Council Grove will be part of a national cross-country relay this fall, and organizers are still seeking a bicyclist to help carry the relay baton through the Flint Hills.
The American Discovery 250 Relay will begin July 1 on the West Coast and continue for about 140 days, with relay batons traveling across the country by foot, bicycle, horse and even rowboat before reaching the Atlantic on Thanksgiving. The relay follows the American Discovery Trail and is being held in connection with the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Council Grove is on the Kansas portion of the route. A bicyclist is currently needed for the McPherson- to-Council Grove leg on Monday, Sept. 21, and for the Council Grove-to-Lawrence leg on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Participants may walk, run, bicycle or ride horseback on specific sections of the trail. Organizers said the goal is to keep the relay non-motorized while allowing people across the country to take part in the journey.
The relay will pass through 15 states and include stops in Washington, D.C., seven state capitals, college towns, rural communities and other cities along the way. Organizers said more than 100 local entities have already expressed interest in sponsoring or hosting gatherings as the relay passes through their communities.
Local hosts may help by providing meals, organizing community welcomes, arranging a handshake with a mayor, offering overnight camping or accommodation, or assisting with other hospitality needs.
Throughout the relay, participants and supporters are expected to share photos, videos and stories online, allowing others to follow the route virtually as it crosses mountains, deserts, farmland, forests, rivers, cities and small towns.
Those interested in carrying the baton, sponsoring the relay or helping host the Council Grove stop may sign up at https://discoverytrail. org/adt-relay-calendar?blm_ aid=20098097 or email relay@discoverytrail. org. Participation in the relay is free, but participants are asked to sign up so organizers can confirm specific segments.