Yes, it is Reach the Beach. It is an approximately 200 mile, about 24 hour - 30 hour relay race. It started in 1999. It currently goes from Cannon Mountain to Hampton Beach. Up to 425 TEAMS of 12 people run the 36 legs of the course. The runners are mostly from the New England area but there are runners from around the country and some are international. Each team has 2 vans that leapfrog the transition areas where runners swap. The officials work in concert with the towns they run through, placing signage and requesting police support in key areas. The runners all have red and white LED lights, front and back, for visibility. The event supports a charity.
Most of all, it is a LOT of FUN as teams decorate their vans to a theme and many wear some type of costume elements. Some of the transition areas provide parking and food and can earn donations from that activity and the volunteers have a lot of fun as well. The whole atmosphere is VERY happy and the runners are VERY appreciative of the support of any volunteers and the communities they run through.
Beyond the typical running injuries and the occasional lost runner, I have never heard of any significant accidents while on the roads.
Think of the "inconvenience" of the Boston Marathon.
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