This year, I had the opportunity to run at the prestigious Hood to Coast Relay in Portland, Oregon in the United States. For those unfamilar with the Hood to Coast Relay, it’s this according to Wiki:
‘long-distance relay race held in the U.S. state of Oregon, annually in late August, traditionally on the Friday and Saturday of the weekend before the Labor Day weekend. It is one of the longest major relays in North America and the largest in the world in terms of total participation (12,000 in Hood To Coast Relay, 17,400 total participants, including Portland To Coast Walk Relay and High School Challenge Relay). The course runs 197 miles (317 km) from Timberline Lodge on the slopes of Mount Hood, the tallest peak in Oregon, through the Portland metropolitan area, and over the Oregon Coast Range to the beach town of Seaside on the Oregon Coast.’
12 man team. 3 legs each. 2 vans. non-stop till you reach the coast.
What an experience it was. I will never forget it. From running picturesque mountain trails, to pitch black forest backroads, to the lush green seaside roads, I must say North America is thus far the best running experience I have encountered so far. Here are some of my favorite shots from the trip.
HS signing off…
