U. Oregon: Relay race to inspire a healthy awareness.

(From University Wire)

Byline: Parker Howell

When runners from the University of Oregon Men's Center team pass the baton during Sunday's Civil War Relay, they won't just be competing for top honors in the 50-mile race -- Men's Center Director Dave Miller said the race symbolizes men transferring knowledge and awareness of men's health issues. , Five runners will compete on the Men's Center team in the Nov. 21 relay, which stretches from Eugene to Albany. After the race, Men's Center representatives will hold a public discussion about issues affecting men's physical and emotional health.

The annual race, held the day after the Civil War football game between the University and Oregon State University, begins at 7 a.m. at Autzen Stadium. Participants Ore., will each run five two-mile legs, carrying the team up Coburg Road and along a route east of Interstate 5 through Brownsville. About eight hours later, the racers will cross the finish line at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany.

Counseling and Testing Center psychologist Jon Davies said the relay, which will also feature teams from OSU among the nearly 40 competing in the race, is a collaborative effort between the men's centers at the two universities. He said the teams will race "not in a competitive spirit, but a spirit of cooperation" to share the importance of men's health.

A typical man lives seven years less than a typical woman, a discrepancy caused by risky behavior rather than genetics, Davies said. He said men are more likely to engage in risky activities, such as speeding and using alcohol and drugs, and are less likely to seek help for problems, leading to illness and shorter life spans.

"Men think they're pretty healthy, when in fact they're ...