To Bone and Back Relay

The ‘To Bone & Back’ 40-Mile Relay, Ultra Marathon, and 5-Mile Run is a very unique running experience. The event started in approximately 1990. There have been minor changes over the years, including: involvement of different sponsors and beneficiaries, small changes have occurred in the route, previously dirt-and-cobble stone sections of the road are now paved, and huge windmills are now visible along much of the route. However, the basic concepts of the event have remained unchanged. The majority of participants are runners in 8-person relay teams. Each runner carries the Bone baton for a 5-mile leg, and then hands off to the next teammate. Teams include men’s open, women’s open, family, co-ed (at least 2 female), masters (all runners over 40 years old), and high school teams (co-ed, boys, and girls). Options are available for teams of smaller sizes, including 2-person teams (each member running 20 miles) and 4 person teams (each member running 10 miles). For the truly adventurous, the 40-mile ultra marathon is available! For those unable to get a relay team put together, the 5-mile run is available. The route begins at Summit Orthopaedics in Idaho Falls, and continues along winding, hilly country roads to the small farming area called Bone. The Relay Race then returns along the same route. See the course map and elevation profile under the “History and Course” tab above. This is not your ordinary 5K or 10K run! It takes some planning, effort, and coordination to get your team ready, committed, and signed up. The 5-mile legs can be nearly flat, they can be very up-and-down, they can be nearly all down-hill, and they can be nearly all up-hill! Because each team is involved in the entire 40-Mile event, the race lasts for several hours, and heat, wind, and rain can be a factor. However, the teammates of each runner carrying the Bone are involved in cheering on their teammate and providing support. Thus, the camaraderie in this race is found in no other event. This is a very challenging race, and those who participate know it means a lot to be able to say, “I ran the To Bone and Back race!” The race is fully supported. There are water stations every 2.5 miles. The ultra marathoners have sports drink, energy gel packs, pretzels, gummy bears, and fruit available every 5 miles.