Greetings!
Back in 1985, Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon spent 24 hours running and walking around a track and got friends to pay $25 for the privilege of accompanying him. He raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society and planted the seeds of Relay for Life, the #1 program (by far) on the Run Walk Ride 30 list.
For many years, Relay for Life had the relay concept pretty much to itself. Lately, we've observed some interesting experimentation going on in the relay category. For example:
THE LONGEST DAY: On June 20, the longest day of the year, supporters of the Alzheimer's Association participated in a sunrise-to-sunset relay to raise awareness and funds. Teams organized their own activities and pledged to have at least one member in motion throughout the 16 hours of daylight on the longest day of the year. Each team member pledged to raise a commitment fee and was asked to raise a minimum of $100/hour of activity (suggested minimum: $400).
Piloted in 2011 and launched in a modest way this year in order to continue testing, the program attracted about 200 teams and raised more than $200,000, according to Lynn De Hoyos, the association's director of constituent events.
Over time, The Longest Day has the potential to become a major signature program with strong fundraising economics because of its "do-it-yourself" format and largely virtual support, said De Hoyos.
RUN TO THE SUN RELAY: Launched in 2011, this 95-mile overnight relay in Austin has raised over $500,000 in two years for the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation.