Big Buddha Babes, Honey Badgers Ready For Ragnar Relay

Newtown’s own Big Buddha Babes and The Honey Badgers are gearing up for racing relay-style, day and night, for 200 miles. The local teams are part of the 2011 Ragnar Relay New York May 13 and 14, starting in Bethel, N.Y., and ending in Dobb’s Ferry.

Each team of 12 runners will divide into two vans and run relay-style, with each runner taking three “legs” of the 200-mile course. More than 200 teams will be participating in this year’s event.

Over the past year a local women’s team completed two Ragnar Relay Races, placing second in New England as the Merrell Mamas, and First in Florida Keys as Girls Gone Hog Wild.

Now they are ready to take on their third event as the Big Buddha Babes, engaging in a friendly competition with a local men’s team.

According to the teams’ website, between the two 12-member teams there are six married couples. An additional six men and six women will race with their families, bringing 45 children and significant others to cheer from the sidelines.

Together, the two teams will be racing to raise money and awareness for the Boomer Esiason Foundation (www.esiason.org), a partnership of leaders in the medical and business communities joining with a committed core of volunteers to heighten awareness, education, and the quality of life for those affected by cystic fibrosis.

Each year, the Boomer Esiason Foundation is successful in contributing significantly to advances in cystic fibrosis research and to efforts to address the needs of the CF community. Community support enables these teams of competitors to make a difference in the lives of those with CF, their families, and their caregivers.

Donations help scientists and researchers seeking a cure for cystic fibrosis to have the resources they need to expand and accelerate their efforts. Donations also supports the effective programs specifically to help people with CF live longer, healthier lives.

Both teams have been generously sponsored in this race by Canon/Under Armour, who provided athletic gear for all 24 runners. Big Buddha, the new local cigar lounge in Newtown, is locally supporting the team and will be hosting an outdoor after-party following the race.

At presstime the Newtown teams have collectively raised more than $11,000. To learn more, visit www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/dana-roth-1/newtown-teams-ragnar-relay-new-york.