The following are some of the kind comments received about the wonderful group of volunteers who made the 2004 River to River Relay so special to so many:

Keith,

Just want to thank you again for putting on such a wonderful event. My team, "Los Tortugas", truly enjoyed themselves and are already talking about doing it again next year. Please extend our gratitude to all the people who help put this event in motion especially Gordon Pitz.

In our excitement we forgot to leave our individual addresses. Would it be possible to have all the team results booklets mailed to me?

Thanks

Ed Hernandez 

Keith, thank you for the correction.  We had a great day, as usual, and are looking forward to next year already.  You guys do such a great job with this race.

 It seems it runs smoother every year.  Great job!!!

Chuck

Keith, organizing committee and volunteers....you put on a WONDERFUL race....everything is very organized, the route well marked, the communities gracious to the runners,  and of course, the volunteers are the BEST!! and the scenery is unbeatable......thanks for a GREAT time in southern illinois...

james

Keith,

I just want to thank you for an awesome running experience. My friends and I

organized two teams -- Running Like the Wind and Team Sole -- for RRR. Out

of 16 of us, only two had participated in prior RRRs. All 16 of us hope to

return next year!

Many thanks to you and all of the great volunteers.

Karen

Hi, Keith. As the Meramec Maniacs manager, I second all you said. Personally, twice I had people give me water--much needed and truly a life saver, especially the third leg when I was dying.

We returned the favors, giving four people water and help along the way. The day was so fabulous for us, slow as we are. Everything was delightful! We've done this 14 times and will try again next year. THANKS! What a great day. Cheers, Diane Carson

Hi Keith,

I want to thank you and your staff on behalf of the Joints in Motion team

from Chicago.  We were the next to last team to come in after dark (red shirts).  We cannot begin to describe the incredible experience we had at

our first River to River Relay.  We were so thrilled and deeply appreciative

that you were still there when we crossed the finish line after dark (and

that we got our finisher shirts).

With our start time of 8:15 and predicted time of 13:05, we were obviously

concerned about getting in before the cutoff time.  Even though we did not

register an "official" time, we still made it in (accd to our calculations)

around 12.5 hours.  We were elated!

Thanks again for your terrific support and hospitality.  We'll definitely be

back!

Jenny Stinson

Joints in Motion

Chicago

Thank you Keith, and also we wanted to say that the new way in to the

start was a lot easier.  Any chance that will become the permanent

route?  As usual a great time was had by the Old Knuckleheads.

Thanks

Barb Franzen (fill in Captain for the OK's)

And thank you Keith.  The USP Marion team made it, but we were all super

tired.  We had lots of laughs, even when our vehicle (my van) had a flat

tire.  Thank God another team helped us relay runners until we could get

a spare.

I heard no complaints - none at all.  Everyone I chatted with was

simply honored to be part of this event.  They were all envious that we

lived right here in Marion and had the beautiful area to run in. 

Thanks again and I'll see you at the Board meeting. 

I was in the River to River Relay this past weekend.  Thank you for a wonderful long, hard and HOT race we had a great time.  Our team was from Alabama.

Patty Redd

I know you mailbox is flooded with messages like this, so just let me add our eight voices to the chorus of  of cheers that go to you and the 200 or so volunteers that make the Relay such a glorious event.  What a wonderful celebration of health, friendship, and the outdoors!   Congratulations on another terrific relay experience.

The Kansas City LandSharks

Andy Geoghegan, Captain ( The Great White-haired shark)

Keith,

Had a great time Saturday.  We appreciate all the hard work you and the others do to put together this race/event.

Hope to see you next year.

Mike Moll

Keith,

Just a quick note to say thank you to you and all of the volunteers for a great race.  Everyone on our team had a good time and are looking forward to doing it again next year.  We appreciate all the time and effort everyone put in to make this race possible.

Noelle Bartlam

Team Misguided from Dayton, OH

Keith, I would just like to thank you for all your hard work,I can only imagine what this past week has been like for you,the race was perfectly orgainized you did a great job! I hope to see you next year.Thanks again.

Myles Manzke(Justice Delayed)

Dear MRD,S, MRD,M & River to River volunteers,

The Angry Beavers would like to thank you all for everything you do to

make this event what it is.  I know you've heard it all before, but this

race is truly an extraordinary happening.  The support we receive from

you and your staffers is incredible, and the support we receive from

other teams is amazing. 

I have never witnessed such incredible acts of kindness from other

runners and teams than I have from this race:  people will give out

water to runners from another team, teams will exchange trinkets and

souvenirs (Mardi Gras beads, candy, refrigerator magnets...) and

everyone cheers on the other guy, while still remaining competitive.

I'm not sure if it's the good Karma that rubs off on us from you and

your staffers, or if it's the course and the "we're all in this thing

together" attitude, or a combination of the two and a few other

intangibles thrown into the mix, but whatever it is, it's working.

Keep up the great work, and I sincerely hope The Angry Beavers will make

the cut for next year's River to River.

Shelly Hester

Thank you sir for such a great job on the race. This was my first year to run in it and even though it was so hot I really enjjoyed it to the limit. Thanks for all that you guys do to get this going. Hope to see you next year. Bill Bole.Mixed nuts from Florence, Alabama

THANKS PEOPLE,

WE FROM PARK FOREST HAD A GREAT TIME.

Keith:

First - THANKS - your team did another great job  this year.  We had several first-time runners and they were in awe of your organization.

Second - I liked the new route to the start line - seemed easier and was more scenic.

Thanks again

Wes - team captain of The Buffalo.

Just want to say THANK YOU for another great River to River Relay.  Your volunteers were great once again this year.  Keep up the great work.  Your dedication and commitment in making this a great relay really comes through during the race.

Have a great year and continued success with the relay.

Tom Boler
Team Captain - Fleet Footed Fanatics
5 consecutive years running in this great relay

Keith -

As  one  of  the  members  of  the Eight is Not Enough Team (all first time

participants  in  the River to River Relay), I just wanted to pass along my

thanks  to  you  and  your  crew  for  all of your hard work over this past

weekend and in the months preceding the race.  Despite the amazing heat and

the  seemingly  never  ending  hills, my teammates and I thoroughly enjoyed

your race and the beautiful scenery that southern IL has to offer.

While  still  sore  and  thirsty, we are already making plans for April 16,

2005.

Jackie Jones

Keith:

Excellent job once again!

Tom

Keith,

   Our team "UnManned" had an absolutely fabulous time, as always.   Any

snafus that occurred were purely of our own making.  (e.g. couldn't find my

waterproof mascara)

   Thank you once again for you and your volunteers doing such a superb job.

I loved the new headquarters and next year we'll head for Bennie's to spread

our money around equitably.  Our lodging, as I mentioned at the race finish,

was phenomenal.  In fact, before we left we made reservations for next year,

April 15th and 16th.  They only have four cabins, but Valley View Cabins and

B&B (owner Leon Russell) was extremely accommodating.  The drive from just 8

miles east of Anna just off Highway 146 was very easy.  We figure that we

were only about 21 miles from the turn off from Route 3.

    Again, thanks so much again for allowing us to run in Heaven.  The

scenery and the smells of spring with sweet William and dogwoods in bloom

just made our senses come alive out there.

    Have a good year and see you next April.

Lolle Boettcher: Captain, UnManned

Keith:

Thanks to you and your staff for putting on a wonderful race.  This was our 7th year, and I think this was the best!  Thanks again. 

Tim Kaufman

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Keith: another good race, even with the last minute scramble to get to the

start.  i think you should seriously consider the same access route next

year if the same brave soul will voulnteer to man the railroad crossing. 

THANKS KEITH and Thanks to all the volunteers They are AWESOME! We love R2R! Hope to be back next year for the "3-peat".

                                   Laura Scherff

                                Shut Up And Run, Team Manager

Hi,

My name is Susan.  I ran in the race this year; it was a lot of fun.  I got my finisher t-shirt but did not have a chance to stop by the tent selling souvenirs of the race.  Do you have any left for purchase?

Thank you.

Susan Schaberg (team 802)

Keith,

On behalf of the Midnight Ramblers, many thanks for a terrific event.  We all had a spectacular time and look forward to a return trip.