Garnto accepted on 208 mile Relay Team

Al Garnto of Blairsville.

Congratulations to Al Garnto of Blairsville who was accepted for the 3rd consecutive year by the Blue Ridge Relay Team. This is a 12-man Master Division team of some of the strongest long distances runners from this area and across the USA.

Al feels it's an honor to be on this team again, stating, "I have looked forward to this race all year. It is an awesome experience and one I feel very blessed to be a part of. " Al further states, "I will really enjoy racing with these guys instead of against them for a change."

On September 7th and 8th the 208 Mile Blue Ridge Relay (BRR208), one of the longest running relay races in the United States, takes place in the picturesque Blue Ridge and Black Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. The BRR208 consists of 12 person maximum and 4 person minimum teams that rotate through 36 transition areas as they cover the 208-mile distance of the race. Each relay team member runs 3 legs of varying lengths and difficulty and will cover an average total distance of 16.6 miles. The runners rotate in a set order once the race begins and will be obligated to follow this rotation until the final runner finishes in Asheville, North Carolina.

The BRR208 starts at Grayson Highlands State Park, Grayson County, VA, which is near the base of Mount Rogers (5729'), the highest peak in Virginia. The course primarily follows scenic, country roads as it winds its way through North Carolina's High Country to the finish in Asheville. The course features some of the region's most spectacular scenery including the balds of Grayson Highlands State Park, the New River, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain (5964'), and Mount Mitchell (6684'), the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.

The team's final time in last years 208-mile race was 26 hr. 14 min. 51 sec. They maintained an average pace of 7 min. 34 sec. over the 208 miles and placed 3rd over all.

Al's Sponsors are Tom Colwell, Pro-Teck Machining & Fabrication, (706) 835-3000, Exit Realty Mountain Properties, (706) 781-1884, Brian & Bret, Davenport's Body Shop, (706) 745-5886, Antiquities in Murphy, Toll free (877) 837- 0764, Al Garnto Fine Art Studio, (706) 745- 1200.