Posted: January 28, 2005

Athletics: Inaugural Wild Miles Adventure Relay Announced

CARLSBAD, Calif. - (Jan. 26, 2005) - The inaugural Wild Miles Adventure Relay, a 198-mile running relay, has been set for May 21-22, 2005, announced event organizer, In Motion, Inc.

The Wild Miles Adventure Relay will consist of 250 teams of 10 runners each. The unique course will start on the desert floor in Borrego Springs, 85 miles east of San Diego, and wind its way through Southern Californian sand dunes, mountains, forests and canyons before finishing at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. The scenic course will consist of 30 legs with distances ranging from three miles to a half-marathon and will be run primarily on rural back roads.

The event will build on the success of last year's Overland 122 Relay, which was also produced by In Motion, Inc.

"We are expecting teams from all over the country to take advantage of this runner's version of the Wild West," said Pat Flanagan, operations director of In Motion, Inc., which also produces the Carlsbad Marathon. "Adventure relay races have been growing in popularity and we expect this event to be a sell-out."

The Wild Miles Adventure Relay is expected to live up to its name. Runners will be treated to stunning vistas of blooming wildflowers, cacti and palm groves. Depending on the time of day or night, runners may also encounter mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, jack rabbits, rattlesnakes, hawks, tarantulas and scorpions during their trek through the desert. Special safety precautions will be taken to protect the runners from some of the more dangerous creatures. Temperatures are expected to dip to the low 40s during the night and climb to the mid-80s during the day.

The relay trek will culminate where Olympians train - the 150-acre U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. Teams will be treated to a Wild Miles Finisher's Bash and a tour of the training facility. Every member of a winning team will receive a Wild Miles shirt and medal.

The event will benefit the Challenged Athlete Foundation, a non-profit organization which provides opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities to pursue an active lifestyle through physical fitness and competitive athletics.

Registration is now open. Team divisions include: Corporate, Public Service, Military, Open and Masters. For more information on the Wild Miles Adventure Relay or to register for the event, visit www.inmotionevents.com or call (760) 692-2900.

Source: Patrice Malloy, Malloy Marketing Group, (760) 635-2833
Lynn Flanagan, In Motion, Inc., (760) 692-2900

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.