Cross-Country Relay Carrying Flag From CA To DC Will Meander Through Vienna: How To Join

VIENNA, VA – The Relay for America, a cross-country footpath connecting Americans – literally – one mile at a time, is coming to Vienna.

The goal of the Relay for America is to carry one flag hand-to-hand from the West Coast to the nation’s capital in time for the country’s big birthday.

Where Is The Flag Now?

At the time of writing, the flag was in Mercer County, OH, and traveling east at about 155 miles per day. They expect to reach Loudoun County on Friday, July 3, for a route that will pass through the areas of Purcellville, Leesburg and Ashburn, following roughly the route of Leesburg Pike and the East Colonial Highway, then joining the Washington and Old Dominion Trail. Segment 236, which begins in Ashburn, will be the first to reach Vienna, via the Washington and Old Dominion Trail. Segment 237 will traverse Vienna on the trail, passing near the Vienna Community Center. See the route here.

According to race organizers, they're hoping to rally supporters, walkers and runners.

Ultimately, the relay will cover 3,016 miles and involve an estimated 2,272 runners.

The plan is to arrive for the Independence Day fireworks on the National Mall. According to the run's website, the team is a bit ahead of schedule at the moment – but it’s easier to slow down than catch up, especially with the heat that is about to descend on the region.

How To Get Involved

The relay has been built step by step across the country, with runners joining as needed, as word reaches their communities. As the race reaches its final stretch, that “build it as it flies” mentality holds, and there are still plenty of miles up for grabs for anyone who wants to join the effort.

Segments that still need runners are listed here. The website is also still offering applications to join their crew.

How The Race Was Born

Organizers say the idea came to them in 2024, when 2 men met while both were trying to complete the same goal: run 50 marathons in 50 states. Joe Nail and Wyatt Moss struck up a friendship – and sparked an idea. The 250th birthday of the United States inspired them to try “something epic to bring the country back together,” according to their website. The dream of a coast-to-coast relay was born.

The Relay for America explains (and this writer can confirm) that long-distance running is a solo endeavor. These organizers aim to invert that paradigm and turn one heroic feat of endurance into a mass participation event in which more than 250 Americans help cover the distance from the Golden Gate Bridge to Washington, DC.

With that in mind, organizers say, the relay was planned in two weeks, on a tight budget. So far, the dream has held.

In an interview with Fox in June, Nail said they conceived of the race at a time of some turmoil because, “We think America is still an exceptional place.” The early response to the race had shown them “everything that is right about America,” he said.

Check out some social media posts showing the flag’s progress here and here. Check out the relay's Honor Wall of veterans here.