By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Saturday, May 10, hundreds of runners crossed through Panora as part of the Market to Market Relay Race. The event started at sunup in Jefferson, and the 75-mile course ended in Des Moines. Teams of six to eight runners competed to see who could cover the distance the fastest.
The 75-mile route was broken into 18 “stages” ranging from 2 to 6 miles each. Each team had one member run the first stage, then a different teammate ran the second stage, and so on. More than 200 teams had registered for the event. The relay ran on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, as well as some streets and gravel roads.
Throughout much of the morning, the parking lot at Hometown Foods was full of team vehicles, as the event’s teammates arrived and stocked up on food and drink. Local law enforcement, EMS and other citizens helped as the runners passed through Panora. For example, Chaille Crandall volunteered by calling out team bib numbers as runners neared the exchange zone so that the next runner could be ready to go. After Panora, the next exchange zone was in Linden.
Guthrie County Reserve Deputies Jason Steenhoek and Jason Hemann handled traffic control as runners crossed Highway 44 during the Market to Market Relay Race on Saturday. Panora EMS staff and an ambulance (background) were on hand in case of need.
Kristen Crouthamel helps runners safely cross a street in Panora.
The parking lot at Hometown Foods quickly filled with arriving teams.