Relay for Life Spring Thaw 5k Race

April 2011

All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns and Ann Viles ©2011 - present
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references at the end of the article.

Why would over 100 people pay to get up on a cold, rainy/snowy Saturday morning to run or walk over 3 miles? To raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life program.

According to their website:
"The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length. "

~ RelayforLife.org (see link below)

The Watauga County sponsors 2 Relay for Life races each year, the Spring Thaw in April and the Scarecrow Run in October. Participants pay entry fees and make other donations which are all given to the Watauga County Relay for Life. Sponsors provide t-shirts, repfreshments and prizes for the runners and walkers.

Scenes from this year's Spring Thaw race:

Some interesting links related to this story :

• Watauga County Relay for Life website
• Relay for Life website
• Boone NC Chamber of Commerce - Outdoor Activities
• VisitBooneNC.com website
• TownofBoone.net website
• HighCountryOutdoors.com website
• Appalachian State Cross Country website
• Watauga County Swim Complex