The Yellow Brick Race

Early in his reign, the Wizard of Oz instituted the race as a method for keeping his rebellious halfling subjects in line. And though it didn’t manage to eliminate uprisings altogether, race day has become a national holiday and folks come from all over Oz to line the route and cheer on the runners. Communities, businesses, and organizations have also come together to reward runners in a variety of categories, so first prize isn’t the only prize anymore.

The course runs from the heart of the Emerald City to the border The Ninth Empire of Oz shares with The Grand Duchy of the Garden. It begins at sunrise on the third Monday in April, with the elite runners crossing the finish line shortly before sunset on that same day.

Crossing through the Deadly Poppy Field, the foothills of Mount Munch, and many other great obstacles, the course is regarded as the toughest in Eden.

The race is open to runners 18 and over from any of the four lands of Oz. However, only one entrant per family is allowed. This often leads to side competitions between family members over who will provide the family their best chance in a given year.