The 2024 LA Mountain Running Series will kickoff in February with a segment challenge, culminating in the “Leap Day Trail Relay” on the final day of the month, Thursday, February 29

The February segment is a mile loop within the confines of Griffith park. Throughout the month runners will compete to see how fast it can be done individually and in teams of two. Throughout the month our team will maintain a leaderboard and keep track the fastest times (in both directions) as well as most number of loops. On Thursday, February 29 (leap day) we will host the a 4xMile relay race on the loop in which teams of two will compete on the segment.

The Segment

The segment is exactly 1 mile and starts and finishes just off the road on Fern Dell Road (opposite the Trails Cafe) in Griffith Park. The loop, which can (and will) be run in both directions, requires runners to run both the East and West Observatory trails, ending at the same place the runner started.

The Leap Day Race

This will be an informal race experience. That means we likely won’t use a timing company or have things like a branded finish line arch, but the event will be permitted with the park (permitting process is underway), and we give out race numbers and keep track of the overall finish order.

The race will start around 7pm, which means that it will be dark when people are running. That means runners will be required to race in headlamps.

Runners can either sign up with a partner or can sign up individually and asked to be placed with a partner. Each team will run the loop four times, with the two runners alternating loops (or leapfrogging you might even say) and handing off a baton at the end of each lap.

The Afterparty

After the race we will host a celebration at the trailhead or at a nearby bar. Ideally we are looking to stay at the trailhead and bring in a food truck and give out Non-Alcoholic beers from Athletic Brewing Company (so that we aren’t required to deal with liquor license issues).

The Feb 29 event will also serve as a kickoff for the Mt. Baldy 5000 and will be the official opening date for registration. Anyone who participates in the leap day relay will get A special early bird discount on registration.

Open Questions/Ideas:

1) Headlamps: Do we want to try to offer some kind of discount for headlamps at REI stores? Do we want to use this as an excuse to get people into REI or purchasing something from the REI website?

2) Giveaways and Prizes: Could we do pair of shoes or gift card for winning teams (mixed gender, men’s team, women’s team, NB team), and maybe we also consider a giveaway or raffle for all participants. Water bottles? Stickers? What are we comfortable doing? Could participation costs help partially cover costs?

  • Glow Sticks?

  • Reflective Vests?

3) Participation Cost: Are we comfortable charging $15/runner and $30/team? (Will cover race registration fee, some kind of giveaway, and discounted entry to Mt. Baldy 5000.)

4) HOKA Demo Shoes: Can HOKA bring demo shoes? Any additional ways we can level up the experience?

5) Branding: Could we get some REI or HOKA branding? Arch or flags for the start/finish line.

6) Timeline: Hoping to have all the creative assets completed this week (graphics, website, newsletter copy) to share with the team early next week. Targeting promotion early week of 1/15.

7) Promotion: How do we get this on REI website? Can we get share via local emails? REI in-store signage?