From Friday, Sept. 16 to Saturday, Sept. 17, Ragnar Relay Napa Valley will cover 184.9 miles of the Bay Area’s most scenic vineyards and farmland. The adventure begins in San Francisco at Marina Green Park. Runners will cross the Golden Gate Bridge, taking in the Bay breeze as they trek through popular destinations like Sausalito, Petaluma, and the Russian River Valley. Runners will be guided south to Sonoma through the Valley of the Moon, and north again through the rolling hills and vineyards of Napa Valley. The race wraps up amid the oak-studded mountains of Calistoga where racers will enjoy a festive finish line party.

This is Ragnar Relay Series’ first race through the wine country. A Ragnar Relay team consists of 12 members. During the relay, each team member runs three legs with each leg ranging between three to eight miles and varying in difficulty. So from the elite runner down to the novice jogger, it’s the perfect relay race for anyone. Each team is responsible for providing two support vehicles, with six runners in each vehicle. The first vehicle drops off the first runner, drives ahead a few miles, cheers the runner on, and provides he or she with water, snacks and plenty of love. That vehicle then drives ahead to the first exchange point to drop off the second runner and pick up the first runner, completing one leg. They will repeat this pattern for six legs until they hand off to their second vehicle. This leapfrogging pattern will continue day and night all the way to the finish line.

To keep it fun, each relay race has a contest for best decorated van, best costume and more.

This team running format is becoming popular across the country, with many teams running for charity, physical accomplishment, or camaraderie between friends, co-workers and family. Ragnar Relay Napa Valley has named the San Francisco Police Activities League (SFPAL) as their official race charity.

To find out more about the Ragnar Relay Napa Valley race, visit www.ragnarrelay.com/race/napavalley.