This year, on Sunday 20 June, the Cleveland Way Relay will once again be run.  This is a team competition, with teams running in relay around the whole length of the Cleveland Way (~110 miles in total), starting in Filey and ending in Helmsley.

It is a great opportunity for us all to run as a team and support each other, and is a cracking day out in the moors.

If you would like to be part of it, please pass on your name to Rosie or Tom and they will make sure you’re included in the teams.  Everyone who wants to take part will do so.  The only question is how many teams we will put on!  But you must let us know by SUNDAY 9 MAY!  This is to allow time for everyone to agree which legs of the relay they are doing, and to give people ample time to recce their part of the route (if you wish to) and plan all the logistics needed for the day.

For those who’ve taken part before, you know the drill.  For those who are new to it, more details are below.

Any questions, or to confirm that you’re up for it, get in touch with Rosie or Tom on email, on Facebook, by text, or whenever you see us at training or around.

Cheers, your club captains,

Rosie (rosie_gatenby@yahoo.co.uk) and Tom (tomlevi1985@gmail.com)

Who organises the relay?

The relay is organised by NYMAC (North York Moors Athletic Club).  Check their website giving more detail on the relays here: https://www.nym.ac/cleveland-way-relay-info/

Organising the teams, though, is down to individual clubs and the teams running the relays.  This goes for transport, logistics, and everything else – all this, we organise ourselves.

How far will I have to run?

The relay is split into 16 separate legs.  Those legs range in distance from 3.5 miles up to 8.5 miles.  On average they are about 6 or 7 miles.  (Don’t be fooled by the distances – the shortest leg of all probably has the most difficult climbs and descents!)

How will I get there / how will I get back?

That is the golden question!  Once we have a list of people who want to run, we will work as a team to arrange who runs which legs.  Once that is decided, again as a team we’ll work on plans to get everybody where they need to be, at the time they need to be there.  And away again once you finish your leg.

This is why we need people’s entries confirmed so far in advance, both to recce the route but also to plan all journeys.  If you can drive and have access to a car, that will be a help.  But if you don’t – don’t worry, we as a team will get you where you need to be.

How fast do I have to run it?

How long’s a piece of string?  Whatever pace you want to do it!  While there is an element of racing against the other clubs taking part, this is less of a race and more of a team achievement.  The winning team don’t get anything (except longer to wait for their fish & chip supper!), and it’s more about turning up, enjoying the day and supporting each other.

How do I sign up?

Let Rosie or Tom know if you want to take part (see details above, or find us at training).  Let us know that you’re in, we’ll add your name to the list, then once we have all names we will be in touch so, as a team, we can decide amongst us who runs where.

When do I have to sign up by?

Let Rosie or Tom know by SUNDAY 9 MAY.  This might seem early, since the relays are on 20 June.  But trust us – we will all need that time to figure out logistics, to have time to check out the leg we’re running to recce the route, etc.

Can I run with someone else on a leg?

Absolutely.  If we have enough people take part, you can ‘double up’ on a leg to run with someone if that’s what you would prefer to do, or bring someone from outside the club to run with you too.  (Several people did this the last time we ran the relays as a club, in 2019.)

Can I run more than one leg?

Are you mad?!  But yes, you can run more than one leg.  Depending on the number of people that want to run, and how the team legs are split, it could be that you run two consecutive legs (several Harriers did this in 2019), you may run one leg then be a ‘partner’ to the runner of the next leg, or you could even run a leg, rest/recover, and then run a later leg (I think one or two Harriers did this, too, in 2019).  This will all be sorted out by you and the rest of your team.