2024 Hood to Coast Relay: Providence team captains tell us why they run

August 22, 2024

The 2022 #FinishCancer team, post-race. Shuntao Cai (Top row, far left); Katie Lothrop (Bottom row, second from right)

The annual Providence Hood and Portland to Coast relay, August 23-24, is the largest run/walk relay worldwide. Approximately 12,000 people will participate in teams of eight to 12 runners and walkers.

Providence FINISHCANCER teams are readying to run the 196-mile course, committed to fundraising to help support advancements in cancer research and treatment at Providence Cancer Institute of Oregon. Since 2013, our teams have raised over $6 million for the cause.

The runners start at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood and alternate legs in their descent to Seaside, Oregon. Each runner is typically assigned three legs, contributing up to 18 miles to the team effort throughout the event. Team members alternate legs, which vary in distance, difficulty and time of day.

This year, runners are celebrating the 42^nd Hood to Coast and the 33^rd Portland to Coast, the walking relay. The event has come a long way from its first run, when founder Bob Foote and a group of his friends challenged themselves to plan and complete this memorable adventure. Over the years, the event has grown to attract global competitors and sponsorships, allowing for the expansion of outreach and community impact.

Meet the team

There are many Providence Cancer Institute FINISHCANCER teams, including the #FinishCancer team, which consists of Providence caregivers. Another celebrated team is the Cancer Crushers, consisting of cancer survivors. Every year, new runners and walkers are encouraged to join the teams, which have a fundraising goal of $12,000. While the race is an endurance challenge, the team dynamic can only be described as caring, dedicated and fun. Most of the bonding happens moments before the race and the camaraderie that happens over the miles is one of the reasons runners come back year after year.

Why they run

The #FinishCancer team is lucky to have two great captains to motivate their success this year. Co-captains Katie Lothrop and Shuntao Cai are seasoned runners who have returned to lead the team multiple years in a row. Their responsibilities include much more than simply organizing the team – it takes strategy, logistics coordination and time investment. Team captains are responsible for registering their team and assigning the legs to each team member.

Shuntao says connecting with the team is one of the best parts of being involved in the race. As each member finishes his/her own assigned leg, Shuntao says it’s a “mini victory for everyone!” What’s a close second favorite moment for Shuntao? “Lying down in my own bed the night after the entire run.” (The whole team might agree.)

“We have runners of all levels on our teams. Even those just getting into running are welcome,” says Katie. The captains note that Providence takes great care of them and the event is lots of fun. The positive perspective and motivation are vital for the 30-hour adventure with the team.

There are many fantastic reasons the Providence team proudly returns each year: It challenges one’s capabilities and contributing to a team is motivating. Some team members are motivated by the impact the relay makes in cancer research fundraising and community outreach. Shuntao cares greatly about fundraising for Providence Cancer Institute, "to help push our understanding of cancer treatment forward." An added bonus is the time spent connecting with other caregivers outside of work.

But also, it’s a moment of pride for participants’ families. Katie recalls the support she received from her family on the second leg of a run. “My dad was recovering from a surgery just a few months prior that required weeks of rehab and learning to walk again. It meant the world to me that they [parents] were there.”

A worthy challenge

The variables that can make planning logistics and training difficult often pose challenges for runners and walkers. Even lack of sleep can impact performance during training or the relay. “Weather, injuries and even leg assignments can all pose challenges for different people,” says Katie.

Despite being a year-round runner, Shuntao trains two months before Hood to Coast by working on heat acclimatization and running multiple times a day to simulate race-day environments.

With all their experience and expertise, these co-captains understand that runners of all abilities test their endurance during this race. “I always begin to dread my third leg as exhaustion sets in,” says Katie. “But the excitement of being part of such a major event seems to carry me though.”

How to support the runners and Providence Cancer Institute

You can donate to Providence Hood and Portland to Coast Relay run/walk fundraisers and teams, and your support will help clinical advancement and scientific discovery at Providence Cancer Institute. Visit hoodtocoast.com to find out how you can support the runners and walkers, and to learn more about this remarkable event.