Record Number of Teams Participate in NIH’s First Winter Relay
Photo: MALIK LONON
It was a cold, blustery day, with the temperature barely above freezing, and yet more runners turned out for the NIH Institute Relay than ever before. A record 132 teams participated in the 40th annual relay on Dec. 11.
The relay brings teams together from across NIH to compete in a baton race on campus every year. It’s usually held in September but, due to inclement weather and then the federal funding lapse, the race was postponed until December. The relay’s theme was “Holiday Jingle Bell Run.”
This year, Pep in your Steptide won the relay with a time of 14:41. Their name will be engraved on the Allen Lewis NIH Memorial Trophy in the Bldg. 31 Fitness Center. Can’t Ignore the Official! finished second with a time of 15:41.
“After months of delays, we, as a staff, weren’t sure what to expect for the relay. We hoped to have some warmer winter days but we determined that having the event before the year ended would be best for everyone,” said NIH Recreation & Welfare CEO David Browne. “The NIH community needed a morale boost and this annual event is one of the biggest morale boosters.”
Photo: MALIK LONON
Despite the new date, the rules were the same. The first four runners each complete a half-mile loop around Bldg. 1 then hand off the baton to the last runner in an exchange area near the starting line. The final runner on each team must run the loop and then turn right at a chute to the finish line on the driveway between Bldgs. 1 and 2.
Before the start, ORS Director Colleen McGowan addressed the crowd. “This relay truly embodies the spirit of community and team building that defines NIH.”
NIH Deputy Director for Management Dr. Alfred Johnson and McGowan whistled the start of the race. NIH Police directed traffic to keep runners safe.
The first relay was held in May 1978. Members of NIH Health’s Angels Running Club conceived of the race. Since then, McGowan said, “the well-supported tradition has persevered through countless challenges, including government shutdowns, the complexities of Covid-19 and other unforeseen derailments. It’s a true testament to our collective resilience.”
Some runners said they preferred running in the warmer fall weather. Other runners were excited to run the race in the cold. Melissa Kitner-Triolo of NIA’s Pace of Aging said, “I’m more of a cold-weather person…And it’s nice to see people smiling and dressed up” for the holiday season.
Matthew Brooks of NEI’s In Rod We Trust added, “I prefer running in the cold. I can always put on more layers. And, besides, you can work up a sweat out in the cold, too.”
Other runners are just happy to participate in any weather. Antoinette Percy-Laurry of NIA’s Aging Runners remarked, “I’m just happy to get out of the office and be together with my colleagues for this.”
Photo: MALIK LONON
To commemorate the 40th anniversary, participating teams received race packets that included water bottles, bibs and bags. After the race, runners could grab a complimentary ice cream or hot chocolate.
This year, the Relay broke its participation record. More than 160 teams originally signed up to run. However, not every registered team could make the new date. Still, 132 were able to participate—up from the previous record of 121.
As usual, team names didn’t disappoint. Clever monikers included Lymph Laugh Love, Mighty Mito Racers, and Chasing LipodysTROPHIES.
“Despite all of the delays, we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out,” Browne concluded. “We’d love to do another holiday themed event in the future, perhaps before Thanksgiving in November when it’s a little warmer.”
The relay was sponsored by the R&W Association and ORS’s Division of Amenities and Transportation Services.
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