Video introduction to run relays

Rank Stranger Fred Bounds shared this video about Ragnar: video

Another take on the relay experience: Video

2012 dates announced

June 8-9, 2012

Rank Stranger photo book released

The annual Rank Stranger photo book has been released, commemorating the great effort by the 2011 team. Perhaps the best yet, the book has pictures by Renee, Pete, Art and Eric. A tradition since 2006, a book is sent to each runner. This year Brad and Jamie are on the cover.

This year there's something new from the geniuses in the Rank Stranger Marketing Department: a trading card. A prototype card featuring Jeff Shampo is circulating. The card has Jeff's photo on the cover and his Rank Stranger record on the back. If this test is successful, perhaps we'll see a full set of cards.

Rank Strangers rewrite the record book

The 2011 Rank Strangers crowded to the top of the team's all time mileage chart and set several other records.
In addition to shaking up the all time mileage list:
- Steve Hill joined the 20 mile club with 20.1 miles in his third outing. He came close in 2010 with 19.9 miles. Marc Golab also topped 20 miles for the 2nd time, with 20.7.
- Kim Hill joined the 19 mile list.
- Ed Stojakovic and Reggie Hill became Rank Stranger alumni, bringing the count to 37, 19 of whom have run multiple times.
On the all time mileage chart, 11 of the top 20 in mileage ran with the team this year. Jennifer (33rd going into the race), Jamie (32nd), Brad (30th), Debra (27th) and Kim (21st) jumped into the top 20 in mileage, all with at least 24 total relay miles (Jamie is 20th with 24.2 miles).
Eric stayed at #1 with 137.3 total miles, with Jeff second with 129.2. Art leapfrogged Mark Clear into third place.
Following is the top of the mileage list. See the "Record Book" page for the full list and the 20 and 19 mile lists.

Safety gear gets a scrubbing before its long rest

Their brief time in the spotlight over, the Rank Stranger blinky vests, headlamps and reflective vests have been cleaned and stowed away until 2012. Batteries were recycled. (Some racers favored their own headlamps but the Rank Stranger gear got a lot of sweaty action).

Race results

Rank Strangers finished 103rd out of 167 teams in Ragnar Chicago's OPEN DIVISION: MIXED REGULAR. Our average pace for the 197 miles was 9 minutes and 11 seconds per mile. See the Ragnar website for complete results --> results

The team 12 Monkeys won the division by almost 2 hours and placed third overall. That team averaged 6 minutes and 44 seconds per mile. The top 3 finishers:

Wrapping up

Team: congratulations again on a great job in the relay! Thanks for making it possible. I love the challenge of the relay but obviously with no teammates there's no relay. I've been struggling with my fitness but feel really good about my three runs. The good running weather helped me but I was also inspired by my teammates.

2011 Rank Strangers: Renee, Brad, Marc, Eric, Ed, Steve, Debra, Jamie, Kim, Jeff, Jennifer, Art.

Thanks to Renee for the great t-shirts. They are REALLY loud. Perfect for Rank Strangers.

Please send me your digital photos; I'll be assembling the annual photo book in the coming months.

Rank Stranger trivia fans: you can expect an update soon to the record book. Several noteworthy performances this year.

Rookie of the year? Ed, obviously. In addition to being a great, supportive teammate he is perhaps the fastest RS ever.

Performance of the year? So many great ones, but my vote goes to Kim's 9.9-miler on Saturday. A stiff and sore Van#2 had a daunting set of runs (9.9 by Kim, 8.2 by Ed, 7.8 by Steve) to finish out the race and Kim set the tone.

I hope everyone has made a good start at catching up on lost sleep - I certainly have.

Eric

Tee shirt study, courtesy of Art: