I can’t tell you how much this year’s race meant to me personally. It wasn’t easy putting it on and our path forward will be as hard as ever but maybe that’s why this “race” means so much to me and my family. This year’s race brought back a flood of emotions and great memories of all the races we had the opportunity to be a part of. As Mike Myers’ character Linda Richman on SNL used to say “I’m a little verklempt, talk amongst yourselves.” Now that the 58th DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay is in the books, it’s time to reflect on this year’s race. Whether it was as a racer or race director, this event truly is an amazing day every year!
To Our Volunteers
First, I want to express my biggest thanks to the folks who helped make it happen (the race crew). To my supportive family Cara, Leyton, Tinley, Jim, John, Kenny, Mark, Emily, Sawyer, Sasha, and Paul. If it wasn’t for you all, we wouldn’t be able host this event due to your tireless hours of effort. A HUGE THANK YOU!
To The Sponsors
Without the support of the following companies and people, we also wouldn’t be able to host the oldest and best relay in the US! Each of our partners have either helped financially, let us use their space, provided products or given their time and all of them are very important to us. A big thanks to Lakeview Social for hosting the registration.
This event is so special and has such an amazing history. It gives us, (The Sweeney’s) great joy to host it every year especially this one. The entire race crew was touched by the people we met, the friends who returned and the stories that warm our hearts. It was like a reunion of the family!
I used to run this race every year, and it was always my favorite event of the year. Now being on the other side, our goal is to keep this event alive and well. To all the competitors who ran this year, we can’t thank you enough. If you didn’t show up, there wouldn’t be a Lake Tahoe Relay. Below are a few things that stick out in our minds about this year’s relay. I’m sorry I can’t mention every team, but it doesn’t mean we don’t care about you!
2 Years Off … A Little Bit Of Rust
We can’t stress this enough. We’re so happy all the teams that ran the race and supported the event yet again after two long years of waiting. We can’t apologize enough that the timing for leg 7 malfunctioned after the first four teams came through. You can tell it’s been a while and we’re all a little rusty. We’ll get it right next year!
Summer Crowds Equals Parking Problems
Two years has done a number on parking at Cave Rock and Sand Harbor. We notice how tight it was this year and will be working with Nevada State Parks Department to come up with a solution to make it easier next year. One viable option is we may need to have an earlier start. The early start moving to 5 am and the main one jotting back to 6 am instead of 7 am.
Some Fun Thoughts From This Year’s Race
Winners of this year’s men’s open, men’s 40+ as well as setting a new course record for their division and women’s open division.
It may be June, but Tahoe always loves to throw a curveball with weather. In past years, we’ve seen everything from blue bird heavenly days to torrential gusty torrents with even a chance of snow. This year’s event brought us toasty temps and a sampling of Washoe Zephyr winds… all in all it was a great day for running.
No Passing – 30 years in a row!
Raiders of the Lost Track – a family reunion for the past 22 years with 3-4 generations now running!
High Schoolers – we had 3 high school teams this year and they all ran well
West Valley Track Club – won the men’s open, men’s 40+ while setting a new course record for their division and women’s open division
Tactical Growth – the 1st female duo team
Corporate Division – we didn’t have any corporate teams this year but hope they will be back again
We only had 1 team not make it to the finish line before dark — that has never happened before in our time managing this race. Talk about some fast people this year!
Thanks again to all of you who support this event year after year and for allowing us to host it. We look forward to the 59th Decelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay on Saturday, June 10th, 2023.
— The Race Crew (The Sweeney’s)
Don’t Forget & Save Big!
Just a reminder, we’re offering a one-time special of $550 for your 2023 registration if you sign up before June 30th! Get rewarded for planning ahead! Read our article Best Sale Of The Year For Lake Tahoe Relay 2023 to learn more on how to register and save.
