Ragnar runners conquer Morgan Valley’s challenging terrain

With hundreds of teams consisting of 12 teammates, two vans per team, 36 legs and two hundred miles, the two-day relay, Ragnar Wasatch Back, ran through Morgan Valley on June 7 and 8. Starting in Logan and ending in Brighton, Morgan provided several exchange stations for teams to meet up after switch runners after each leg.

After running over Trappers Loop, runners met their team at Mountain Green Middle School, the next runner ran down Old Highway with the next exchange happening at the Dirt Spot. The next exchange spot was at Milton Park after running down North Morgan Valley Drive. Crossing the Stoddard Bridge, runners once again ran down Old Highway meeting their team at the exchange at the fairgrounds. Running adjacent to Como, runners made the steep climb over what the locals call Polaris Hill and to the high school where the next team member started their run out of Morgan up to East Canyon. 

Popular in both the U.S. and Canada, the Ragnar Relay was founded in 2004 in Salt Lake City and gets its name from the legendary Viking hero, Ragnar Loðbrok, made famous in the recent TV series. The impressive race, now in its 20th year, is also held in 20 different locations around North America and is the largest relay series in the United States. Ragnar is a great way for participants to not only push themselves physically but to build and strengthen lifelong friendships and teams. 

Due to the vast expanses and sweeping mountain vistas, running culture has blossomed in Utah, and Morgan is no exception. Nestled in the Wasatch Back, Morgan provides a safe running environment, good trails and roads and views that can’t be matched outside the mountainous region.

This event is not only fun for the participants, locals enjoy helping at the exchange stations and lining the roads to cheer on the runners. λ