The First Great 200K Route 17 Relay Race (for charity)

Steven Friedman tells us about a long-distance (125 mile, 200 kilometer) relay race on July 28, from Brooklyn to Loch Sheldrake, along Route 17 and its "Blue Highway" cousins.

Friedman writes: "A group of my Jewish friends have been running together for several years in marathons, mini marathons, and relay races. We also have a friend of ours, who was recently diagnosed with the debilitating and fatal ALS disease (also known as Lou Gerhigs). He has a wife, and five children and he is in his mid thirties.
 
"We decided that we are going to organize the first ever Jewish Relay Race - a 125 mile fundraiser for this coming summer (from Brooklyn, NY to the famous Catskill Mountains where all the Jews are for the summer), with the goal being to raise money for his family, and to spread awareness of this dreaded disease within the Jewish Community. With the families current financial situation - this is something truly special and appreciated- and at the same time will promote road running health and fitness. This event will take place over 24 hours with teams competing against each other until they reach the finish line. There will be 10 runners per team, and the race will be starting in Prospect Park and ending in Loch Sheldrake NY. We have professional Race Directors, and Coaches running this event, and it will feature team RV’s, motivational speakers, and a big finish line BBQ bash, with entertainment and all."

Friedman adds: "JRunners is seeking 100 runners and other volunteers to register for the 200K relay. It will take 10 teams of 10 runners through some of the most scenic (and Jewish) areas of the United States and take appromximately 22 hours to complete. It's split into 30 legs and each runner competes for three legs, running a total of 12 miles.

"Teams will be provided with RV vehicles equipped with restrooms, beds and showers between the various exchange points.

"The course starts at minus-3 feet elevation and ends at a plus-1,588 elevation, with a total ascent of 4,347 feet and a descent of 3,291 feet."

The route goes past these landmarks:
Brooklyn Bridge
Tweed Courthouse - City Hall
Up the West Side
George Washington Bridge - The Palisades
North along Route 9W
Through the Tenafly Nature Reserve
Through towns of Closter and Alpine
Route 59 in Rockland
Through Spring Valley, Monsey, Wesley Hills
Harriman State Park
Lake Welch
Cross-over Rt. 17, headed for Tuxedo & Warwick
Rt. 1 to Pine Island
Up the Pine Island Turnpike to Route 209
Cold Spring Road
Monticello
Kiamesha Lake
Route 42 into Fallsburg
Kosher BBQ and concert at the Finish Line

More info -- and a map of the race -- can be found at the excellent site, www.jrunners.org.