There are 250 runners participating in a nonstop 3,016-mile relay from San Francisco, California, to Washington, D.C. [1] The event departed on June 14, 2026, and will conclude on July 4, 2026. [2] The 20-day relay honors military veterans.
The flag is carried day and night across 15 states. It never stops moving. Every mile of the relay is run in honor of a veteran nominated by an American who knew their service.
Every mile of the relay is run in honor of a veteran nominated by an American who knew their service.
Exactly 3,000 names are joining the flag on its journey to the National Mall. They will finish on July 4, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
Strict Requirements
The cross-country relay is entirely run by volunteers. No one is paid for their participation. Runners and field crew members pay for their own gas and meals.
Lodging along the route relies on host families and motels. Organizers state the event is not for the faint of heart, as runners face long days and hard nights.
Stats
Because of the strict requirements, they are averaging a 9:20 mile. And they have already passed through northern Missouri.
Annual Tradition
Directors Wyatt and Joe previously met while running 50 marathons in 50 states. The leadership team plans to build this event into an annual tradition for the country.
Notes:
- ^Relay For America. (2026). America 250 Relay. Retrieved from https://www.relayforamerica.org/ (go back ↩)
- ^Ibid. (go back ↩)
