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ZLINE Conquers 2026 Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Through Team Collaboration

Over the course of more than 30 consecutive hours, a talented group of ZLINE Kitchen and Bath employees took a break from their day jobs this past weekend to participate in what’s becoming one of the company’s most-loved traditions: completing the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay Run Adventure (RTO).

Colleagues from ZLINE’s IT, marketing, sales, logistics, purchasing, creative, product development, customer experience, and learning & development departments joined forces to traverse 178 miles of rugged terrain across two states to conquer the ultimate regional endurance circuit.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey has grown substantially since its inception in 2005, which featured just 36 teams and 400 runners. Two decades later, the May 29–30, 2026, race sponsored by the Nevada Army National Guard drew 260 teams and more than 2,500 runners.

The demanding 36-leg course began in downtown Reno, climbed the Sierra Nevada into California through Truckee, Tahoe City, South Lake Tahoe, then returned to Nevada through Genoa, Carson City, and Virginia City before charting the final stretch back to the Reno finish line. Competitors faced unpredictable weather conditions and a staggering 17,776 feet of combined elevation change.
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Zoey Miller, Evan Reaves, Iyanna Carroll, Reagan Raimer, Taylor Lewis, and Nadiu Liu are all smiles during the race.

Managing the Non-Stop Relay

To navigate the continuous two-day event, the ZLINE roster was split between two transport vans, which also functioned as rolling recharge stations and makeshift napping spaces at all hours of the day and night. The ZLINE group included:
  • Habum Song, IT Salesforce Administrator
  • Anthony Harter, Marketing Analyst
  • Heather Barbee, Senior Manager of Planning & Purchasing
  • Bryce Agulto, Dealer Brand Manager
  • Iyanna Carroll, Product Documentation Specialist
  • Taylor Lewis, Instructional Designer
  • Reagan Raimer, Customer Experience Trainer
  • Evan Reaves, Warehouse Lead
  • Nadia Liu, Art Director
  • Zoey Miller, Learning & Development Project Manager
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Running the RTO is an annual passion for ZLINE’s Heather Barbee.
Despite the grueling physical toll of running roughly three 5-mile legs per person, the ZLINE crew finished the race nearly two hours ahead of its projected schedule, a timeline met despite ever-shifting weather conditions and late-stage injuries.

When Raimer and another runner were sidelined by injuries, members from both vans stepped in to split the remaining relay legs.

"We could not have completed this race without the support and encouragement of one another. It was truly a wonderful experience," Raimer notes, adding that the entire experience exceeded her expectations. “We bonded through no sleep, tough runs, scary cliffs, and good stories. It was incredible to see how a challenging race and great people can come together to build life-long memories.”

Building Connections Outside the Office

For the participants, the race offered a unique opportunity to bond with colleagues outside of typical office meetings and business contexts, fostering a strong sense of internal camaraderie.

“This was my second time participating in the RTO race, and personally, I love being able to challenge myself, especially in a physical aspect of running a tough race,” shares Harter. “I had a great time spending time with my friends and getting to know coworkers from other departments; they made being in the van and getting little sleep much more manageable and fun.”

Carroll, also returning for her second year representing ZLINE, noted a distinct shift in the team's cohesion this round.
Stainless steel DuoPro ZLINE range centered beneath a white custom range hood, surrounded by light wood cabinets, brass hardware, and a dramatic marble backsplash.
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Bryce Agulto hands the wrist baton to Iyanna Carroll at a relay checkpoint in Virginia City.
Stainless steel ZLINE DuoPro range with a modern wall-mount range hood, light wood cabinetry, and dark green marble backsplash in a contemporary kitchen.
Evan Raves sneaks in a bit of shut-eye during the early morning hours of May 30.
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Taylor Lewis gets ready to hand off the wrist baton after completing a leg of the race. 
Stainless steel DuoPro ZLINE range centered beneath a white custom range hood, surrounded by light wood cabinets, brass hardware, and a dramatic marble backsplash.
overlay
Bryce Agulto hands the wrist baton to Iyanna Carroll at a relay checkpoint in Virginia City.
Stainless steel ZLINE DuoPro range with a modern wall-mount range hood, light wood cabinetry, and dark green marble backsplash in a contemporary kitchen.
Evan Raves sneaks in a bit of shut-eye during the early morning hours of May 30.
48
Taylor Lewis gets ready to hand off the wrist baton after completing a leg of the race. 
“This year especially, we really came together as a team,” she says. “Having played sports my whole life, I’ve honestly never experienced this level of camaraderie. Most of us don’t work together day-to-day, so it’s pretty amazing how we were able to lean on each other’s strengths and accomplish something like this as a team.”

First-time runner Bryce Agulto shared a similar sentiment regarding the team’s shared triumph.

“Once we crossed the finish line, I was really able to grasp the magnitude of what we had accomplished together, and it was an incredibly rewarding feeling,” Agulto remarks. “I’m already looking forward to running it back with the team next year.”

As a four-time certified Great Place To Work®, ZLINE fosters a workplace culture that encourages team members to get outdoors and take part in recreational activities, no matter the time of year.

Are you looking to grow your career at a company that celebrates its employees? Take a look at ZLINE’s current job openings.
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