There Could Be A New Offshoot To The Run Club Boom: Team Relays

As people increasingly look to build community through running, some race organizers are framing relays as unique team-building events

People are turning to running more and more not only for the endorphin highs and sense of accomplishment it brings, but increasingly for the community-building nature of run clubs and races.

While traditional races do have the potential to cultivate community among participants, an emerging race format could be the future of the running boom, forging deeper connections among runners by focusing on team competition: relays.

Relay races have long been a part of running — from track relays to marathon relay teams, the unique bond forged between runners working toward the finish line together amplifies the unifying nature of the sport. And now, runners have more options than ever to join or create a team to conquer the marathon distance — or farther.

Soon, London will be home to more than its famous major marathon, with a new Team Marathon event concept arriving next May. The event brings together teams of four to conquer the iconic 26.2-mile distance, with each member covering roughly 6.55 miles each.

Team Marathon is amplifying the social aspect of its race by making the whole event feel like a festival, with live music stages, a brass band, local street food vendors, DJs, cheer zones and spectator viewing areas packed around a short-loop course and centralized race village.

The race is an evolution of the relay format for the company Benchmark, which traditionally hosts the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay in locations including New York, London, Singapore and Hong Kong.

“80% of 18-24 year-olds are signing up with others, and a 59% increase in run club participation has been seen globally, but while running has become increasingly social and community-driven, most race formats still center on competition and individual achievement,” noted Benchmark CEO Nick Keller.

“Put simply, the events market has not kept up. Existing events serve performance or participation. But the market is lacking an event that is a lifestyle-led, shared experience, where running has become a cultural touchpoint on par with meeting a mate for coffee, for a gig, or to watch the match,” Keller added.

Other traditional marathons have folded relay formats into their existing events, including the Hartford Marathon, the Mount Desert Island Marathon in Maine, the Pittsburgh Marathon and the Big Sur Marathon.

But the popularity of team relay running events isn’t just limited to the classic 26.2 miles, amid growing curiosity for ultramarathons — races longer than the marathon — and trail running.

Upstate New York is home to the popular Seneca 7 race, which tasks teams of seven with conquering the 77.7-mile perimeter of Seneca Lake, or roughly 11.1 miles per runner.

Meanwhile, at the end of August, Oregon will host its popular Hood to Coast relay for its 44th year, with teams of 8-12 covering 196 miles from Mount Hood to the Pacific Ocean over two days (including through the night).

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