They were hoping to take back the championship and erase that embarrassing finish of 1999. But this is a new century, and reputations seem to have shifted. All clubs must put the feet on the pavement to win in road racing-especially in team events. And with the terrific growth of the Gate City club and with the new, young talent joining the Striders, it very well may be their century. This is one of the greatest relay events in New England, sharing that honor with the Winnipesaukee Relay held in September.
Runners are just naturally competitive.
The first handoff point followed the initial 5.6-mile sprint across the border at the BEA facility. The second runner carried the baton 4.9 miles to the Greater Lowell Technical High School. Then the longest of the five began and carried 9.4 miles through Dracut and Methuen to the Griffith Industrial Park. The final runner took the baton into Lawrence and back across the river to the Elks Club on River Road, a 6.3-mile journey. It darts downstream along the Merrimack with the river in sight during most of the event.