relay race

noun

, Sports.

1. a race between two or more teams of contestants, each contestant being relieved by a teammate after running part of the distance.

relay race

noun

1. a race between two or more teams of contestants in which each contestant covers a specified portion of the distance

Word History and Origins

Origin of relay race¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

In the past, they have sponsored pizza and drinks for a fantasy-football draft and also covered the race fees for a 24-hour team relay race in the mountains.

From Outside Online

Managers choreographed a relay race, with handoffs of vaccine containers outside the biosafety airlocks.

From Washington Post

Even if Fairphone wanted to support a phone forever, Android software updates do not work that way, and major OS updates normally rely on a relay race of companies that all need to hand-off a build of Android before it reaches your phone.

From Ars Technica

The Wife-Carrying Championships In this 18th-annual relay-race competition in Finland, one important thing sets it apart.

From The Daily Beast

Generations of Spooners before him had taken up the surname and carried it like runners in a relay race—often into evil ways.

From Project Gutenberg

The score was a tie, therefore, with the result of the meet depending upon the relay race.

From Project Gutenberg

He had dropped in the harness and younger men were taking up the relay race.

From Project Gutenberg

This game differs from the track event known as a Relay Race.

From Project Gutenberg

West asked to be excused, as he wished to prepare his horses for the relay race which was to begin later.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Relay Race

What is a relay race?

A relay race is a race between two or more teams in which each member of a team completes a portion of the race. A relay race is often simply called a relay.

Relay races are held in both track and swimming. Each portion of a relay race is called a leg, and each leg is completed by a different member of the team. The time it takes to complete a leg is called a split. The final leg is usually completed by the fastest team member, often called the anchor.

In track, as one member finishes, they must pass a baton to the next team member in a designated area.

Some relay races, called medley relays, include a combination of different lengths, such as in a sprint medley or a distance medley. In swimming, medley relays involve each teammate using a different swim stroke.

Two different track relay races are events in the Summer Olympic Games: the 4×100 meter race (in which each of the four team members runs 100 meters), and the 4×400 meter race (in which each of the four team members runs 400 meters).

Swimming relays in the Summer Olympics include the 4×100 meter freestyle relay, the 4×200 meter freestyle relay, and the 4×100 meter medley relay.

Example: I can’t believe how slow I’ve become—I used to be my track team’s anchor in relay races.

Where does relay race come from?

The first records of the term relay race come from the late 1800s, which is when track relay races began to gain popularity in the U.S.

In early relay races, a flag or torch was passed between teammates instead of a baton. The 4×100 relay was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1912. The women’s 4×100 relay was added to the Olympics in 1928.

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for relay race?

• relay

What are some words that share a root or word element with relay race? 

• medley relay
• relay
• race

What are some words that often get used in discussing relay race?

• track
• swimming
• run
• leg
• anchor
• baton
• split
• meter
• sprint
• distance
• medley
• sprint medley
• distance medley

How is relay race used in real life?

Relay races are often simply called relays. They are often held as events in track and swimming. Children sometimes participate in relay races that involve things like carrying eggs.

Congrats to St. Katharine Drexel who broke a 36 year record in Class 2A with a 3:59:53 in the 4×400 meter relay race! pic.twitter.com/AbHT2wALVN

— LHSAA (@LHSAA) May 4, 2019

Big weekend for @CullenJones! Congrats to the SwimMAC team for their record-breaking 200 medley relay race. Final time: 1:23.02. @swimmacc

— Speedo USA (@SpeedoUSA) December 10, 2013

Best relay race in olympic history! Did you see the US come from behind to win? Amazing, and inspiring!!!

— Lewis Howes (@LewisHowes) August 11, 2008

Try using relay race!

True or False?

In track, every runner in a relay race always runs the same distance.