The Ragnar Relay SoCal race is storming through Santa Monica April 23-24. For the second year runners will conquer the Westside in a team effort race that incorporates a flair for the absurd and desire to compete.
The 198-mile relay race is designed to allow novice and experience runners to participate. Each leg of the race is designed to stagger difficulty levels and lengths ranging from 2 miles through nine miles. Teams of 12 will run from San Buenaventura State Beach Park in Ventura to the beach at Dana Point, the coastal city in Orange County.
Every team has two support vehicles with six runners in each. The first runner is dropped off at the start point by the first vehicle, which then travels to the second point to position the next runner and pick-up the first person upon their arrival.
The other six runners begin their portion of the race with the same pattern. The runners continue throughout the day and night to get to the finish line. There are 36-legs of the race with each team member running three portions.
Ragnar Event, LLC developed 12 different relay races across 13 states. The SoCal route originally went along the Pacific, but SoCal race Director Steven Aderholt said working with city permits ultimately changed the design to offer a varied look at Southern California. Runners will pass rural areas such as farmer’s fields, past the Hollywood Bowl, through Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica before ending on the coast.
“I think what sets Ragnar races and the Ragnar brand apart is that we are just a fun group of peeps putting on the race and I think that translates to the runners,” Aderholt said. “I think it’s really such a cool course because it’s varied in what you see in the course. I think it’s unique in that aspect as well.”
Exchange 18 will be at the Santa Monica Pier. SoCal race Director Steven Aderholt said teams will exchange runners on April 23, roughly from midnight until 5 a.m., at the pier offering support, water, and chance to rest. Aderholt said the race is not really “geared towards cheering crowds,” but the major exchange will showcase the landmark for the enjoyment of the runners.
“We have runners from all over the U.S. coming to this race and most are from this state and mainly from this area,” Aderholt said. “We support that kind of light-hearted attitude in the race.”
As one of the largest relay races in the nation this event does not take itself too seriously.
KATHERINE PEACH
Mirror Staff Writerkatherine@smmirror.com
