Ragnar Relay Series Just Got Wilder
The events combine dynamic terrain at some of the most majestic destinations in the U.S.
The events combine dynamic terrain at some of the most majestic destinations in the U.S.
In partnership with Salomon, a leader in technical design and innovation of athletic outdoor products, Ragnar Events, LLC has announced an expansion of the Ragnar brand and its world-renowned 200-mile overnight relay events. Ragnar Trail Relays presented by Salomon is the world’s first overnight trail relay series.
Ragnar Trail Relays presented by Salomon will provide all runners the opportunity to discover a new concept in overnight relay running. The events combine dynamic terrain at some of the most majestic destinations in the US with the bonding team environment that only comes with Ragnar events.
“After 10 years of putting on the most incredible road relay races in the world, we’re stoked to announce the Ragnar Trail Relays presented by Salomon,” said Tanner Bell, Founder of Ragnar Events, LLC. “For years we have dreamed of taking Ragnar to the trails and now it’s a reality.”
Ragnar Trail Relays presented by Salomon feature a two-day outdoor adventure where teams of eight (regular) or four (ultra) people will run three loops at national parks and resort venues throughout the country. Each race will begin on a Friday at the Ragnar Village – a central location at each course with staggered start times. The start and finish times are gauged by Suunto, Ragnar Trail Relay’s official timing sponsor and sister brand to Salomon. Runner number one will then run one trail loop before returning to the village, where they handoff to their next teammate to begin his or her journey on the trail.
When participants run, their teammates set up camp at Ragnar Village, complete with live music, food, bonfires, s’mores and decorations to illustrate the spirit of Ragnar. Teams will run throughout the night into Saturday, finishing the 120-ish mile course on average in 20 hours.
“At its core Ragnar, is about team bonding through shared struggle and accomplishment,” noted Bell, a passionate runner who hand-picked the venues for 2013 based on his own runs. “Combining the ability to make running a team sport and taking it into nature, there is nothing like it on the planet.”
Ragnar and Salomon, spent more than a year conceptualizing the idea of a trail series, talking to trail experts around the globe.
“Our passion for trail running at Salomon has taken us around the globe to understand how we can grow the sport of trail running. Yet as we continue to develop products, one thing stands out as a key to this growth– team. Now, by combining the trail running expertise of Salomon and Suunto with the team bonding of Ragnar, everyone wins,” said Ashley Williams, director of marketing at Salomon Americas.
By creating a format that combines running with friends, camping and access to some of the most beautiful trails and destinations in the country, Ragnar and Salomon aim to introduce runners to new and accessible passion points for trail running.
Ragnar Trail Relays will debut April 26-27 at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch near Zion National Park, Utah. Additional 2013 calendar dates announced today include:
* April 26-27, Zion Ponderosa Ranch (Zion National Park, Utah)
* June 7-8, Big Bear Lake (Morgantown, West Virginia)
* July 26-27, Sierra at Tahoe (Lake Tahoe, California)
* October 18-19, McDowell Mountain (Scottsdale, AZ)
* November 15-16, Vail Lake Resort (Temecula, California)Additional races may be announced throughout the calendar year.
Ragnar Trail Relays presented by Salomon join 15 scheduled Ragnar Relay Series events across the U.S. and Canada in 2013, with an estimated 95,000 runners participating in the Ragnar Nation in 2013.
“Trail relays are a natural extension for Ragnar and Salomon is a natural partner for Ragnar,” said Chris Infurchia, CEO of Ragnar Events. “We’re a brand and experience that connects people with some of the most majestic places on earth through team running. Through Ragnar Trail Relays presented by Salomon, runners will experience the beauty of some of the most amazing trails in the country on an overnight camping trip with their friends.”