This is Lono here, founder of Paramount Running, a Tokyo-based running concept with its core in music. We had the honor to join The Speed Project race with support from Union. Big shoutout to Union here for making this race happen for our runners. I’ll let you guys read how this all happened on the IG post, where Gibbs wrote how this came together and go straight to the race.
The race started off in front of the Santa Monica sign in the early morning. Still pitch dark, but lots of energy from runners who gathered ready to take off on an epic journey. I was the first leg for our team, so had to set the tone for how we are approaching this race. Even in serious moments like this, I’m always about the vibe. I play my favorite house music track and off to the races we go, at full speed. Couple miles through the streets of LA, I pass it on to my teammate. then run into the car completely out of breath, but with a smile on my face. My teammates smile back. We all knew we were getting into something extremely fun. Blast more house music in the car with the foot on the pedal.
The Speed Project is a relay race from LA to LV with no set course. It’s basically however way your team wants to run to get to the finish. The crew member is as important as the runners. While runners put it all out on the course, crew members drive and guide the runners, making sure they are staying on the right path, getting fueled, and getting some rest. I tell people it’s like a Formula 1 race; it takes the entire team’s effort to move the team forward to the finish line.
Every leg we ran felt special… it’s never easy to get out and run your best. But the landscapes along the course, the sunrise, the sunset, the dark sandy trails, the big and wide valley roads, and of course the street when you see the Las Vegas sign with your teammates, the entire 309 miles as a team felt easy looking back, or at least completely worth putting in all the effort. I’ll let the photos and video do the talking, but all I can say is it was one of the best moments of my running career, being able to share this joy with a group of friends. It may be one of those things you can relate to until it’s done, but I swear it’s worth it.
Big shoutout to my teammates, including the crew member, on finishing in 7th place. It took a group effort to stay focused on the road, carrying the momentum all the way through to the finish. I can proudly say we did it with style and grace. The Japanese way.
Below I’ll share a link to some songs we were playing along the course… Hopefully, this can give a better picture of how much we were vibing during the race.
Otherwise stay tuned for another run.
Peace,
Lono
Photos by Evan Perigo
Video by Luke Adams