First of all, we wanted to express our gratitude for making it such an amazing day! I couldn’t write this without acknowledging the crazy wind! In our personal experience of running this race for years we’ve never seen a weather phenomenon. Based on all of you who have signed up already it didn’t stop your enthusiasm. We’ll try to set up a face-to-face meeting with ma nature and make sure that there’s perfect weather for the 55th DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay!
Your Comradery Is Infectious
Anyways, the DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay race crew wants to thank all of the competitors and support crews! Every June we feel fortunate to have all of you come to beautiful Lake Tahoe to run around this amazing lake to keep the tradition alive. We love to see all the comradery, it’s infectious.
New Changes for 2018
We strive every year to add new things to the event to make your experience better. This year we made some changes that we hoped you like – new start/finish location at Lakeview Commons, early start, Sufferfest Brewery, RaceJoy App, complimentary team photos and registration at Revive Coffee and Wine with a $5 coupon.
Shout out to our Volunteers!
I want to give a shout out to our volunteers; no race can make it happen with out them. I have multiple groups to thank – South Tahoe Cross Country, South Tahoe Dance Team, Sierra Education Foundation, Operation Rebound, Rori, Marie, Elaine, Mark and Dawn Luke, Dylan, Anna, Jim Cahill and my family. Thank you, you guys rock!
DeCelle Memorial Goes International
This year we had teams from multiple states and even had 3 international teams join us! International team KLM Dutch Airlines last raced the event 14 years ago! New to the Relay this year, we had 2 Manic RC teams from Toronto, Canada. We also had a new corporate team, Panasonic, with half their team from Japan.
Race Has Become A Family Tradition
We want to say thanks to multiple running clubs who have supported the race for years – West Valley Track Club, Golden Gate Running Club, That’s’ Fine Track Club and Impala racing. We couldn’t hold this event without you. Another awesome story is to see longtime friends like No Passing, who made this their 30th year and the Hoka Aggies who have raced the Lake Tahoe Relay for the last 26 years! On top of that, there are family teams like Raiders of the Lost Track who have raced with us for 16 years and now have their sons running with them! It really makes all the hard work for this race worth it.
Family Friendly AND Competitive in the same race
We had a great high school race again this year with McFarland, Fresno, MVXC and South Tahoe High School duking it out to the end. We hope to see even more high school teams join us next year. I also must give a shout out to That’s Fine Track Club who won their 5th straight Lake Tahoe Relay. They will have to come back next year to set the record because their tied with West Valley Track Club who won 5 in a row 1971 – 1975. The competition between these two teams and a couple others is awesome to watch.
FIRST ULTRA-FINISHER EVER
We had our first ultra-finisher this year, Diego Diaz who ran all 72 miles in 11:17.02! Best costume goes to …
The Speedsters! Best decorated car was Runs and Roses, thanks for your creativity. We truly enjoy your spirit and look forward to what we will see next year!
NEW FOR THIS YEAR – BEST SPORTMANSHIP AWARD
Another change this year, the Sportsmanship Award. We welcome you to nominate a team for our first ever sportsmanship award. We know it’s a tough race and a long day and we would like to acknowledge someone who helped you get through it.
Again, thanks for supporting the 54th DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay and we’re already working hard for next year and looking to continue to improve upon this already awesome event.
Just keep running and we’ll see you on June 8th 2019!
DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay Crew
