Salomon and Ragnar Relay Series Launch World’s First Trail Relay

News Release / 25.01.2013

Salomon, a leader in technical design and innovation of athletic outdoor products, announces the launch of Ragnar Trail Relays presented by Salomon--the world’s first overnight trail relay series.

Ragnar Trail Relays presented by Salomon are off-road team running events at some of nation’s most majestic trails. Each stop in the series features a two-day outdoor adventure in which teams run looped trails at national parks and outdoor resort venues. Each race has a central location where runners will take off with staggered start times, run one of three loops of varying difficulty, then return to handoff to their next teammate.

That central area, called Ragnar Village, will feature a Salomon and Suunto tent where runners can check out the latest trail running gear, including shoes, outdoor watches, apparel and hydration packs, and get trail running tips from Salomon pro staff. Suunto is Ragnar Trail Relay’s official timing sponsor and sister brand to Salomon, and will manage the race start and finish times at each event. Teams will typically finish the 120-ish mile course in 20 hours on average.

Ragnar Events, LLC, the parent company of Ragnar Relay Series and Trail, and Salomon, spent more than year conceptualizing the idea of the Ragnar Trail Series, talking to trail experts, local running clubs, recreational trail runners and professional athletes.

“Our passion for trail running drives us to grow the sport,” says Ashley Williams, vice president of marketing at Amer Sports Americas. “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.” 

“Trail relays are a natural extension for Ragnar and Salomon is a natural partner,” said Chris Infurchia, CEO of Ragnar Events. “Runners will experience the beauty of some of the most amazing trails in the country on an overnight camping trip with their friends.”

Ragnar Trail Relays will debut April 26-27 at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch near Zion National Park, Utah. Additional 2013 calendar dates 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)
• August 23-24, Snowbasin (Huntsville, Utah)
• October 18-19, McDowell Mountain (Scottsdale, AZ)
• November 15-16, Vail Lake Resort (Temecula, California)

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 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. In the Ragnar Relay Series, teams of 12 run a 200-mile relay in the course of two days and one night; in the Ragnar Trail Series teams of 8 run a 120-mile trail relay over the same time span. Participants 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 200,000 people have run in the Ragnar Relay Series, which boasts 21 races, including Canada, and is growing every year. Visit www.ragnarrelay.com for race dates and exact locations.