River to River Relay Race To Take Place On April 22, 2023 – WMOK’s discussion with Pope County Sheriff Jerry Suits

The River to River Relay is a long distance relay race in which teams of runners run from the Mississippi River to the Ohio River, covering a distance of 80 miles. It is where teams of eight runners compete on an 80-mile course. Over 2000 runners take part in the race every year. Each runner completes three sections that range in length from 2.5 to 4 miles. Teams are started in groups every 30 minutes beginning at 6:15am and continuing until the last group is started at 8:45am. The finish line closes at exactly 8:00pm.

The race takes place in the southern part of Illinois beginning near Wolf Lake, Illinois and ending in Golconda, Illinois. The race starts at McGee Hill in LaRue Pine Hills on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River Valley. The course follows country roads (mostly paved but some stretches of gravel) through the Shawnee National Forest to its finish at the Ohio River in Golconda.

The race is run across the southern tip of Illinois. Runners form teams amongst each other and submit race applications in October. After the race, massage tables are ready for runners to use, a band plays, food stands are set up, and awards are given out.

The River to River Relay, the first of which was organized in 1987, is held annually on the third Saturday of April.

For relay registration and more info click here: http://rrr.olm.net/

Hear our full Coffee Break with Pope County Sheriff Jerry Suits here