Lake Tahoe Relay race a labor of love for family
By Chris Murray, Reno Gazette-Journal
Every year in early June, April Carter and her family gather for a reunion at Lake Tahoe.
But unlike most family reunions, this one isn’t just about catching up and reminiscing about old times. It’s largely about work. And a race.
That race is the DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay, which celebrates its 47th anniversary this year and is the oldest distance relay race in the United States.
“We’re just trying to carry on the tradition,” Carter said.
Carter’s father, Robert DeCelle, created the seven-person, 72-mile relay that circles Lake Tahoe in 1965. It’s steadily grown and an expected 117 teams and 820 runners will line up when the race begins at 7 a.m. Saturday.
DeCelle served as the administrative assistant for U.S. Olympic teams in 1968 and 1972 and often trained athletes at Tahoe’s high altitudes. It was then that he decided to create this race and make it his labor of love.
