KAYSVILLE, Utah, Jan. 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ragnar Relay Series just got wilder.
Today, 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 Ragnar Village – a central location at each course with staggered start times. The start and finish times are tracked by Suunto, Ragnar Trail Relay's official timing sponsor and sister company 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, Vice President of marketing for Amer Sports 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."
To learn more about the Ragnar Trail Relays, visit www.ragnartrail.com.
About Salomon
Salomon is the mountain sports company. Salomon was founded in 1947 in the heart of the French Alps. Since then, we've been creating innovative products to enhance the performance of athletes. Performance led design is our past. Performance led design is our future. www . salomon . com www.salomonrunning.com
About Suunto
Suunto was founded in 1936 by Tuomas Vohlonen, a Finnish orienteer and inventor of the liquid-filled field compass. Since then Suunto has been at the forefront of design and innovation for dive computers, instruments and sports watches used by adventure seekers all over the globe. From the highest mountains to the deepest oceans, Suunto physically and mentally equips outdoor adventurers to conquer new territory. www.suunto.com
Matt Braun
Ragnar Relay Series
414.270.8350
About Ragnar Events, LLC
Based in Utah, Ragnar Events, LLC is the largest overnight running relay series in the United States. Traversing inspiring and scenic destinations around the country, these events make testing your limits a team sport. Teams of 12 run this 200-mile relay in the course of two days and one night. They connect in memorable relationships, conquer a challenge that could not be done alone and celebrate with medals and finish line festivities. Often called a slumber party without sleep, pillows or deodorant, this unique relay turns out crazy costumes, inside jokes, close quarters and unforgettable stories. Begun as a single relay from Logan to Park City, UT in 2004 by college roommates, Dan Hill and Tanner Bell, now over 160,000 people have run in the Ragnar Relay Series presented by Nordic Track, which boasts 15 races and is growing every year. Visit www.ragnarrelay.com for race dates and exact locations.
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The following files are available for download:
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