Arc’teryx is opening registration next week for Groundwork, a new eight-week training program designed to teach urban road runners how to handle technical trails. The company announced the program on May 27 from its North Vancouver headquarters. Registration opens globally on June 3.
The fee is $115. Spots are capped at 150 runners per city, for a total of 600 across New York City, Los Angeles, Portland (Oregon) and Montréal. Every participant will be sent a pair of the brand’s Norvan LD 4 long-distance trail shoes, the kind of purpose-built trail footwear that road runners often skip when they first head off-pavement.
This is Arc’teryx’s first city-to-trail program, and the structure is the same in every market. Runners follow a progressive plan that moves through three phases: a baseline foundation block, a strength development block, and a peak endurance block. Workouts are delivered through TrainingPeaks. Each city also has its own Strava Club so participants can share routes and track each other’s progress.
The curriculum was built by Brenton Reagan, Lead Guide and Director of Marketing at Exum Mountain Guides. The aim, according to the Groundwork announcement, is to teach trail safety and terrain awareness alongside the running fitness.
“Groundwork is built on the belief that we shouldn’t just inspire runners; we must educate them to move responsibly in the mountains,” said Molly O’Connor, Arc’teryx’s Groundwork Campaign Manager. “As trail running experiences an unprecedented cultural explosion, city-based communities are searching for nearby wild spaces but often lack the confidence to navigate technical backcountry safely. Groundwork changes that by providing an accessible, highly structured blueprint that safely scales an athlete’s physical capability and terrain awareness.”
Four Cities, Four Local Leads
Each program is built around a regional captain and a nearby stretch of wilderness.
In Los Angeles, Hilary Yang will lead the group toward the Angeles National Forest. Weekly meetups will be hosted at Tommy’s Gift Shop. Portland’s program is led by Mack Robertson, with training pointed at the Tillamook State Forest and weekly runs starting from Arc’teryx’s 23rd Street community space.
Nik Golymbiowsky heads the Montréal cohort, preparing runners for the wet, rocky ground of Mont-Tremblant. Local partners Espace and RECESS will host community meetups. In New York City, Ashley Macha will guide runners toward the rocky Shawangunk Mountains, working with Mohonk Preserve, Snow Peak Brooklyn and A-Frame Cafe.
The weekly community runs are optional. The digital training plan is the spine of the program, and it is supplemented by weekly educational coaching directives from the leads.
A Finale in the Mountains
The program ends on August 8 with an event Arc’teryx is calling The Summit. Each city’s runners will leave the pavement for a full day of guided trail running and trail stewardship work, finishing with what the company is framing as a celebration.
Trail running has grown sharply over the last few years, drawing pavement runners into the woods for the physical and mental benefits and the change of pace from road work. Arc’teryx itself rolled out the Norvan LD 4 as part of a broader push into trail footwear. Programs like Groundwork put those shoes on actual feet, on actual trails, with safety education layered in.
Runners interested in applying can find their city’s registration page at events.arcteryx.com/groundwork when sign-ups open on June 3. New to off-road running? Marathon Handbook’s trail running for beginners guide and road-to-trail transition tips are a good starting point.
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