Beach to Bay 2010

Just as I was late in coming to distance running (I was 55 the first year I ran a marathon), I have come relatively late to relay running. They are really two different animals, linked by the fact they both involve running. I believe I'm in truth not too out of the mainstream to have discovered relay running only after I was well committed to running individual half marathons, marathons and ultras. This is all to say that they've been staging the Beach to Bay Marathon Relay in Corpus Christi, Texas for 34 years (Saturday's 2010 event will be number 35). I've been involved since 2006 when I organized the first team of runner musicians who represent the Mid-Texas Symphony.

The Beach to Bay (B2B) has grown immensely over the years. Last year's numbers were staggering: 1,980 teams, comprised of over 12,000 runners. B2B has a personality all its own. There are runners who have run every year. There are teams from up and down the coastal plain, teams from Mexico, Kenyan runners who have just discovered the race. There are teams which run highly competitive races, there are grudge matches between rival teams, and then there are teams who are there just because of the event. It's an excuse to party, it's a reunion, and it's sometimes a big mess when teams are too casual about it all. The smart teams have a plan, the casual teams don't. But even with a plan there are many variables, often unanticipated. I remember one year when our anchor runner got caught in a terrible logjam of traffic while driving to his handoff spot. The poor 5th leg runner got to the end of her leg and panicked when she couldn't find the anchor (final leg) runner. He finally got there 10 minutes late. Ironically, this was our best year in terms of finish time.

This is not a race for the purist. Truth is, the purists find themselves vastly outnumbered in practically every race these days, and I'm happy for it. The purists I speak of are those who believe races are for the serious runners, those who train long and hard, run their sprints, take a hardened approach to the business of racing. These purists complain about the "commoners" who have taken over their sport. I respect the grit and the sweat and sacrifice the purists put into their efforts, but I applaud the middle pack runners and admire those who run (or even walk) in the back of the pack. Surely, running should be our sport, inclusive of all who lace up the shoes and make a commitment to log miles, whether it's walking, ambling, or running.

B2B is a people's race. Look at the participants and you see South Texas. Few events of this size reflect so truly the population of the region. In fact, this is where the census takers need to be. They would see a majority Hispanic participation joined almost seamlessly with a lighter skinned 40-45%. If there is a shortcoming, it's the relatively low numbers of African-American runners. And then there are the kids! There are Elementary and Middle School teams, and these kids can really run! The winning Elementary Boys team last year came in under 3 and a half hours; the winning Elementary Girls finished in under 4 hours. The fastest Middle School Boys team finished in just over 3 hours, good enough for 47th place overall!

The experience of B2B for the Mid-Texas Symphony team is part reunion (we are scattered from San Antonio to Austin and in between) and part love of running. This is where our team began. In the beginning, we were none too certain relay running was anything we would enjoy. After that first race, we were like a bunch of giddy kids. We've been running together ever since and counting the experience as a blessing. That's why I can't wait to get to Corpus tomorrow. I just LOVE running with my team.