Relay races are a fun way to get your team to bond and tap into their cooperation skills. They are also great tools to use in group fitness sessions, especially when focusing on coordination, agility and timing.

In long distance relays (such as a Ragnar), each runner runs a different leg of the race. The length and difficulty of each leg varies greatly, so it is important for each member of the team to train with a focus on their leg. For example, if someone is on the second leg, it’s important that they run as much as possible to prepare for the grueling hilly terrain and to have enough energy to complete their portion of the race.

Sports Relays and the Spirit of the Olympics: Promoting Global Unity

During the relay race, runners must exchange batons at a specified changeover zone, which is usually 10 meters before and 10 meters after each lane of running. The outgoing runner must hold their arm out in order to receive the baton, and they should make a verbal signal to the incoming runner that they are near the exchange zone. Failing to hand off the baton within the exchange zone can result in a disqualification.

Another simple relay game is to have teams line up, and one at a time, each player takes off their shoe and puts it in a large pile in the middle of the playing field. Then, the team members take turns running to the pile, finding their shoes and returning to their starting line. The first team to have all their players complete the race wins.