First American Odyssey Relay to start in Gettysburg

200-mile race to Washington, D.C., will bring teams in touch with history

(Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) - 2/11/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE �

CONTACT:

Bob Fleshner, Race Director

American Odyssey Relay

Running and history will cross picturesque paths across three states, several Civil War battlefields and some of our nation�s capital�s most famous memorials as part of the inaugural American Odyssey Relay Run Adventure, a unique team relay event to be held April 24-25, 2009.

Spanning approximately 200 miles, the race will start in historic Gettysburg, where some of the most famous battles of the Civil War were fought. Runners will encounter several covered bridges and streams before crossing the famous Mason-Dixon Line into Maryland and Washington, D.C.

�We�ve spent close to a year constructing a course that will be incredibly scenic, safe and simple to follow,� said AOR Race Director Bob Fleshner. �Whether you�ve done other relays or this will be your first, you�ll absolutely love running where the locals run.�

In Pennsylvania, the race will start east of Gettysburg near the Gateway Gettysburg complex. Runners will head north to Hunterstown Road and Old Harrisburg Road and then south down to Downtown Gettysburg. Runners will head out of Gettysburg on Baltimore Street and Steinwehr Avenue. The course will then make its way southwest on rural roads across the Sachs Bridge and over the Carroll Valley. Runners will head up South Mountain before heading down to Waynesboro and into Maryland. A course map is available at www.americanodysseyrelay.com/coursemap.html.

�This is a great way to showcase Gettysburg and Adams County,� said Norris Flowers, President of the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau. �This will hopefully encourage other runners to visit and enjoy our serene, and historic, countryside.�

While the course doesn�t lend itself to spectators, organizers are encouraging anyone who wants to watch, come to the starting line at Gateway Gettysburg. Runners start leaving at 7 a.m. on April 24.

This inaugural American Odyssey Relay race is limited to 150 teams (each consisting of 12 runners). Each participant will run three separate legs of the 36-segment course, and each team will be equipped with two vans to transport teammates throughout the race. It is expected the winning team will finish in less than 24 hours, although many teams are likely to take between 30 and 36 hours to complete the course.

The course continues directly through the Antietam Battlefield and then onto the C&O Canal and through Harpers Ferry in West Virginia before and entering Great Falls Park in Potomac, Md. Runners will then head toward the historic home stretch against the beautiful backdrop of the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, with the finish line located adjacent to the FDR Memorial.

The relay still needs volunteers to help with the race. These volunteers will help manage exchange points and help with parking and materials needed for race day. Those interested in volunteering should call (301) 706-2266 or email [email protected].