Tidewater Striders Summer Series 3 x 2k Random Relay

Forgot to write about this fun race last night, so here goes:

Despite performing my McMillan workout I wanted to take advantage of this free evening race that is #2 of 3 in the popular Tidewater Striders Summer Series, held at the beautiful Norfolk Botanical Garden.

The idea behind the 3 person relay is to be assigned a random race number beginning with either a #1, #2 or #3 (I was #110). You then have to find the person with a corresponding number (in my case #210and #310) who then become your teammate. It all sounds a bit chaotic but usually works out very well, and makes for an interesting time while everyone locates their partners. Every year I meet new people that I’ve seen at previous races but never really talked to, and it’s a great way to get to know fellow runners in the area.


Just after 6:30pm the race started. All the #1’s started together to complete the first leg of the 2km relay (which actually came out a little short at around 1.07 miles). The start line is also the finish line and where you “tag” your #2 teammate who sets off to run their 2km leg. Finally the exchange takes place between #2 and #3 and the first team back to the finish is the winner. To be honest, no-one really cares who wins or comes in last – it’s just a fun event and a chance to meet new people and enjoy the beer, soft drinks and pizza after the race.

Here’s me (in blue) just after we started, me again about half a mile into the race, me on the final bend, and me again looking lost after the race!

Photographs taken by TriDuo.com Sports Photography who support all the local races.

For the record, my time was 5:44 for the 1.04 miles, which equates to roughly 5:31 per mile, and my team finished 16th place and safely in the middle of the pack!

6 thoughts on “Tidewater Striders Summer Series 3 x 2k Random Relay”

  1. I am preparing for my first Half Marathon that is in Chicago on August 10th. I have been using the book “Run Less, Run Faster” as a guide to how to train. One thing I know that I am really neglecting is how I eat. Any suggestions of what I should be eating? Not only daily, but before and after I run? Thanks!

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  2. I do love the freedom I have to be able to look for fun races!…There are just too many cool places to run…stay where you are and just travel to the fun places…(All around)

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  3. Hey Kittzy: Yes, the Summer Series is a lot of fun – a 4 mile countdown race, where you pick your start time and try to finish when the clock reached 00:00, the 3 x 2k random relay which we did last night and next week is a predict-your-time 4 miler where you’re not allowed to wear a watch, heart rate monitor or other timing device. All good fun…

    Michelle: Good luck with your half-marathon training. Nutrition is a tough subject to cover in a small comments box, but you’d probably benefit from checking the great Runner’s World Performance Nutrition for Runners book.

    Thanks for the comments,

    –Steve

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