The Speed Project Returns For Its Third Year

"For the runners and teams participating, being able to focus is everything. We want our minds and bodies to determine our limits instead of being limited by rules and regulations," said Nils Arend, Founder of The Speed Project. "For this race, there are no rules — just get to Vegas."

Founded in 2013, The Speed Project was a direct response to the corporatization of running relays and races. Arend ran with a group of edgy, fearless runners who were looking for competitive, adrenaline-charged experiences rather than the rigid structure of more traditional races. Seeing the opportunity, Arend took a seemingly crazy idea — running a relay from Los Angeles to Las Vegas without stopping — and turned into a viable event for young, fast, avid runners everywhere.

After the first year, The Speed Project quickly spread throughout the global underground running scene; 20 teams from more than 10 countries are participating in this year's race. Plus, The Speed Project has evolved from a single event to a format being replicated around the world. Running groups from Germany to South Korea to Mexico are hosting Speed Project-style races in their respective countries.

So, what makes The Speed Project so special? "Knowing how difficult this race is – the massive terrain, running at night, unexpected weather conditions — I would struggle to do this alone," says Rebecca Gentry, a participant in this year's race. "I need my teammates cheering me on from the RV and knowing they have my back each time I'm out there — it's everything. It makes the experience more of an adventure than a traditional race."

For more information or to follow this year's race, check out @thespeedproject on Instagram or @2014thespeedproject on Facebook for live updates from the road.

About Nils Arend

Nils Arend is the Chief Experience Officer at Optimist. He leads a 45-person production team and executes on average 300+ projects per year. He is best known for his work leading the Nike Fuel Band Launch at SXSW, Daft Punk's 2014 Grammy's After Party, Nike+ Epic Workout, Nike+ Clubhouse @45 Grand and the Made by Google Pop-Up in New York City.

As an adventurer, you will often find Nils running extraordinary distances, windsurfing in Africa, sailing Hawaiian canoes in Kauai, climbing 10,000 ft. mountains and — on nights where he has trouble sleeping — riding his fix-gear bike through the city.

About Optimist

Optimist is a collective of thinkers, makers and doers who architect next level brand experiences. Inspired by culture, enabled by technology and powered by adrenaline, the independently-owned agency has spent nearly a decade conceiving and building unexpected experiences that move people. Driven to produce next level work, Optimist partners with brands that seek to push boundaries for game changing results. To make these experiences possible, the agency offers design, fabrication, creative, content production, digital strategy and event production services. With an eye to the future, Optimist recently added a state-of-the-art, in-house 360 video and virtual reality studio – believed to be the largest in Los Angeles – to their headquarters. For more, visit: www.optimistinc.com.

SOURCE Optimist, Inc.

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