Introducing Rank Strangers and the June 8-9, 2012 Madison-Chicago relay

Short of words when it comes to recruiting for Rank Strangers? Here's how I recently introduced the team to a prospective runner.
Eric
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I am a member of the 12-person relay team called Rank Strangers that has run the 200-mile Madison-Chicago race since 2005, the only team to compete every year of the race's existence.
"Rank Strangers" is word play in a number of ways. Mostly significantly, we are not strangers. Thirty-seven (37) different runners have made the journey and all were referred by Rank Strnagers or a trusted friend of the Rank Strangers. What we look for are people who...
1. Have the sense of fun and adventure that will see them through a day and a night bouncing around in a van with 5 other runners. Strong bonds will form!
2. Love running. We don't stress speed, but running 3 times over a 30 hour period for a total of 14 - 20 miles is a challenge.
We start building the roster in mid-January. Veterans get first shot at the 12 spots, and the Alternate list. Then we open up to new referrals.
We have had as many as 6 rookies on a team and as few as 1. Alternates have always found a way into a van.
Cost per team member is typically $150, which covers entry fee and van rental.
A wealth of facts about the relay is on the Rank Stranger web site at www.rankstrangers.info . You'll also see posts about recent races by Rank Strangers; we like to track the accomplishments of our teammates.

Renee's big day (and a Boston update)

Today was another highlight to the Rank Stranger season: Renee Roux had a strong run in the Marine Corps Marathon in the DC area. Renee is a 4-time Rank Stranger (2007-08, 2010-11).

Boston update
Art Saffran will join Jennifer Sell at Boston Marathon to give us two representatives in the the April 1, 2012 event. Jennifer's qualifying time, her first, came at the Fox Valley Marathon in September. Art will be running for the third time. His qualifier was Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010 - the Rails to Trails in Norwalk, WI.

Unofficial list of Rank Stranger Boston qualifiers:

Holly Dowling
Eric Engdahl
Art Saffran
Jennifer Sell

Other action

Jeff Shampo (2005-2011) ran Milwaukee's Lakefront Marathon on Oct. 2.

Art ran marathon #13 on Oct. 16, in Des Moines. "My time was 3:53:04. Respectable considering my lack of running this season. Perfect weather and a beautiful course. I recommend this marathon to all."

Jennifer showed her speed at the Frank Lloyd Wright Races in Oak Park, IL on Oct. 24 - winning her age group in the 5K.

Another big day for Meachams

They missed the 2011 run relay but this has still been a big year for Rank Strangers Denise and Randy Meacham. Two personal records apiece!

Randy (2006, 2007, 2009) ran his second PR of the year at today's Chicago Marathon, finishing in 3:33:17 on a hot day. In May at Kenosha he broke a 9-year-old PR with a finish time of 3:35:05. In February he ran 3:44 on a hilly course in the Lost Dutchman (AZ) race.

It was Randy's 15th Chicago marathon in a row, his 19th Chicago marathon overall, and his 42nd marathon over 19 years.

Denise (2007, 2009) cracked 4 hours for the second time in a row, 3:59:42. (At Kenosha she broke 4 hours for the first time, in 3:55:49. She had her previous personal best of 4:02 at Lost Dutchman.)

Another Boston qualifier for Rank Strangers

Rank Stranger Jennifer Sell ran a personal best and a Boston qualifying time today in the Fox Valley Marathon, 3:45.7. Jennifer ran a negative split, averaging 8:41 through the half and finishing with an 8:38 average.

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.