YMCA announces first-ever Rib Relay

YMCA information

The YMCA of Van Wert County will be hosting the first annual Rib Relay, in partnership with RibFest 2012. This unique event is a two-person team where ability to eat is just as important as ability to run fast — but the strategy is in the barbecue sauce.

The first leg of the race will run, jog or walk the first mile, with an option at the start line to take a small shot of barbecue sauce that will deduct 1 minute off the team’s total time.  After the optional shot, the first person will run 1 mile to his/her partner where they will be waiting to start eating a half-rack of ribs to start the second leg.  At the same time, the first person will have the option to take up to 5 more shots of BBQ sauce to continue reducing the team’s overall time.

Each shot of barbecue sauce will take a minute off the team’s total time. When the second person gets finished eating his/her ribs, they will run a mile back to the finish line. The barbecue sauce is not mandatory, but a total of 6 minutes is a great deal of time.

The event will be held Saturday, August 4, in conjunction with the RibFest. Registration is going on now and forms are available at the Y or the Van Wert Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau office.  Race day registration will also be available and will begin at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds at 4 p.m.  The race will begin at 6 p.m.  The cost is $20 per two-person team on or before July 21, with a t-shirt included or $25 per two-person team Race Day registration, no t-shirt guarantee.

Awards will be given based on barbecue sauce adjusted time to each division (male/male; female/female; male/female) first and second place winners. The coveted Golden Rib Relay Championship Belt will be given to the fastest overall adjusted time.

“We are really excited to hold this new event in conjunction with RibFest,” stated Kristin Lichtensteiger, YMCA community wellness director and event coordinator.  “This is something fun and exciting for participant and the community to watch,” she added.

Information about this and other wellness programs available at the Van Wert YMCA can be found by calling 419.238.0443, visiting the Y’s website at www.vwymca.org, or emailing kristin@vwymca.org. The YMCA of Van Wert County is partially funded by the Van Wert County Foundation and United Way.