Salem, Oregon's
Running & Walking Club Site
Home of
Willamette Valley Road Runners (WVRR)
www.WVRoadrunners.org.

Civil War Relay 2001

How to be first and last at the same time

Last year, I gathered four friends (Lois Loop, Sue Devore, Linda Lewelling and Deb Wallig) and convinced them to run the Civil War Relay with me. I promised them short runs on flat roads in perfect weather.

I was mostly honest. The runs are short—almost painfully short. Each person runs five segments that are approximately two miles each. By the third leg, we considered simply running six miles at a time just to get the legs over. There is no time to relax at an exchange because your runner will be there in less than twenty minutes.

Last year’s race was in December, but we experienced every month weather-wise. We ran through fog, rain, sunshine, more rain, and wind. The roads aren’t completely flat, but with such short legs, no one runs a whole hill; you get halfway, and make someone else finish it.

Our team was composed of slow, casual runners. We began in the first wave, but were in competition for last place with ten miles to go. Volunteers greeted us joyfully, because they could leave once we passed. The sweep van began to follow us. He finally left us when we offered to pick up the cones and take them to the finish. When we arrived at Linn-Benton Community College, the awards had been announced and most of the pizza eaten. But one award was waiting: we were the winners of the women’s open division. It’s a good race when you can accomplish first and last place simultaneously. Despite our slow speed (or perhaps because of it), we had a great time.

I drink from my winner’s mug and remember the phrase: "The last finisher is simply the slowest winner".

Abigail Elder