June 22 declared Utah Ragnar Day by State of Utah
2013 marks 10th Anniversary of overnight relay run event series that will bring 17,500 runners to Utah, millions of dollars to economy
Take notice, folks. Ragnar Relay is now an unofficial, official holiday in the state of Utah.
Ten years after its humble beginnings in 2004 with some 260 runners and a handful of volunteers that created the 200ish mile overnight relay from Logan to Park City, today the State of Utah has declared the fourth Saturday in June as Utah Ragnar Day. This year, that will be June 22, 2013.
The declaration comes on the heels of the race’s 10thAnniversary, which for the first time will add a third day to the overnight team relay event. Ragnar officials expanded the event from 12,000 participants in 2012 to 17,500 in 2013, with teams this year starting on both a Thursday – Friday run along with the traditional Friday-Saturday experience.
The official declaration will be presented at a Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back Kick Off Celebration on Wednesday, June 19th at SCHEELS in Sandy, Utah. Utah Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell is expected to present the formal declaration, designated by Governor Gary R. Herbert, at a press event.
“For the past ten years, Ragnar Relay Series has brought hundreds of thousands of people to Utah to experience the beauty of our state, contribute to our economy, and create positive impact in our communities,” said Governor Gary R. Herbert. “This declaration is a testament to the founders and organizers of Ragnar Relays for their vision and commitment to bring such memorable events to Utah.”
The declaration notes that over the past ten years, more than 200,000 people have participated in Ragnar events around the world, and today the largest overnight running relay series hosts 21 races across North America. The series not only contributes to the wellness of communities, but also to the welfare of communities through The Ragnar Relay Extra Mile Program. Introduced in 2012, the program contributed more than $130,000 in financial and in-kind donation to community organizations across Utah.
“When we set out ten years ago to share the beauty of the Wasatch Back communities with runners through Ragnar, we only dreamed of the day when 17,500 runners from around the globe would travel to Logan for the race,” said Tanner Bell, co-founder of Ragnar Relay Series. “To have our race continue to grow across North America, to hear so many unforgettable, life changing stories of from participants, to see our team continue to grow and believe in what we’re trying to do, it’s a dream come true. And now to have Governor Herbert designate the last Saturday in June as Utah Ragnar Day is just awesome. We’re all just so humbled.”
The 10th annual Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back will take place June 20-21 and June 21-22 from Logan to Park City. The event is expected to bring 17,500 runners, more than 2,800 vans and buses, and several million dollars of economic impact to the state of Utah the last weekend in June.
In addition, through the race, Ragnar and its great community partners including SCHEELS, will contribute nearly $150,000 in donations and in-kind services to nonprofit organizations and community facilities throughout the course.
For more information about the 10thAnnual Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back Anniversary event visit: http://ragnarrelay.com/race/wasatchback
Matt Braun
Ragnar Relay Series
414.270.8350
www.ragnarrelay.com
About Ragnar Events
Based in Utah, Ragnar Events, LLC is the largest overnight running relay series in the United States. Traversing inspiring and scenic destinations around the country, these events make testing your limits a team sport. In the Ragnar Relay Series (www.ragnarrelay.com), teams of 12 run a 200-mile relay over two days and one night; in the Ragnar Trail Series (www.ragnartrail.com), teams of 8 run a 120-mile trail relay over the same time span. Participants connect in memorable relationships, conquer a challenge that could not be done alone and celebrate with medals and finish line festivities. Often called a slumber party without sleep, pillows or deodorant, this unique relay turns out crazy costumes, inside jokes, close quarters and unforgettable stories. Begun as a single relay from Logan to Park City, UT in 2004 by college roommates, Dan Hill and Tanner Bell, now over 200,000 people have run in the Ragnar Relay Series, which boasts 21 races, including Canada, and is growing every year.
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