On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! It’s race time!

Grab your running shoes, a team of co-workers, and a cheering section, and join us for the 31st Annual NIH Institute Challenge Relay. The NIH Recreation and Welfare Association (R&W), original members of the NIH Health Angels, and the Office of Research Services, Division of Amenities and Transportation Services, are hosting this exciting event for the NIH community on Thursday, September 18, in front of Building 1, beginning at 11:45 a.m., with staging for runners at 11:30 a.m.

All Institutes and Centers are invited to enter as many teams as they like. Each team should consist of five runners, who will each run a one-half mile loop around Building 1. Each team must include men and women with at least two runners of the same gender (i.e., two women/three men or three women/two men). The team with the fastest finishing time will win the honor of having its name engraved on the Allen Lewis NIH Memorial Trophy located in the Building 31 Fitness Center. Each team will need to create a team name. Examples from last year include "Heart Today, Hertz Tomorrow", "Kiss Meiosis", "Run from Obesity", "Stem Cell Doping Squad", and "So Far Behind We Thought We Were First."

Come early or stay late this year and enjoy a whole NEW part to the Relay. Visit with on-site exhibitors including Geico, NIH Federal Credit Union, La Madeline, Eurest, Sprint and many more, or learn about the R&W services offered at NIH, including the wellness and fitness activities through the R&W Fitness Center.

Registration is now open. There is a $15.00 entry fee per team to cover expenses. The first 100 teams are guaranteed a spot in one of two heats. Please visit (R&W site is temporarily down. R&W Phone Number: 301-496-6061) to register for the event. We will accommodate registrations up to the day of the event. 

The main purpose of the race is to have fun, bring espirit de corps to the campus, get some exercise, and enjoy the company of other NIH runners. Gather your friends and fellow co-workers together now and form a team.

Individuals with disabilities who need Sign Language Interpreters and/or reasonable accommodation to participate in the Institute Challenge Relay should contact Ms. Kallie Wasserman, 301-496-6061 or the Federal Relay (1-800-877-8339). Requests should be made at least 5 days in advance of the event.

This event is open to all NIH staff, including contractors. Please obtain supervisory approval prior to participating.