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What was the origin of this event?
After experiencing the traffic, congestion, stress, and logistics required for teams running the Hood to Coast, we decided in 2007 there was a need for another relay in Oregon that provided a stress-free experience. Our emphasis was to create a relay that was challenging, while allowing our participants to enjoy a beautiful course without the traffic & congestion. The Smith Rock Race Group, LLC wanted our runners and walkers to enjoy fresh mountain air, open spaces, beautiful vistas, and experience a relay race with friends & family and getting back to your roots. The idea for a relay was formed in 2007; thus, the Cascade Lakes Relay in Central Oregon was chosen and the inaugural year July, 2008 started with just 62 teams, continuing to grow each year in numbers and popularity.  NOW the Smith Rock Race Group has decided to bring you, your friends and family to a new adventurist destination.  Oregon has several beautiful destinations and we believed opening a new relay in Northeastern Oregon was a perfect location for our relay!!  Our philosophy is to bring tourism and economic opportunities to the rural communities in Oregon. We will always strive to provide a better relay experience and our original goals and emphasis will remain our focus.

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What are the starting times?
Running teams will start at approximately 6 – 6:15 AM on Friday from OTIC. Teams start in waves every 20 minutes, seeded by your average 10k team times, with the goal of all teams finishing at Pioneer Park, La Grande between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM in time to enjoy the festivities before sunset. Walking teams will start between 8:00-10:00 AM on Friday from Halfway, OR.  High School Challenge Teams will start at 10:00 PM on Friday night from Halfway. The course and the finish line will close at 9:00 PM on Saturday.

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What is the course like?
The course starts at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (OTIC) outside Baker City, Oregon.  If you are looking for YOUR NEXT GREAT ADVENTURE, then the Hells Canyon Relay traversing the Oregon Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is your relay!! You and your team will be traveling through rural agricultural country, Richland, Halfway, through Wallow-Whitman NF road 39, down into the Western-style towns of Joseph & Enterprise, through some of the most beautiful scenic gorges, rivers and pastoral towns for which Eastern Oregon is famous.  Continue west through Wallowa, Elgin and your high-mountain relay adventure ends in La Grande, OR.  There you and your team will finish at the Pioneer Park in downtown La Grande.  If you are seeking a challenging course where you can find real adventure, then this is the event for you!

Visit the Travel Oregon website for more information.  http://www.traveloregon.com/explore-oregon/eastern-oregon/trips-we-love/hells-canyon-scenic-byway.aspx

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What charities benefit from the Relay?
The Smith Rock Race Group, LLC is committed to supporting selected local charities in all of our events. Our focus is to bring opportunities to raise charitable funds to numerous local non-profit organizations in the Northeastern Oregon region. In our inaugural year, we are anticipating helping many local charities in the communities we are going through, so check back to see who we have added as our charitable partners.  Please check our website for our “Hire a Volunteer” program.  If your team cannot fulfill the obligation of bringing two (2) volunteers to the relay, the HAV program is the answer.  Many deserving non-profits in the small rural communities along the route are ready and willing to be your volunteer/s!
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Will team names be censored?
We are all adults and we expect everyone to act responsibly. We want everyone to have a great time and to use good taste and demonstrate good judgment in the selection of team names.

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Are you soliciting event suggestions?
Absolutely. We are looking for positive input and your ideas on how we can make this a great event year after year. We take feedback from our participants very seriously and constantly strive to improve every aspect of the HCR. We send a survey to all participants after each event to gather your feedback, or you can send an email directly to info@hellscanyonrelay.com, or rosemary@smithrockrace.com with your suggestions at any time.

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What is the distance?
The Run course is approximately 195* miles and starts at Oregon Trail Interpretive Center outside Baker City, OR while the Walk and High School Challenge course is approximately 135* miles, and starts in Halfway, OR.  Both courses finish at Pioneer Park, La Grande, OR, located on Palmer Avenue between Cedar and Alder Streets.
* check back for a more accurate distance, once our GPS map is available.

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How many members are on each team?
Each Running Team consists of no more than twelve runners. The race consists of thirty-six (36) Legs. Each runner is required to complete three (3) of the 36 legs; however we do not require runners to run their legs in any order. Each team is allowed to strategize as a team on how best to complete the course. Runners/Walkers are not allowed to switch vans, but any runner in the active van can run any of the 6 legs. Each Walking Team and High School Challenge Team consists of between eight and twelve (8-12) runners. There are 24 Legs, so each participant on a 12 person team completes two Legs; on an 8 person team, each would complete three Legs. We also have Ultra Teams at the HCR which consists of between four-six runners.  Military, Active or Reserve Teams can consist of the same number as the running or walking teams.

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How many volunteers does our team have to provide?
Every team must provide two (2) Volunteers who are at least 18 years of age or older. Volunteers must be physically capable to perform the assigned duties.  Volunteers are not allowed to bring pets or children under the age of 12.

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When will volunteer assignments be posted?
Volunteer assignments will be completed early August 2012, if your team is already registered by that date. Emails will be sent out to all team captains and volunteers with instructions/locations/times. A packet of information will be provided that includes volunteer instructions and driving directions to the exchange points and volunteer sites.  All volunteers from your team will be assigned to the same exchange point as much as possible, so carpooling and working together is highly encouraged. We ask that all volunteers complete a six-eight (6-8) hour shift, be prompt, and allow additional time for driving to their assignment. We will do our best in assigning our volunteers to locations closest to their home to reduce driving time for all of our volunteers.

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Can we hire our volunteers from one of your charities?
Teams who are having difficulty finding or unable to provide one or more of their required two (2) volunteers shall make a charitable donation to a designated charity that will provide the volunteer(s) to meet your volunteer requirement. The minimum donation for one (1) volunteer is $100 if requested when your team registers. This is an excellent opportunity for your team to support a local charity in NE Oregon.

For more information and to request this option, please contact Jessica Yasutome at jessica@smithrockrace.com. 

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Can we hire our volunteers from one of your charities?
Teams who are having difficulty finding or unable to provide one or more of their required two (2) volunteers shall make a charitable donation to a designated charity that will provide the volunteer(s) to meet your volunteer requirement. The minimum donation for one (1) volunteer is $100 if requested when your team registers. This is an excellent opportunity for your team to support a local charity in NE Oregon.

For more information and to request this option, please contact Jessica Yasutome at jessica@smithrockrace.com. 

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Can we buy a Participant Shirt for our Van Driver or Volunteer?
Yes! We appreciate how important van drivers and volunteers are to your team and they should be recognized for their efforts. We are offering the opportunity for your team to purchase a tech-shirt for your van driver and/or volunteer at a reduced cost of $15. Shirts will be available to purchase at the packet pickup and team check-in site in Baker City on Thursday night or at the Finish Line. Limited sizing and stock will be available, so buy your shirts early.

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How many teams are there?
We encourage as many teams as our route can handle.  At this time, we estimate that we can handle about 100 teams for the inaugural year. Registration opens on August 29, 2011 and will remain open until August 15, 2012.  Register by December 31st for the lowest registration fees!

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How does the guaranteed entry work for Inaugural Year Teams?
Any team that participates in the inaugural year will receive a “Lifetime Guaranteed Entry." Inaugural year team captains must register no later than December 31st of the current year to receive guaranteed entry. After December 31st, registrations will be first come, first served until the event sells out. Team names do not have to be the same; team captains must remain on the team but can designate a new team captain.  Let us know what your inaugural year’s team name was in 2012!

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How does the medical emergency partnership through AirLink or FireMed help us on the course?
Our FireMed ground partners are certified emergency medical personnel who specialize in advanced trauma care. FireMed member households are covered by over 80 Oregon FireMed affiliates. You can enroll as a FireMed member separately or in combination with an AirLink membership.

http://www.stcharleshealthcare.org/airlink/ground_partners.html
Your membership benefits are honored by the following ReMed affiliates: