The Colorado Relay is one of my favorite events of the year. If you are not familiar with the race, then I can give you a brief overview:

A team of 10-12 people run about 200 miles total from Breckenridge to Snowmass. The team is divided into two vans that each have about 5-6 runners who take turns completing legs of different distances and difficulties. The race starts on Friday morning and ends sometime Saturday afternoon. Someone is always running – even through the night. When I first heard of it, I thought these people must be insane. Turns out, I fit in well with the insane. They are a fun group!

This kind of relay is an amazing effort of teamwork, adrenaline, excitement, nerves, exhaustion, and endurance of a very different kind. Last year, I had the opportunity to be the last runner. My leg was the Rim Trail near Snowmass. Here’s a map and description of the route:

See all that climbing? That was hard. Here’s a photo I took from our hotel of the ridge the trail runs along the top of. If I had any question about why I was so sore the next day, all I needed to do was look out the window:

And here’s a view from the top of the rim. It’s amazing! I highly recommend checking it out if you are in the area. Just remember to take plenty of water and snacks. It’s not an easy hike / run:

But this post is suppose to be about friendship, and here’s what I think it really comes down to: finishing together. Cheesy, right? But I’m serious. Traditionally, the team waits for the last runner about a quarter of a mile before the finish line and everyone crosses the line together. I’m assuming it symbolizes how we all did our part over the course of the weekend. Maybe it’s just a shadier place to stand, but it makes that last runner feel super awesome.

Last year, my team met me on the approach with a bottle of champagne they proceeded to shake up and spray on me, the rest of the team and a good part of the crowd that had gathered waiting for their runners. This is most of the Sticky Buns team headed towards the finish:

Favorite. finish. ever. What was your most memorable finish? Who was there?