Good morning.
* I enjoyed seeing many of you at the WTF races this past weekend.
*We are off to a good start with five relay teams and 17 ultra runners already registered.
* I have attached the 2024 registration form for RELAY TEAMS. A quick reminder, if you have more than 10 runners, use a second form to add the names. You can have as many as you wish on the team, but all team members will have to pay the registration fee. 
*At this time, I plan to attend the Recycle Run in FWB on Thanksgiving morning, the Reindeer Run in FWB on December 14, and the Egg Nog Jog in FWB on December 21 if you wish to turn in a registration form and money. 
*We should start passing out race packets to the team leaders at the Egg Nog Jog and later that day at Physical Select Therapy in Niceville. 
*If you plan to enter a team, email or text me so I can save you a slot.

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, December 28, 2024
Start/Finish- Elks Lodge on Okaloosa Island (no change)
Entry Fee Relay : $35 per relay runner, $5 off for track club members (no change)
Entry Fee: Ultra: $55 per ultra runner, $5 off for NWFTC members (no change)
Late Fee: $10 after Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Relay Registration- www.active.com
Ultra Registration- www.ultrasignup.com 
Host Hotel- The Island Resort (no change) The cutoff date for the discounted room rates is November 27th. We already have a good group that has secured a room. 
For all race information: www.roundthebayrelayandultra.com


Please spread the word and pass this on to anyone that you think might be interested.
Feel free to put this on any social media that connects runners.
T-shirts for the first 300 to register. 
Disclaimer: There may be issues with the Brooks Bridge Construction Zone in FWB. We are working with the entities involved to make sure we have a safe solution. 
Looking forward to another great Round the Bay Relay and Ultra!!!!

Registration has opened for the 2024 Round the Bay Ultra race. You may register at www.ultrasignup.com . Relay registration will begin August 1, 2024 on www.active.com. 

Race schedule has been set.
Friday, December 27, 2024 - Packet Pickup from 4:30-7:00 at The Island Resort.
Saturday, December 28, 2024- Round the Bay Relay and Ultra.
Sunday, December 29, 2024- RTB Bloody Mary Beach Recovery Run at the Island Resort beginning at 9:00 AM. 

Contact the race director at [email protected] for any questions. 

The 13th Annual Round the Bay Relay and Ultra is in the books!! Thirty-three ultra runners completed the 36.8-mile course and 37 teams with a combined 300 runners completed the relay. I want to thank our sponsors, volunteers and participants for an outstanding race day. Profits from this race are used by the Northwest Florida Track Club to support local high school cross-country teams along with a high school shoe fund for runners with financial needs. The website has been tentatively updated for the 2024 race. Complete race results will be added soon. Once again, thanks to all who helped make this the outstanding race that everyone enjoys. 
Special Props to:
The Elks Lodge and Dave Miller.
Select Physical Therapy
Billie Adams- food
B.T. Turner- music
Brian McMahon- permits and results
Bay Area Awards- race towels
Gearforraces.com - race shirts and visors
The Island Hotel and Jackie Blue
UnitedHealthCare
Joe Zarzaur Law Firm
Bodyworks by Bull
Run With It
and K.L., J.H., V.O. and especially my wife and family!!!!
​See you in 2024!!!
​

It's race week!! The weather forecast calls for temperatures in the 30's Saturday morning. Be prepared!!! 

PACKET PICKUP- FRINDAY, DECEMBER 29 FROM 4:30-7:00 pm AT THE ISLAND RESORT.
RACE DAY- SATURDAY, DECMEBR 30TH
BLOODY MARY RECOVER RUN- SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31ST AT 9:00 AM AT THE ISLAND RESORT.

Race day is less than three weeks away and things are shaping up for the race. There are over 30 ULTRA runners and 200 plus RELAY runners registered. The race SWAG is here, and the team relay bags are ready to be distributed. Price increase/late fee for both races begin Sunday, December 17th. 
I will attend the EGG NOG JOG on Saturday, December 23rd to pass out team bags to the captains of each team. Individual runners will need to get their swag from their captain.
Packet Pickup is set for Friday, December 29th at The Island Hotel from 4:30-7:00 PM. Race morning begins early at The Elks Lodge with the first ULTRA runners starting at 3:00 AM. Relay teams starting slots begin at 6:00. The goal is to have all runners, both relay and ultra, to finish at 12:45 when the finish line closes. 
Team starting times and race safety notes will be emailed to the team captains the week of the race. All runners must sign the Race Disclaimer prior to participating in the race. 
If you have any questions, contact the race director at [email protected] and yes, there are still shirts available and time to register!!!

The 12th Annual Round the Bay Relay and Ultra is in the books and according to all, it was another successful event!! A big thank you to all the runners, volunteers, sponsors and supporters for your part in making this race the most fun race of the year!! The weather gave us a break and the runners took advantage of a good running day. The post-race continues to be a huge hit with Billie Adam's food, B.T. Turner's live music, great fellowship and the hospitality of The Elks Lodge. 

I'll start updating parts of the website today to reference the 13th Annual Round the Bay Relay and Ultra tentatively scheduled for Saturday, December 30th, 2023. Once again, thanks for participating and have a healthy 2023 running year!!!

FINAL RACE DAY PREPARATIONS:

1. Please show proper respect to Corporal Ray Hamilton’s funeral procession. He gave his life for our protection, and we want to honor him and his family.
   1. When returning to The Elks, if traffic is backed up, you may park in the Destin West parking garage, the Welcome Center or Beasley Park across from the Elks and walk across the street to the post-race.
   2. I have an American Flag for each team. Feel free to bring your own to add to it.
2. If weather conditions deteriorate during the race, make a smart safety decision!
3. Starting Line- make sure your runner is at the starting line ten minutes before your designated time to receive the race slap bracelet and final instructions.
4. Food and drinks are provided for runners who paid the entry fee. Non-runners may participate with a $10 donation. Food and beverages were purchased on the paid runner count.
5. For those familiar with the course, it helps if you use alternative exchange areas.
6. Airport- runners will use the service flat road to the left of the overpass. DO NOT GO INTO THE AIRPORT PPROPER.
7. Use the leapfrog approach if your team is not on pace to finish at 12:30. Make sure to do this early in the race as the funeral procession may bring runners to a stop somewhere during the last eight miles of the course. Plan to be at the airport by 10:30-10:45 depending on the speed of your last runner.
8. Our finish line personnel will also be involved in the race. If your team finishes prior to their/my return, check the time and let me know when I get back. Food and drink service will begin at 11:00.
9. See you tonight at Packet Pickup (for those who haven’t already received their swag bags) and let’s have a great race tomorrow!!!!

ULTRA RUNNERS:

1. If you leave before I get to The Elks/starting line, text me at 850-830-6179 with your starting time. I plan to be there by 4:30 AM and will setup under the awning of The Elks. Once you arrive, check in with me.
2. Illuminate and wear reflective gear. The first five miles are really dark!!
3. AID STATION INFO-
   1. First and third station managers- Charles and Debra McKenzie, 2nd station- Daniel Samac
   2. All runners must check in (name and bib number) at each aid station for accountability, even if you have a crew.
   3. The first aid station opens at 7:00 and all runners should be through there no later than 9:00. If you aren’t, text me (850-830-6179) with your name and bib number.
   4. If you have to drop out, notify race director ASAP so I can alert the aid stations and account for you.
4. Airport- run on the flat road to the left of the overpass. You will not enter the airport but will travel parallel to 85 South.
5. I will have a flag for each Ultrarunner just past the Crestview/123 exit from 85 South. They will be placed in the ground about five yards apart. Pick one up for the funeral procession. You may drop the flag off at the third aid station.
6. Aid stations will have extra water if you need it. Have a great race!!!!