1. Temple 2 Temple Relay
Published 25-9-12
Garet Hawley
In the brisk, 40-degree morning 90 teams gathered south of the Rexburg Idaho
Temple to race the 37.2 miles to the Idaho Falls Temple.
“It’s awesome to gather this many people with a shared passion,” Kwani Winder,
the relay coordinator, said.
Coming swaddled in blankets, beanies and jackets the few passerbys may not
have guessed a race was taking place.
As the sun slowly passed the horizon, runners emerged from the warmth of fleece
or wool cocoons to prepare.
Stretching, jumping and high-knees move runners from one check-in station to
another.
Team sign-in; shirts; pictures back-dropped by the Temple; group meetings; last
minute safety instructions.
Waves of runners started just after 6:30 a.m. and by about 8:30 a.m. all the teams
had started the relay.
Participants were divided into divisions of male, women, or coed teams with 1-8
runners per team.
Austin Patten, a junior studying Business Management, was one of the few solo
runners.
“I have run marathons in Utah, Idaho and Illinois. This is going to be a stretch of
my capacity. I’m really nervous, but focused. I’ll be fine when I calm down,” Patten said.
Janette Leishman, a junior studying Therapeutic Recreation, joked about the
decision to race.
“I’m as excited as I can be about running. I was feeling really excited a few
months ago. This morning I’m not so sure. … When I’m old and grey I’ll be so proud I
did this.”
Runners from all experience levels came to compete. According to the Relay
Handbook, teams only needed to average 12-minute miles to participate.
The relay strongly encourages team spirit, healthy competition and personal
wellbeing.
“I decided to race maybe two days ago,” said Caitie Metts, a senior studying
Biology.
“I really hope not to die in this race. I know can do it.”
With about 700 participants, 200 more than last year, and over 50 volunteers
coordinating the event was challenge.
“I coordinated the second year and my husband coordinated last year. Another
person couldn’t do it this year, so I did it again. Coordinating over 50 volunteers is
difficult. This relay isn’t possible without [volunteers],” Winder said.
Volunteers were assigned specific legs of the race to set up traffic cones, water
stations and route directions for runners’ safety.
Eric Young, a junior studying Mechanical Engineering said, “I have three
stations: the start and two other legs. We stress staying hydrated so people aren’t passing
out during their race.”

2. The last leg of the relay was surrounded by an encore of cheers and applause from
other runners, fans and passerby’s.
“It was really tough to finish,” Metts of team Tikka Masala said. “I wanted to give
up especially at the hills. After I crossed [the finish line] it was rewarding. I loved to see
my team there cheering for me.”
Fit in between the river and the Idaho Falls Temple, the final stretch was typically
finished with each team engulfing the final runner with support.
Andrew Bayba, a junior studying Mechanical Engineering, said, “it motivated me
to have my teammates there. My moral went up and I ran faster. Plus, whenever I saw
another kid, I had to race him. That’s what this is after all, a race.”