Muskingum University cross-country team member Hannah Metzger carries the flag Tuesday during the hot and humid conditions. (RENEE METZGER PHOTO)
Logan County came out cheering for one of their own Tuesday afternoon, June 30, as local runner Hannah Metzger trekked across 9 ½ miles of Logan County during a heat advisory as part of a nationwide effort for the country’s 250th anniversary, Relay For America.
The relay spans 20 days and began in San Francisco on Flag Day, June 14, It travels more than 3,000 miles through 15 states before reaching Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2026, in time for the nation's semi-quincentennial celebration.
Along the way, approximately 250 runners are carrying the American flag in relay fashion, keeping it moving continuously — day and night — as it makes its historic journey across the country.
Metzger, a 2024 Indian Lake High School graduate, is a current member of the Muskingum University cross-country team. She said she was thrilled to be among those helping to carry the flag on its historic journey across the nation.
"I saw Relay For America on Instagram and signed up a month ago to make it my long run. Carrying the flag knowing that it was ran by Americans all the way from San Fransico was cool,” she said Tuesday following her sun-scorched run, with the heat index hovering in the mid- to upper-90s.
“I’m proud of 9.5 miles at a 9:30 pace even though the heat got to me. It was awesome to see Logan County out cheering.”
Hannah Metzger, right, stands with a group of supporters as the Pledge of Allegiance kicks off the Relay for America in Logan County Tuesday. (RELAY FOR AMERICA PHOTO)
Friends, family and community members packed along Relay For America route through rural Logan County. Metzger began her portion of the run just outside of Jackson Center. The relay was expected to enter Logan County around 12:30 p.m., taking approximately four hours to cross the county before continuing into Union County.
“She will be with a group that gets the flag outside of Jackson Center on Wells Road, then they turn left on 65 for a half mile, turn right on Wise Road (County Road 60),” her mother Renee Metzger said via Facebook.
The flag traveled on Wise Road through Bloom Center and then turned right onto County Road 54, continuing past Plum Cemetery and into Lewistown. It then turned right on County Road 37 and the flag will switch to a new group outside of Lewistown before heading onto County Road 99.
At mile 2,491, the flag had reached rural Bellefontaine at 2:50 p.m., according to a video posted to the Relay For America’s social media.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the Relay For America flag tracker showed the flag’s runners and entourage making their way just south of Huntsville and Rushsylvania and toward the eastern edge of Logan County via County Road 20.
Indian Lake High School graduate Hannah Metzger, far left, stands among community members as the Relay For America begins to make its way through Logan County Tuesday afternoon. (RENEE METZGER PHOTO)
Organizers said the goal of Relay For America is simple but powerful: to unite Americans through a shared celebration of the people, values and ideals that have shaped the nation for 250 years.
By bringing together runners, volunteers, veterans and local communities, the project seeks to foster a sense of connection and national pride during a milestone moment in American history.
In addition to carrying the American flag across the country, Relay For America also honors those who have served the nation through its Honor Wall, a tribute recognizing 3,000 U.S. military veterans and their service and sacrifice.
As the American flag makes its way through Logan County, residents had the opportunity to witness a small but meaningful part of a historic nationwide celebration — one that aims to unite Americans while honoring the past and looking toward the future.
To find the current location of the Relay For America flag, use the tracker available at The Route | Relay For America | Relay For America.
Pictured from the left, runners Laura Metzger, Hannah Metzger (middle with the flag) and Paige Mefford head into Lewistown Tuesday afternoon during the local passthrough of Relay For America. (RENEE METZGER PHOTO)
