Lisle runners lead suburban pack in Illinois River to River Relay race

Rick Eckstein didn't know what to think when he was given toilet paper, some fruit and dog biscuits before the first Illinois River to River Relay race in 1988.

It turns out organizers of the race in southern Illinois wanted to ensure runners would be prepared for anything during their 80-mile run between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

Eckstein and the seven other members of the Lisle Windrunners club who ran in that first race understood the point of the toilet paper and fruit. The reason for the dog biscuits wasn't immediately clear for eight people from the suburbs.

"There was a concern about stray dogs down there in southern Illinois," recalled Eckstein, a Lisle resident. "They gave everybody a box of dog biscuits in case you happen to run across a dog that was chasing you. You could offer him a dog biscuit to keep him away."

Turns out Eckstein and his teammates didn't need the doggy treats during that inaugural race.

But the experience of running on scenic country roads with forests and hills was something that inspired the club to keep sending teams year after year.

In today's race, the club will be represented by two squads in the competition, which has grown to attract 250 teams from across the country.

"They're one of just a few teams that have been with us from the beginning," race director Brad Dillard said.

Indeed, the Lisle group has two members in the race's hall of fame.

During this year's contest, the Lisle Windrunners will be joined by a dozen other suburban teams from North Aurora, Lincolnshire, Hampshire, Gurnee, Crystal Lake, Wheaton, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Geneva and Naperville.

Isola Metz, who is on the Windrunners' "Lisle A-Train" team, said the race - which begins on the western edge of the Shawnee National Forest and ends 80 miles east in the town of Golconda - can be quite challenging because of the number of hills along the course. At the same time, she says, it's a lot of fun.

"It's a bunch of grown-ups that get to suspend their grown-up attitudes and become children for a weekend," said Metz, a Wheaton resident who ran her first River to River Relay race in 1994.

Members of each eight-person team run three separate times during the course of the day. While the length of each segment varies, each runner ends up doing about three 5Ks carrying a baton, which they hand off to the next runner.

"They come to a marked exchange zone that's actually painted, just like you have at a track meet," Dillard said. "The second runner is there waiting. You hand off the baton, and the second runner takes off down the road."

Between handoffs, teams pile into cars or vans and travel to the next exchange zone - shouting words of encouragement as they pass their teammate.

"It's a real team atmosphere," said Jim Steimel of Aurora, president of the Lisle Windrunners. "You are cheering for your team the whole time you're not racing."

Adding to the excitement is that you're racing against other teams. Steimel said squads develop "little rivalries" during the race.

"At the end of the day, everybody feels like they sort of bonded because you have been together for a total of 12 hours," Steimel said. "So it's quite a bit of fun."

Of course, sitting in a vehicle as you travel between exchange zones and wait for your next chance to run can be difficult for athletes accustomed to traditional races.

"Most races, you go from start to finish and you're done," Eckstein said. "Here, you run a 5K and then you ride around in a van for two to three hours while everybody else on your team runs their 5K.

"It's like running three separate races within the scope of this one race. The third one is hard. You're a little stiff."

Still, runners can forget the aches as they enjoy beautiful landscapes along the course.

"It's just rolling hills, back country and wineries," Steimel said. "You're running on an open road. It's very rustic and pretty."

Dillard said Saturday's race will begin in waves, with the first set of teams stepping off at 6:15 a.m. Then 30 to 40 teams start every half-hour until 8:45 a.m.

He said the quickest team that wins the open division will complete the 80-mile course in 7 to 7½ hours. Slower teams take 12 to 13 hours to finish.

Because the course closes at 8 p.m., some teams won't reach the finish line in downtown Golconda. "We'll have 30-plus teams that won't finish for one reason or another," Dillard said.

The teams that do finish often take group photos in front of the Ohio River.

"I've run this race probably more than any other race," said Eckstein, who has participated in the relay at least 16 times.

At 65, Eckstein says he plans to continue participating as long as he stays healthy.

"I will admit I am slower," he said. "My days as a Speedy Gonzales are over. But my days as a jokester are alive and well."

River to River Relay

What is it: Teams of eight runners race relay style for 80 miles

Where is it: Southern Illinois, through the Shawnee National Forest between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers

How many teams: 250

When did it start: 1988