NIH Relay Fosters Team Spirit, Breaks Records

Team Calbindin Snap at the ready.

Photo:  Marleen Van Den Neste

Every year, runners overwhelmingly say their favorite aspect of the NIH Relay is the camaraderie. This year was no different—only bigger. On a warm, sunny day in September, the 39^th annual NIH Relay took off. This time around, the Relay broke records with the most-ever teams participating (121!) and the most community sponsors.

“This annual event has truly become a cornerstone in NIH’s culture and employee engagement over the last 39 years,” said NIH Deputy Director for Management Dr. Alfred Johnson in opening remarks.

“Our on-campus events are vital to our NIH community’s happiness at work,” said Tammie Edwards, director, Division of Amenities and Transportation Services (DATS) in the Office of Research Services (ORS), before the first heat got underway. “We value our team-building experiences and being together for some fresh air.”

The Relay consisted of two heats. Teams of 5, each of mixed gender representation, competed. Each runner ran a half-mile loop around Bldg. 1.

The starting horn: NCI's Harold Seifried played the trumpet prior to each heat.

Photo:  Marleen Van Den Neste

This year’s fastest team was Fellows Running Club, unseating defending champs K-Space Invaders, who came in third. PEP in your stepTIDES came in second place by a mere second.

As expected, team names did not disappoint. They included Spore Losers; Legs Miserables; We’re Just Here for the Ice Cream; Ready, Set…Gonads; Ignorance is Blisters; Chasing LipodysTROPHIES; Urinary TRACK Infection, and ORS-timated Our Abilities.

The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) registered multiples teams, all of whom traveled together from their off-campus offices.

“I don’t see the main campus often,” said Pamela Jeter of CSR’s No-Brainer Trainers. “This is an event that’s about not being sedentary. One of the biggest risk factors for non-communicable disease is sedentary behavior.” 

DATS Director Tammie Edwards.

Photo:  Marleen Van Den Neste

Robert Bates of CSR’s Stamina Is Our Weakness enjoyed spending time with his colleagues, who all work in different divisions. He was also glad to return to this event. “The last time I ran in this Relay was 20 years ago,” he said.

“This is one of the coolest community events,” said CSR’s Lia Fleming, who was participating in her fourth relay.

“It’s always wonderful to see so many people come out to have fun and get some exercise, but you can’t underestimate the competitive spirit,” said David Browne, co-president of NIH’s Recreation and Welfare Association. “Some teams train weeks in advance.”

For most participants though, the Relay is a friendly competition. “It’s nice to get some sun instead of the fluorescent lights of the lab. Glad to get some vitamin D,” said Angelica Ortiz, a new employee at the National Eye Institute, running with the Really Reluctant Relay Racers. Her teammate, Kiam Preston, Jr., agreed, noting it’s important to get together outside of the lab environment.

Dr. Claudia Camargo of the National Institute of Mental Health, who regularly runs four times a week, was participating in her first NIH Relay. She ran with team NARDIS, research fellows who see each other daily, working in Bldg. 35.

NIAID’s Knaunong “Birdy” Xiong (r) wears a pink and purple headband—the colors of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell. She ran with postbacs, fellows and staff scientists on team Eosinothrills.

Photo:  Marleen Van Den Neste

“It’s the best community event at NIH by far,” said Rebecca Orris, who works at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Library of Medicine. “All the NCBI teams agree. Especially in the hybrid and remote world, this is an event where you can see others on campus and even get to know other people [across] your institute.”

On Relay day, Browne was excited to see the record-breaking turnout.

“When the relay started with the Health’s Angels over 40 years ago, I don’t believe [organizers] could have fathomed what it would turn into,” said Browne, who has worked at NIH for 20 years. “And while we’ve seen changes over the years, such as changing of locations due to construction, the one thing that’s remained the same has been the attendance of NIH’ers year in and year out. Despite the hybrid work schedule, we’ve seen two of our largest turnouts in back-to-back years.”

The NIH Relay is a chance for the NIH community to engage outside of their regular jobs, said Leslie Pont, wellness program manager, ORS. “The event is about building community, having fun and taking a break. At the end of the day, your wellbeing is the most important thing.”