TAKE THE RIDGE | LA
September 5th + 6th
*We will continue to update this document as information is gathered. Please be sure to check it regularly to keep up to date.
68 MILES. 4 RUNNERS. MALIBU → VENICE.
Take The Ridge is our final Los Angeles race. It’s a point-to-point relay beginning on the Ray Miller Trailhead of the Backbone Trail in Malibu and finishing in Venice.
This is not a traditional relay. There is no prescribed runner order, no required exchange point, and no single way to complete the course.
Your team decides how you race it.
Read everything below before race day. There is limited cell service throughout much of the course, and every team is responsible for arriving prepared, carrying the supplies they need, and making smart decisions on the course.
THE BASICS
DATE: Sunday, September 6
START: 6:00 AM
START LOCATION:
FINISH / RACE HQ:
AFTER PARTY: 3pm - midnight
DISTANCE: Approximately 68 miles
FORMAT: Relay teams of 4
START
All teams will start together at 6:00 AM at Ray Miller Trailhead.
Please arrive early enough to park, organize your team, use the bathroom, and be ready to go at the start.
FINISH
The race finishes in Venice at the race HQ.
FINISH LINE:
33°59'19.6"N 118°28'14.7"W
The finish line will be open from 3:00 PM–12:00 AM.
*If your team anticipates finishing after midnight, please let the race directors know ahead of time so we can plan accordingly.
CREW + SUPPORT
Each team is required to have a support vehicle. Crew and pacers are highly recommended. See the crew section below.
RACE FORMAT
The first approximately 55 miles are a required course on the Backbone Trail.
Teams must follow the designated Backbone Trail route until reaching Trippet Ranch.
REACH TRIPPET RANCH, AND THE RACE CHANGES.
From Trippet Ranch to the finish in Venice, your team is free to choose its own route to the finish line.
There is a suggested route shown on the race map, but it is exactly that: a suggestion.
You may follow our suggested route or create your own way to Venice after reaching Trippet Ranch.
THE RUN DOWN
Ray Miller Trailhead → Trippet Ranch = Follow the designated Backbone Trail course.
Trippet Ranch → Venice = Your choice.
Your team can decide how to divide the mileage, where to exchange runners throughout the race, and how to get from Trippet Ranch to the finish.
THE MAP
We have created an interactive race map with:
The required Backbone Trail course
Aid stations
Suggested runner exchange locations
Trailheads and access points
The suggested route from Trippet Ranch to Venice
Important course information
Click “Find In Map” to download each map’s gpx file.
Use the pull down menu to toggle between the required route, and the recommended final portion of the race.
Every team MUST review the map together before race day.
Download / save the gpx map before race day. Cell service is limited or nonexistent in sections of the course, so do not rely on having access to cell service while you're out there.
RUNNER EXCHANGES
There are no required runner exchange locations. This means that you can rotate runners as frequently or as in-frequently as you like.
The map includes suggested exchange points to help teams plan, but you are not required to use them.
A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER
When planning your exchanges, think about:
Distance between accessible locations
Parking and crew access
Cell service
Trail conditions
Time of day
Elevation
Water and nutrition needs (we recommend carrying at least 0.5L of water for every hour of running)
How your team will get runners to and from exchanges
Not every location along the route will be easy for crew vehicles to access.
Plan your relay before race day. Don't wing it once you're on the trail.
**IMPORTANT NOTE: The first 16 miles of the race cannot be broken up, meaning your runner will need to be ready and prepared to run a TOUGH 16 miles (with 4k of climbing) on their own, A pacer is highly recommended. Runners will be required to wear a headlamp, and carry 3-4L of water, fuel, and a fully charged cell phone. There is no accessible water, fuel, or support for the duration of this section. You must be self-sufficient.
AID STATIONS
We will have aid stations positioned throughout the course.
Aid Station 1 | Mishe Mokwa Trailhead
Aid Station 2 | Latigo Canyon
Aid Station 3 | Saddle Peak
The interactive map will show the location of each aid station and what will be available at each one.
Aid stations are there to support you, they are not intended to replace your team's own race-day supplies.
Come prepared with enough water, electrolytes, calories, and safety supplies to comfortably get between aid stations.
COMMUNICATION
Because much of the route has limited cell service, race-day communication will happen through a WhatsApp group for team captains.
Team captains will receive access to the group at registration..
The group will be used for:
Race-day updates
Course information
Important safety announcements
Aid station updates
Race director communication
Emergency information
Please make sure your team captain has WhatsApp downloaded and notifications turned on.
CHECK IN WITH THE RACE DIRECTORS
When your team is approximately 5 miles from the finish, the team captain should notify the race directors.
This helps us understand where teams are on the course and prepare for your arrival at the finish line.
Team captains: please make this part of your race-day plan.
RACE WEEKEND
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
SHAKEOUT RUN
8:00 AM
LOCATION: TBD
Join us for an optional shakeout run Saturday morning.
More details will be shared with registered teams.
REQUIRED REGISTRATION PICKUP
12:00–4:00 PM
All runners must complete registration pickup before race day.
This is required. There is no registration pick up on race morning.
MERCH SHOP
12:00–4:00 PM
Come grab your Take The Ridge gear, hang out, and get ready for race day.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
RACE START
6:00 AM
68 miles. Four runners. One final ride across Los Angeles.
FINISH LINE
3:00 PM–MIDNIGHT
The finish line will be open from 3:00 PM until midnight.
If you anticipate finishing after midnight, please let the race directors know.
Bring your team. Bring your crew. Bring whoever you want to celebrate with.
You've got 68 miles to Venice.
WHAT TO BRING
This is a point-to-point trail relay with long stretches of limited cell service. Every team should take responsibility for being prepared.
We recommend thinking about your gear in three categories:
FOR EVERY RUNNER
Trail running shoes with good traction
Road shoes for the final legs
Hydration pack or bottles
Water capacity appropriate for the distance between aid stations
Electrolytes
Enough calories / nutrition for your section
Phone with the race map downloaded for offline use
Portable battery / charging cable
Sunscreen
Hat or sunglasses
Lightweight layers (while hot during the day, night time temperatures can drop and winds can be high. Layers are recommended as you transition into nighttime running.)
ID
Any personal medications you may need
Whistle
Small personal first-aid kit
Headlight during night legs
FOR EVERY TEAM
Larger first-aid kit
Extra water
Extra electrolytes
Extra food / race nutrition
Backup phone battery / charging cables
Headlamps or flashlights
Extra layers
Emergency blanket
Basic blister / foot-care supplies
Toilet paper / tissues
Trash bags
Printed or downloaded course information
Emergency contact information
Satellite communication device, if available
DON'T FORGET THE BASICS
Your team may be out on the course for many hours.
Bring more than you think you need.
Water. Food. Battery. Layers. Navigation. First aid.
The goal is to be prepared enough that a small problem doesn't become a big one.
SAFETY
Take The Ridge takes place on a real trail system and through active Los Angeles streets and neighborhoods.
You are responsible for making safe decisions throughout the race.
TRAIL SAFETY
Stay on designated trails and follow all posted trail rules.
Be respectful of hikers, cyclists, equestrians, wildlife, and other trail users.
Do not assume that other people know you are racing.
You are running on a public trail, not a closed race course.
CELL SERVICE
There are significant sections of the Backbone Trail with limited or no cell service.
Do not rely on your phone being able to make a call.
Download your maps ahead of time and carry the supplies you need to safely complete your section.
HEAT + WEATHER
September in Los Angeles can be hot.
Plan accordingly.
Hydrate early, carry adequate water, and know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat illness.
If conditions become unsafe, use your judgment and communicate with the race directors.
WILDLIFE
You are running through a natural environment.
Give wildlife plenty of space and never attempt to approach, feed, or interact with animals.
EMERGENCIES
If you or another runner experiences a serious emergency, call 911 when you have service and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.
Santa Monica Mountains Search and Rescue
911
(310)456-7049 - connects you to a ranger
If you cannot reach emergency services, use your team's available communication equipment and notify the race directors as soon as possible.
Race Director / Emergency Contact:
Darcy Budworth
646.715.3137
Race-Day WhatsApp: Team Captain Group
YOUR TEAM PLAN
Before race day, your team should know:
Who is running each section
Where you plan to exchange runners
How your crew will get between exchanges
Where you will refill water
Where you will get nutrition
What your backup plan is if an exchange point is inaccessible
How you will communicate if someone gets separated
How you will navigate without cell service
What you will do if someone cannot continue
There is no single "right" way to race Take The Ridge.
Build the strategy that works for your team.
CREW
**Not required, but highly recommended
Your team is responsible for figuring out how you want to move runners, manage exchanges, and get yourselves to the finish.
A support vehicle is required, and we highly recommend having at least one crew member with your team.
A crew member can help with runner exchanges, transportation, water, nutrition, gear, navigation, and keeping the team moving throughout the day.
With limited cell service and a long point-to-point course, having someone dedicated to logistics can make a huge difference.
Some important guidelines for all crew members and runners:
Don't block trail access | do not park in a way that blocks trailheads, driveways, gates, emergency access, or other vehicles.
Drive safely | no trailing runners on the trails or the roads.
Don't assume you can access the trail | Not every point along the backbone trail is accessible by car. Check all race notes on the map provided. Do not drive on closed roads, private property, restricted areas, or areas that aren’t intended for vehicles.
Leave the trailheads and trails as you found them | do not leave water bottles, food wrappers, clothing, or other supplies along the course.
Don’t expect race staff to supply your team | Aid stations will provide support, but your crew should be prepared to handle your team’s individual needs.
Don’t interfere with other runners | Your crew is there to support your team. Don't obstruct the course, interfere with another team, or create an unsafe situation for other runners.
RACE DAY REMINDERS
01 | PICK UP YOUR REGISTRATION MATERIALS SATURDAY.
Registration pickup is required and takes place at Venice HQ from 12–4 PM.
02 | DOWNLOAD THE MAP.
Don't count on cell service.
03 | KNOW YOUR EXCHANGES.
The suggested exchange points are there to help you plan.
04 | CARRY ENOUGH WATER + NUTRITION.
Aid stations are support, not a substitute for preparation.
05 | STAY ON THE REQUIRED COURSE.
Follow the designated Backbone Trail course until Trippet Ranch.
06 | AFTER TRIPPET, CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE.
Your team can take our suggested route or create your own way to Venice.
07 | CHECK IN AT 5 MILES TO GO.
Team captains should notify the race directors when their team is approximately 5 miles from the finish.
08 | HAVE A GOOD FUCKIN TIME
This is the final Take The Ridge in Los Angeles.
Make it count.
ONE LAST THING
Take The Ridge was never meant to be a perfectly controlled race.
It's a little wild. It's a little weird. It's a lot of miles.
You choose your team.
You choose your strategy.
You choose your exchanges.
And after Trippet Ranch, you choose your way to Venice.
See you on the ridge.