Red Rock Relay Moab

If one of your goals is to run a race, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to go out and tackle a typical 5K or marathon. Instead, put together a team of your fitness-minded friends and run a relay race in a fun destination where you'll cover 200 miles in less than 36 hours. The great thing about a relay race is that novice runners can participate with those who are more experienced, since each leg varies in length and difficulty. And after your run, you'll get bit of downtime-most relays require teams to have vehicles to shuttle you to the next leg.

Our Startle.com team rounded up five exciting relay races that are sure to jumpstart your running game.This picturesque race is one for history buffs. The American Odyssey Relay starts in the shadow of Gettysburg, Penn.'s Civil War battlefields (they're about an hour north of Baltimore), and makes the trek down to Washington, D.C., passing some of the most famous landmarks in American history. Each of the 36 legs ranges from easy to very hard and is between 3.2 and 8.7 miles. After crossing the Mason-Dixon Line, teams can refuel (and shower) at the "Odyssey Oasis" during legs 16 through 18. The route continues through other historical sites, including Antietam National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry, W.Va. In the home stretch, the final runner crosses the Francis Scott Key Bridge in D.C. and 14th Street Bridge to join your team at the finish line at the Southwest Waterfront. April 26-27.

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