PORTLAND, Ore. — Thousands of runners are braving brutally hot temperatures this weekend as the 43rd annual Providence Hood to Coast relay gets underway. The nearly 200-mile relay from Mount Hood to the Oregon Coast, billed as the "Mother of All Relays," is one of the largest running relays in the world, but this year’s heat is adding a new layer of challenge.

Organizers are reminding teams to "hydrate, slow the pace, have a great time." Cooling stations, roaming first responders and plenty of ice are spread across the course.

"We've got so much help from great sponsors," said Dan Floyd, chief operating officer for the Hood to Coast relay. "They're putting ice out where it's going to be hotter, cooling rags, cooling vests. We've got first responders, great first responders that we've

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