The 4 X 400 relay is my favorite track & field event – There is speed, teamwork and passing of the baton. Stringent rules governing the race require the runner to stay within his or her lane – if a runner drifts across the line, the result is disqualification. Then there is a 20-meter window, the exchange zone in which the baton is to be handed to the next runner – if the baton is dropped, the result is disqualification. Finally, the receiving runner must grasp the baton and hold onto it through the next leg of the race. When the relay is run well, it is beautiful to watch. When it is not, the clank of the baton can be heard throughout the stadium.
In the relay of life, dads come out of the blocks confident they can run the race well. Then the work begins as they ...read on