Jefferson will be the starting point for the sixth annual Market to Market® Relay Iowa Saturday, May 12. The 75-mile relay race starts on E. Lincoln Way near the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower, and ends with a celebration in downtown Des Moines.
The all-day running event consists of 350 teams with 6 to 8 members each. Team members rotate running, hopping in a team vehicle, resting, and then repeating to cover the route. Runners take on two to three stages that range from three to five miles each, covering 75-miles and 18 exchange points.
The route is strategically mapped out to provide scenic views with varied running environments such as the Raccoon River Valley Trail system, paved streets and gravel back roads. Runners will pass through the towns of Jefferson, Cooper, Yale, Panora, Linden, Redfield, Adel, Waukee, Clive¬, and Des Moines.
Along with the festive starting gate, two exchange points are in Greene County – Winkleman Switch and Cooper. Local volunteer groups will staff the three locations and receive donations from Market to Market Relay Iowa. Since 2013, Market to Market has donated more than $80,000 to local community groups and non-profit organizations. Another $18,000 will be donated this year, bringing the total to more than $98,000.
“It is our passion to create unique running experiences for both the elite runner and the casual, fun runner,” says Ben Cohoon, Market to Market race director. “We are thrilled to welcome 350 teams participating again this year, with many teams having run all six years. Due to the magnitude of this event it takes over 250 volunteers to make Market to Market Relay Iowa happen. As a thank you, we make donations back to these local community groups and non-profits that make the event possible.”
The first wave of runners will start the race at 5:45 am, with the last wave starting at 9:15 am. By noon, there will be no traces of the race left in Jefferson.
Market to Market Relay Iowa is produced by Pink Gorilla Events, an independent event production company based in Lincoln, NE.
