With our Ragnar Napa Valley race quickly approaching, our team thought The Rock The Creek Relay would be a fun practice race. While there were many aspects to this relay that were fabulous, there were a few things I thought could use some improvement.
Rock The Creek Relay
Most of the Rock The Creek Relay takes place in the beautiful Rock Creek Park right outside of Washington, DC. Teams of either 6 or 3 (Ultra team) take on ~27 miles of running. There are 6 running legs split into 4-5 mile segments. We chose to do 3 teams of 3 runners each so that we would all get a sense of what it felt like to run multiple run legs.
If you have ever done a relay race where you had to run more than once, you are most likely aware that’s it a lot tougher than running the same amount of miles straight through. Well, that’s my opinion anyway!
The Pros and Cons of the Rock the Creek Relay:
Parking and registration was a breeze. 57 teams total were registered some with 3 runners, some with 6. With staggered start times, there were only 6 people total at our start. Our wave went off with little fanfare and our 3 teams stuck together through the first leg.
The course was almost entirely within the beautiful Rock Creek Park near Rockville, Maryland. On a cool, fall like day it was the perfect venue. Easy to follow driving directions were given to the team so they could meet up at the transition with their runner and set the next runner off. The route was out and back so not too much driving was needed.
Handing off at the exchange points was a breeze and we all cheered on the other runners coming through. There were no aid stations or trash cans at any of the exchanges which would have been nice. All the exchanges did have porta potties for use.
Running a team relay has a totally different vibe than a solo race. Having the opportunity to cheer your friends on in between runs is a unique team building experience.
My first leg of about 4.4 miles went pretty well and I continued using the run/walk intervals I have been practicing. Because this is a relatively short race mileage wise, there is not much time in between runs to recover or eat etc. I munched on an apple and some nuts in between. We brought along a foam roller and tried to keep loose between legs.
Not going to lie, by the time my second run was up I was not feeling it. Legs were heavy and stiff and I was wondering why this was feeling so hard. Side note, while doing longer relay races like Ragnar, runners have up to 10 hours between runs so much more recovery time.
By the time we got to the last 2 transitions of the Rock The Creek relay, the volunteers were already packing up and had started taking down directional signs. Have to admit, this was kind of demoralizing as we were still “in the race”. Having the last leg of relay, when I got near the finish there were very few volunteers to direct me through the park towards the finish. Many of the signs were already gone and the volunteers were nowhere to be seen.
While there was plenty of food and drinks at the finish, there was no “fanfare” or medals or anything. You sort of just finished.
A fun morning and great team building and practice for our Ragnar race. Fun to once with my crew but not sure I would do it again.
Relay races-love them or hate them? Think it is harder to run twice or do the distance all at once?
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Sounds like a great practice run for Ragnar! I wouldn’t mind the not running in the night thing. Too bad the race folks were already cleaning up before you finished….
Yes that was really my only big issue with the race. It was fun though
I think that it’s weird that they start taking down the race before the last runner is finished. It would be demoralizing. Nice job though. Those second legs are always a challenge!
Yes that was my biggest issue with the race. There were 2 teams behind us at the last transition and they knew that but still started taking down the signs.
This sounds fun but Napa sounds like WAY more fun 😉 Hopefully I will see you there 🍷 I’m on a team full of ambassadors and super excited about it!
Oh wow had no idea you were running it! We have to meet in person at least for a minute. I am so excited about it
Sounds like fun.
Ragnars are very popular. I hesitate to join because I don’t want to run at night.
The only relay I have run is a marathon relay in Vermont. It was fun
Relays are a lot of fun. I was really nervous about running at night the first time I did it as well. There are lots of other runners around you so it’s not as scary as you would think
I’ve never done a relay race before but I’d love to do one next year.
Sorry to hear about the volunteers packing up things early. That’s one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to races.
I think you would love a Ragnar! We should do one w all the gals from our little crew
I’m not surprised there were no trash cans along the route…the relay I have done (three times) is a huge event, but all teams are self-supported in terms of food/fuel/trash (they do provide a large trash bag, though). Relay running is fun, but it does have its own unique set of challenges in terms of stretching between legs and maintaining one’s motivation.
It definitely does have challenges!
I love a race with good scenery! I haven’t done a relay for a long time but it sounds so fun. I want to do a ragnar someday.
Ragnars really are an experience I am excited to do my next one
Nicely done! I love Rock Creek Park
It’s a pretty place to run
What an awful feeling to see people packing up when your still going!
That was the only downside to the race really that I think they could easily fix for next time
So fun! Relays are just a whole different ball game! I have done a couple of them and I really have a great time. Obviously, it depends on your teammates, but if you have the right group it can really be fabulous.
I totally agree!
Nice to get a practice race in before Ragnar. I bet running legs so close together was a challenge. I’d love to try a relay at some point.
It was so much harder actually! I hope you have the chance to run one sometime they are a blast
Sounds like a fun experience, especially if you’re not quite ready for a longer relay. Weird that they started cleaning up so early though!
That was really a downside for sure
I’ve never done a relay race! I’m intimidated by the idea of the overnight ones – sleeping in a van does not sound appealing anymore, but this one sounds like so much fun!
Sleeping in a van takes some getting used to!
I’ve only done one relay race, and that was just a half split into 2 legs so no multiple runs. I have sometimes done more miles after a race, but that isn’t the same thing!
No volunteers = no bueno. And yes, I’ve had that experience and it’s REALLY demoralizing. Sounds like you had a good race despite that!
We had fun because we were all together. Now I kind of understand what it must feel like to be at the back of a race where everyone has already finished. Everyone pays the same entry and runs the same miles. They should all receive the same treatment!
This definitely sounds like a great practice race for Ragnar! That sucks that they started dismantling things before all the teams were finished 🙁 I hate when that happens.
I’ve never experienced that before and it’s not so fun
Great recap! I’m surprised they didn’t have more support (trash cans, etc.). Too bad that the volunteers left early. 🙁 Have fun at Ragnar Napa!
I’ve run five Ragnars (three van and two trail) and loved them all. I think if I were younger and still running longer distances, I would sign up for more. As of now, I’m in Ragnar retirement unless someone gives me a REALLY GOOD reason to come out of retirement.
Well….that sounds like an opportunity 🙂
LOL on just finishing. It’s odd — and frustrating — that they took the signs down. This does bring back fond memories of Ragnar. You are going to have a blast!
Funny, I thought Ragnar was completely different! It was only about 10 extra minutes but it was kind of demoralizing