Mark Greene
Prior to this previous weekend, the last time I ran in a relay race was when I was still a child. I mean, I never considered myself to be the fastest kid in my neighborhood.
So, what’s the point, right?
Almost twenty years have passed since then and I still think that my legs are designed to be in a comfortable place rather than running. However, as I said, I recently ran in a relay race.
And, I loved it.
However, I won’t talk in detail about what happened in the race or what made me go for it. I’d rather talk about why I loved it and would want to try again.
Why Should You Run a Relay Race?
Most people consider racing to be a competitive sport and they’re correct, to some extent. But a relay race isn’t only about competing against hundreds of people partaking in the race.
There’s a lot more to it, including the following –
1. The Essence of Bonding is There.
Unlike most other types of racing, you are not going to be alone while running in a relay race. It will include you, your friends, and if you want, your family members. When all of you are running or training together, you will create a sense of bond and improve your relationship.
Furthermore, a sense of unity will also emanate simultaneously, as all of you are trying to win the race at the end. So, cheering, motivating, and taking care of each other will be a part of the time period you are spending together too.
2. It Can be Performed by Anyone.
A relay race consists of three legs with each lasting three to eight miles. Hence, all in all, you will have to run around 12 to 24 miles as a whole.
As it’s a team sport, I think it’s totally doable for anyone. If I am offering an average, you will have to run for around one hour before giving the baton to someone else.
However, yes, if you are older than 65 and have heart problems, there is no need to participate in such races. If you still want to partake in a relay race, talk to your doctor first.
3. Gives an Excuse to Exercise.
Well, you’re running a 24-mile race, you have to be active – in one way or another. Therefore, you have to find a way to keep your fitness up in a way or another. This, in turn, will help one stay active no matter what stage of life they are in.
However, relay racing can be quite tiring, as you have to run for quite a while. Hence, when it comes to preparing for the race, make sure to work more on your stamina and agility.
4. Traveling to a New Place.
Traveling to a place by car and going through the same area on foot can be quite different. For instance, with the latter, you can slowly enjoy the different parts of the country and may find a new part of the place as well. When you get the break time, you can also buy some souvenirs or something else to remember your trip too.
Additionally, you can also take lots of photos while running in the race too. So, when it comes to making memories in addition to exercising, nothing else can take the place of relay racing.
5. Team Game.
A relay race is all about bonding and being a team altogether. Thus, it’ll be important for you to learn more about people you are going to be with. It should include –
- Talking to them.
- Asking about your core gameplan.
- Learning about everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.
Once you are aware of everything, you can collaborate better with your team and maybe even win the race.
The Bottom Line
No matter how you look at it, relay racing will be extremely beneficial for both your health as well as social status. Nonetheless, it’s important to know if you are capable of completing it or not. Talk to your doctor, go to the gym, or do anything to learn how far you can push.
Relay racing is fun. But, it can be quite heavy on your health too. So, it’s best to ensure that you are really up for the task. Good luck!
