53rd annual DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay coming this June

On Saturday, June 10, 2017, runners will once again run counter-clockwise around Lake Tahoe during the 53rd annual DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay. Considered to be the oldest relay race in the country, the Lake Tahoe Relay began as a New Year's gag by a group of college runners in 1959, grew into a tribute to a beloved son, and has evolved over decades as a family's labor of love. With altitudes up to 6,500 ft. on the 72-mile course around scenic Lake Tahoe, this race is as fun as it is challenging.

The Lake Tahoe Relay teams consist of seven people, each running approximately 8- 12 miles who will start off the day bright and early at 7:00 a.m. and will have o be off the course by 8:00 p.m. for safety reasons.

The new host hotel this year is the Tahoe Beach Retreat.

New for 2017 is the inaugural one-person 72-mile ultra marathon circling Lake Tahoe. The event will start at 5:00 a.m. at the start finish line of the Lake Tahoe Relay. Competitors will have 15 hours to complete the course and will need to done by 8 p.m.

Also new for 2017 is the inaugural two-person 72-mile relay. Each member will run 36 miles alternating legs on as needed based off team dynamics. The event will start at 5:00 a.m. and teams will have 15 hours to complete the race.

In 1982, the Stereoscope Loafers erased the existing record for the 72-mile relay in a time of 6:16:28. The team consisted of six Olympians from Columbia. Domingo & Miguel Tibiduiza, Jairo Carrea, Henry Carvajal, Joaquin Leano and Derek May from South Africa, all who were running for the University of Nevada Reno at the time.

For the past ten years the Chico Track Club has dominated the Open Men’s division, having lost only once in 2011 to the BYU team. McFarland High School has dominated the Boys High School division. Lake Merritt Joggers and Striders have been great supporters of the relay setting records in the Men’s 50, 60 & 70-year-old divisions. The Old Birds hold the record for "longest participation" at 35 years.

This non-profit event is a labor of love and a memorial to Robert DeCelle Jr and Sr, beloved father and brother. All proceeds have gone to high school and youth running programs within California and Nevada. All of the timers, workers and the band are DeCelle family members or close friends.

Registration is available online at laketahoerelay.com.

For more information, contact Sean at (530) 545.0509 or runtahoe@outlook.com.