Auburn’s Adam Ulrich was one of four winners of a nationwide contest to join 20 “Biggest Loser” alumni as they run a 200-mile overnight relay along the Southern California coast on April 15-16.
Ulrich will join Cris Garthe of Houston, Charissa Potrafka of Honolulu, and Jenni Loeffler of Cranberry Township, Pa., in the Ragnar Relay Series presented by NordicTrack.
The contest called for die-hard “Biggest Loser” fans to submit a video or essay on why they should be selected to trek 200 miles with the show’s alumni.
The four winners will be flown to Southern California for four days, provided lodging and other pre-race festivities.
In the months leading up to the race, winners will exercise and train in anticipation of the “victory” run where they will spend 24-30 hours with former “Biggest Loser” participants in decorated vans using teamwork to complete the race.
“We know how difficult it can be to lose weight and we embrace the opportunity to meet and join individuals like Adam, Cris, Charissa and Jenni who have done it themselves,” said Sione Fa, “Biggest Loser” Season 7 alumnus.
Ulrich, who will join Brendan Donovan on Team Black, submitted an inspiring story that detailed his “Biggest Loser” style journey of losing nearly 100 pounds in nine months. He transformed his health from overweight and diabetic, to running multiple races in the 5K and 10K distances, as well as Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage just last year. He has maintained his weight for two years, and his diabetes remains in remission.
“I am incredibly humbled, honored and excited at being selected,” Ulrich said. “I hope to learn from others who have found ways to maintain their weight, as well as to inspire others with my story and to share with my teammates and family a memorable Ragnar experience.
“My family and friends have been a great support on this journey and I am thankful to have them in my corner,” he added. “I am excited to join my Black Team in Southern California in April and do my very best to help the team and have a great time.”
Overnight relays have become the fastest growing running category and have continued tremendous growth with more than 70,000 runners expected to participate in Ragnar Relays in 2011. Those interested in participating can register on the company’s website at www.ragnarrelay.com .
About the relay
Ragnar Relay Southern California starts off April 15 at Huntington Beach and takes runners on a 200-mile adventure-fest through Southern California’s most scenic paths. The course guides runners south along Pacific Coast Highway, taking in the ocean breeze and passing historic surf towns on their way to San Diego. The overnight race wraps up on picturesque Coronado Island on April 16.
Teams consist of 12 members, divided into two vehicles. During the relay, each team member runs three legs, each leg ranging between 3-8 miles and varying in difficulty.
The first vehicle will drop off the first runner, drive ahead a few miles, cheer the runner on, and provide them with water, snacks and support. That vehicle will then drive ahead to the first exchange point to drop off the second runner and pick up the first runner when that leg is complete. They will repeat this pattern for six legs until they hand off to their second vehicle. This leapfrogging pattern will continue day and night all the way to the finish line.
