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Last updated 9:48 am CT November 20, 2009.
Ready for the Illinois River to River Relay
Participants will make their way from the Mississippi River to the Ohio.
"It starts at a place called McGee Hill which is over by the Mississippi River off Route 3 and continues across through the country roads of Southern Illinois," explained race director Brad Dillard.
By the time they cross the finish line in Golconda, Ill. runners will have traveled 80 miles with each team member running three legs of the race. They come from all over the country to do it.
"I moved to Reno, [Nev.] six months ago," said Kurt Krutsinger. His team has run the race three times in the past. "I had to come back. This is the best time."
Friday night organizers registered 240 teams at the Williamson County Pavillion. A limited number of teams can participate. Dillard says that when online registration opened in October, slots filled in just five minutes.
It's one of the most popular relays in the country, even attracting former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich in 2005.
"I guess he has to relieve a lot of stress," said David Estrada of the Belleville Running Club.
But River to River runners say they enjoy race day no matter who's on the course.
"It's just the camaraderie, the people you run with who you see all the time. It's just the craziness and the fun," Krutsinger said.
"You could take it as a competitive run, but it's just a good time, an outing with the closest of your eight relay friends," Estrada said.
All those runners need a place to sleep. In terms of hotel bookings, the Illinois River to River Relay weekend is right up there with graduation weekends.
By Dana Jay
djay@wsiltv.com
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