Check Out The Three Videos Of The Fairfax Relays

Hi All,

Hundreds dress up for festive Fairfax run

FAIRFAX — Six middle schools and 14 high schools gathered under sunny skies for the fourth annual Fairfax Relays at BFA-Fairfax High School on Tuesday, dotting the course with colorful costumes as they mixed a fall party run with a little competition.

"This is the best race of the year," said BFA-St. Albans coach Mike Mashtare, who each year welcomes the chance to see his runners relax before they turn their full attention to preparing for the upcoming district and state meets.

"This is a unique event on the high school running calendar," Fairfax coach Fred Griffin noted. "It is situated in mid-season between two large, pressure-packed invitationals, Burlington and Thetford, and offers kids a break from the rigors of the long running season.

"Each year it is the single largest event of any sort in Fairfax."

The course and the racing format are setup with friendly competition in mind. Haybales create a steeplechase effect on one part of the course and highway signs warn about speeds in excess 65 mph on another. Mounded plates of baked good prizes are awarded for best original costumes as well as to the top three places in each of the divisions.

"Music blares and kids dance, but the racing is still first rate with nearly 700 runners vying for the goodies on a 2.5K race course that loops through rolling meadows almost entirely visible from the stadium," Griffin said. "This year more than 300 spectators were on hand to watch the event."

The Messenger has three (3) videos of the Fairfax Relays yesterday. Check them out by clicking on the following links:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid626986530/bclid716496992/bctid1213999041

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid537027993/bclid716496992/bctid1214063188

The following video is announcing the winners:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid537027993/bclid716496992/bctid1213979520