Tucson is really special because you can very quickly get out to the wilderness without going far from the central city," he said. "I love the landscape. It's uniquely suited to this type of event, and so is the climate."
Thanks to two years of planning, Tucson's inaugural relay event will have some nice touches. Community organizations will help or entertain at exchange points. Runners will tour scenic areas, such as Bear Canyon Trail, San Xavier del Bac Mission and both Saguaro Parks, and they will head west during sunset and east during sunrise.
"We tried to hit the most beautiful part of the community," Bunkse said.
While the race isn't as difficult as a marathon, Bunkse said, it's important for participants to be able to run at least 12 miles in two days.
"I really wouldn't want to see someone who (was) just starting to run sign up for the Odyssey," said Snell, of Fleet Feet. "You have to be able to do a minimum of 12 miles."
Snell, who is also racing in the event on an all-female team, designed a training program to help people prepare for the race. It will focus on distance running, but, as the event nears, it will also have participants practice multiple runs over two days.
"Doing back-to-back runs is pretty important to getting your body used to that," Snell said. "Getting used to running in the dark with a headlamp on is also important."
It's also essential to pick your teammates carefully, Snell said, because you'll be spending at least 24 hours in a van with five of them. Teams of 12 split up between two vans, so while half the teammates are running the other half can eat and rest.
While the focus is on running, the aim is fun, Bunkse said. Awards will be given for the most-spirited exchange point, the most-humorous team name and the most-decorated van. The Finish Line Festival, open to the public Oct. 13, will have food, beer and live music.
"I've gotten hooked on relays," said Bunkse, who calls himself a bad runner. "I have a lot of fun doing events like this. It's really addictive. We have a motto — it's the most fun you can have as an adult in a van with six people for 24 hours, legally."
Here's how it works
• The course's 195 miles are divided into 36 legs, which range in length from 3 to 7.8 miles. Runners on teams of 12 take turns tackling sections of the course. Each runner will complete anywhere from 12 to 20 miles depending on the legs he or she runs.
• The race begins and ends at Rillito Park Race Track, 4502 N. First Ave.
• The start is staggered, with slower teams leaving before faster teams. Start time is based on runners' estimated 10K time and is coordinated so that the bulk of teams finish between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the second day of the race.
• Each team has two vans with six runners in each. At each exchange point, a runner hands the team wristband to the next team member and then climbs into the team van, which drives to the next exchange point. While the runners in one team van are competing, the teammates in the other team van are eating or resting.
• The running continues through the night with participants wearing reflective vests and headlamps or flashlights.
• The Finish Line Festival, 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Oct. 13, will include food from Eegee's and beer donated by Gentle Ben's Brewery Company. All profits from concessions benefit Tucson Centers for Women and Children.
Arizona Odyssey Relay Run Adventure
• What: A 24-hour, 195-mile relay race that starts and ends at Rillito Park Race Track, 4502 N. First Ave.
• Who: Runners should be able to complete at least 12 miles in two days. It's best suited for teams of 12, with each runner tackling three of the 36 legs. Smaller teams may enter if they can prove that they can complete the mileage within 34 hours. Individuals and smaller groups may request to be matched with others to create a team of 12.
• When: Oct. 12-13.
• Where: All around Tucson.
• Cost: $85 per runner. Runners get a goodie bag, a T-shirt and a medal at the Finish Line Festival.
• Registration: Ends Sept. 15.
• Benefits: Tucson Centers for Women and Children.
• Volunteer: Help at the race and receive a T-shirt and a meal at the Finish Line Festival.
• Information: www.arizona odyssey.com.
• Training: Contact Fleet Feet Tucson, 6538 E. Tanque Verde Road, www.fleetfeettucson.com or 886-7800.
2,075
lowest elevation, in feet, on the route
650
most elevation, in feet, gained in one leg
87
approximate temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, of the Agua Caliente Warm Spring at Agua Caliente Park, which is where leg 5 ends
27
shortest leg of the race at only three miles
195
length, in miles, of the race course; the race begins and ends at the Rillito Park Race Track, 4502 N. First Ave.
1,020
cost in dollars for a team of 12 to enter the race
80
number of volunteers needed
16
minimum age to run in the race
12
recommended number of runners on a team
3
number of legs each runner on a team of 12 will complete
7
leg when a runner faces the off-road Bear Canyon Trail and a stream crossing
2
approximate number of days it will take to finish the relay
7.8
length, in miles, of the longest leg of the race
500
most elevation, in feet, lost in one leg
21
leg of the race that ends at San Xavier del Bac Mission
12
days left to register to run in the race; deadline to register is Sept. 15
36
number of legs in the race
3,955
highest elevation, in feet, on the route
25
approximate cost per month to participate in the Fleet Feet Tucson training program
0
number of times this race has been run before
12
date, in October, that the race begins