Diamond Lake to Mt. Bachelor Relay now Cascade Lakes Relay

The Smith Rock Race Group located in Bend Oregon today announced that the Diamond Lake to Mt. Bachelor Relay has been renamed effective immediately. The new name will be Cascade Lakes Relay – Diamond Lake to Bend Oregon. This change of name reflects the fact that the finish line for the event will now be the nationally recognized Planned Community of NW Crossing. Event organizers decided to make this course change based on significant offers of logistical support, sponsorships and access to facilities from both the public and private sector.

Brian M. Douglass, Executive Producer of the relay stated, “As our event became more widely known offers of partnership came from many sources. We concluded that having the event finish closer to the City of Bend would also be more popular with our participants.” The event looked at several sites including local parks, resort properties and the Old Mill District none of which were either available in 2008 or were sustainable for this anticipated growing event into the future.

Douglass,went on to say that “we are not interested in looking over our shoulder every year wondering if we can get government permits and whether the site will be large enough to host our event.” NW Crossing offers us the opportunity to build our “own community event complex” on Bend’s popular Westside. The City of Bend, Deschutes County, Bend LaPine School District and the Bend Visitor and Convention Bureau have been very supportive. Efforts are underway to work with residents, local business owners and the Summit High School community to host this exciting new event.

Currently more than 30 Run and Walk teams have registered and the event is still six months away. Event information is available at www.cascadelakesrelay.com.