About Ragnar

Since the mid 80's, Steve Hill packed around in his mind the idea of staging a grand relay in Utah. He thought about it on his nearly daily runs, and on quite a few car trips, plane rides and nights before he dozed off to sleep. The idea of an overnight running event with 12-person teams covering designated legs over a spectacularly scenic stretch of rural roadways has been on Steve's mind for a very long time.

In late 2003 Steve Hill was waxing eloquent yet again about his dream. At which point his 23-year-old son, Dan, came up with a novel idea. "Dad," he said, "let's just do it."

Dan recruited childhood friend Tanner Bell and together they launched the Wasatch Back Relay, a wild 170-mile relay race from Logan to Park City, Utah. It started with just 22 teams in 2004, but by 2006 it claimed its position as one of the largest relay races in the nation.

The unprecedented growth of the Wasatch Back Relay attracted adventure racer/entreprenuer Eric Jacobsen and his investment group Dolphin II. Eric, Steve, Dan, and Tanner hammered out the details of a partnership over a 4-day, 240-mile, bike ride around Hawaii's Big Island, and made the partnership official in June 2006.

Soon after, Ragnar Events, LLC launched the Ragnar Relay Series, the nations largest series of relay races. The series includes the Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back (Utah), Ragnar Relay Great River (Minnesota/Wisconsin), Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage (Washington State), and the Ragnar Relay Del Sol (Arizona).

At any given race Dan and Tanner are easy to spot, just look for the bloodshot eyes. They work around the clock before, during, and after each relay to ensure that it lives up to the Ragnar name. Eric can usually be found participating in the race. He is that crazy guy cheering you on at 2:00 am, and 3:00 am, and probably 4:00 am. Steve you will find blending in with participants, joining in conversations, and basking in the glow of what his dream has become.

Providing you with an unforgettable relay experience is our passion. We love what we do and we do it well, because for us it is a dream come true.

Ragnar????

Ragnar was a 9th century Norse King. He was a pirate, a raider, a conqueror, an explorer, and a wild man. The tough, fearless, rugged attributes of this Norse King are shared by all who participate in a Ragnar Relay. In much the same way, a Ragnar Relay provides runners the freedom to roam, to explore - a free-spirited curiosity to get out there and experience outdoor adventure. And maybe even to conquer. And though tough or rugged may not perfectly describe you, these attributes become a goal - something to strive for.

In a Ragnar Relay the wild nature of this Norse King is embraced by many participants. Participants who aren't afraid to paint their van plaid, to bring along their own hair band, to join together in yelling as they cross the finish line. You may think that you are not one of them, but you are. Everyone has a wild side and nothing brings it out of you like a Ragnar Relay.

Long live the Ragnar in us all!