6 Rarámuri Runners Complete 340-Mile Race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas

A group of six women from the Indigenous Rarámuri community from Chihuahua, Mexico, completed a 340-mile ultramarathon from Los Angeles to Las Vegas dubbed The Speed Project. The invitation-only event, considered one of the hardest in the world, had never been completed by a group of Rarámuri women.

The women, Verónica Palma, 34; Ulisa Fuentes, 25; Isadora Rodríguez, 46; Lucía Nava, 27; Rosa Para, 29; and Argelia Orpinel, 40, all had experience in individual ultramarathons or marathons. They ran as a relay group, without stopping – one of the few rules of the event, and completed the race in over two full days and nights. 

For perspective, this ultramarathon is the equivalent of a little under 13 marathons.

The Ra Ra Ra team finished the race while wearing their traditional huaraches and colorful garments. Each of the participants ran approximately 56 miles over the three days. The race started at the Santa Monica Pier and stretched through the Mojave Desert to end at the “Welcome to Vegas” sign. 

Officially, the team placed third in the race and celebrated by taking pictures as a team at the “Welcome to Vegas,” sign. They also took pictures with the other competitors. 

Officially, the team placed third in the race and celebrated by taking pictures as a team at the “Welcome to Vegas,” sign. They also took pictures with the other competitors. 

Afterward, they were received like heroes at the airport in their hometown of Chihuahua.

These videos show all the hard work they put in to get to the finish line, and how difficult the race itself was.

The Rarámuri, also known as the Tarahumara, are renowned for their long-distance running. They traditionally wear huaraches (sandals) made from used tires.