A little over a month ago, eleven Lancastrians and one Virginian embarked on a 197 mile journey from Cumberland, Maryland to Washington D.C. - on foot - running. The journey actually started many hours earlier, with a middle of the night van ride from Lancaster to Cumberland, leaving at 3:00 AM and arriving at beautiful Rocky Gap State Park outside Cumberland a little before 6:00 AM. Why you might ask? The reason for this 40 hour adventure can be summed up in the motivational picture to the right. The combination of fitness, fun, and fellowship drove the twelve contestants and over three thousand other participants to take part in the fourth annual Ragnar Relay Washington DC. The Lancaster Team, ranging in age from fourteen to 52, proudly wore Homestead Village colors and drove around in vans decorated with Homestead Village images. Throughout the trip, other participants and observers asked about Homestead Village and even happily took a brochure! Running the Ragnar Relay is much like living at Homestead Village. Combining the attributes above with encouragement, support and assistance, each runner completed their arduous task and the team completed the 197 mile journey in just 31 hours!
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Homestead Village's Ragnar Relay Team at the finish line.
The team featured teachers, accountants, a speech therapist,
an IT consultant, a nursing student, a high school freshman,
and even a retirement community president.
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Preparing to leave at 3:00 AM
Note the Homestead decorated van. |
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| Ragnar early in the morning. |
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| One of the scenic vistas in the mountains. |
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| Ragnar at sunrise |
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| Nearing the end |
