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The Challenge:The Texas Independence Relay is composed of 40 relay legs of various lengths, totaling over 200 miles. The course starts in Gonzales, TX, where the Texas Revolution began, and it finishes at the San Jacinto Monument, where Texas Independence was won! To tackle this formidable task, your team will be composed of 8 to 12 members (your choice!), and you'll have an exceptional time either furthering good friendships or making new ones! You'll encourage each other along the way while you visit the small towns of Shiner, Moulton, Flatonia, Schulenburg, Weimar, Borden, Columbus, Altair, Eagle Lake, Wallis, Orchard, Simonton, and Fulshear. Then, you'll make your way through the paramount city of Houston, experiencing it in a way you never have before! Racing on a team with your friends in this unique format over an incomparable span of Texas steeped with momentous history all amounts to a GREAT time that you’ll fondly remember for years to come! This all takes place over Saturday and Sunday, March 1-2, 2008. Come and take it… if you have what it takes! Participate in the Texas Tough Throwdown!Course Map (click on the map below to go to our interactive course map with information about each leg) Detailed maps for every leg will be provided in the race manual and can be found on our interactive map. Specifics are subject to change, so please refer to the Race Updates section (and perhaps sign up to receive the updates) to get the most current information. Course Description: Gonzales is a welcoming town that is clearly proud of its heritage. Your entire team will run a small loop together around downtown, marking the commencement of your journey. You’ll enjoy picturesque rolling countryside as you make your way from Gonzales to Shiner, where you’ll pass by its well-known brewery. Continuing along through Moulton, Flatonia, Schulenburg, and Weimar, you’ll appreciate each town's individual flavor, but you will also note that they all possess a distinct relaxing quality - set apart from the rat-race of city living. By the time your team reaches Columbus, the sun will have retired for the day. Eagle Lake, Wallis, Orchard, Simonton, and Fulshear will be sleeping communities as you pass through (though at least a few will stay up to curiously observe your unrelenting journey through the night). Pressing on tirelessly toward the finish, you and your team will follow the trail of little flashing lights (other runners).  When you begin to make your way through Cinco Ranch on the west side of Houston, you’ll notice the early indicators that a new day is underway. You’ll also become aware that you’re crossing the threshold between country and city. Between here and downtown, you’ll traverse paths that wind through pleasing parks (George Bush Park, Terry Hershey Park, Memorial Park, and the Buffalo Bayou). You’ll admire stately homes in well-preserved neighborhoods, and then, you’ll stride through downtown Houston, passing right by Minute Maid Park on Texas Street! After exiting downtown, you’ll navigate through an industrial section of Houston that is quickly followed by quiet neighborhoods. Then you’ll march due east towards the vast Ship Channel - all culminating with a celebratory finish at the San Jacinto Battleground and Monument! Registration Information:There are three registration divisions to - Open, Corporate, and Corporate Preferred. The Open division is for the traditional race registrant (in which people come up with teams on their own), while the Corporate divisions are designed for companies who value team building and fitness to reward their employees who’re willing to band together to go for it! The benefits of each are listed below.
Would you like us to give your employer a nudge to let them know they should field a team?! Let us know at Ourteam@TexasIndependenceRelay.com, and we’ll come up with a game plan together! Classifications: The Open Division is composed of the following classifications: Open (Men’s, Women’s, & Mixed) Masters (40-49 years of age; Men’s, Women’s, & Mixed) Veterans (50+ years, Men’s, Women’s, & Mixed) All Corporate Teams will compete within the following classifications (however, only Corporate Preferred teams are eligible to compete for the Corporate Cannon): Open (Men’s, Women’s, & Mixed) Masters (40-49 years of age; Men’s, Women’s, & Mixed) Veterans (50+ years, Men’s, Women’s, & Mixed) Mixed teams require 3 or more women, but teams with fewer women can still register in the men’s category. Race Fees: Race Fees for the Open, Corporate, and Corporate Preferred teams through October 31, 2008 are $900, $1100, and $1,850, respectively. From November 1, 2008, through January 31, 2009, the registration fees will be $1,000, $1,250, and $2,000. Lastly, if you’ve been running as long as we have, you likely agree that something seems amiss when races abruptly state that there are no refunds, deferrals, or transfers without exception. As a customer, you simply deserve better. If an unfortunate circumstance causes your team and you to be unable to participate in this event (and please accept our sincerest condolences if this were to happen), up until the close of registration, you will be allowed to defer the entry to 2010. Deferring after the close of registration will cost $250. Your Contact Information: When you register, it is very important that you provide accurate contact information as we will need to contact you as the race nears to acquire important information, such as the number of people on your team (8-12), the t-shirt sizes for your team, your team's estimated pace (very important in establishing your start time), and your contact number for the day of the race. If you know the names and e-mail addresses of teammates who would like to be kept in the loop, please furnish those by e-mailing them to us. We assure you that all contact information will remain confidential. |