Summit Runners Finish Overnight Relay Race

Nine Summit residents completed the PA Ragnar Relay [on Saturday] along with 2 former Chatham residents and one former New Providence resident (these 3 just relocated).  

The team of 12 runners completed just over 200 miles in a continuous overnight relay race, taking about 29-1/2 hours. They started in Lancaster, Pa. and finishing in Mt. Pocono. 

The team name is R U iNsane? and the Summit Running Company did a fantastic job of supporting us with Jacob, the store manager, offering the team a special discount on gear and supplies for the race.  

Ragnar officially indicates that training for the relay needs to be approached as if you are training for a half-marathon, on average.  That would mean long runs of up to about 15 miles, plus several shorter runs dotted throughout the week.

Runners ran anywhere from 10-24 miles over 3 legs depending on their position on the team.  Hills were intense, more so than typical road races with some legs having elevation gains of 1400 feet.

In getting ready for the race Summit runners used many different paths in Summit depending on where they live. The hills of Division and Tanglewood were good preparation and many incorporated loops involving Springfield Avenue or Morris Avenue, depending on where they started out.  

Some runners also utilized routes further afield such as Manasquan Reservoire, trails near Natirar Estate and Central Park.

Four of the team members will be continuing on to run fall marathons, including NYC, Philadelphia and the Marine Corp marathon.

— By Susan Yarad, Team Captain "R U iNsane?"