It’s time to get out of the city and onto the trails. At least that’s what Arc’teryx Equipment is saying as it launches the novel Groundwork initiative, acity-to-trail running program. Designed to introduce metropolitan runners to nearby trails through structured training and local leadership programming, the eight-week progressive training series will launch simultaneously across four major North American hubs: New York City, Los Angeles, Portland (Oregon), and Montréal. Registration opens globally for 600 participants total (150 per city) on June 3, 2026, with a program entry fee of $115. 

To represent Arc’teryx’s ongoing investment in trail footwear, all registered participants will be equipped with the Norvan LD 4, a long-distance shoe for confidence on training and adventure runs. 

Groundwork represents a strategic extension of the brand’s commitment to community. Pairing expert-backed training structures with local running leadership, the program is built to empower city-based athletes with the technical skills, trail safety knowledge and terrain confidence required to transition safely from city pavement to mountain singletrack.

“Groundwork is built on the belief that we shouldn’t just inspire runners — we must educate them to move responsibly in the mountains,” explains 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.”

Across all four cities, participants will follow a comprehensive, multi-phase training protocol spanning baseline foundation, strength development and peak endurance, delivered digitally via TrainingPeaks and supported by weekly educational coaching directives. 

Each city also has a Strava Club where participants share routes, track progress and stay connected throughout the program, along with optional weekly community runs hosted by City Run Leads and local partners that align with the weekly training progression. 

Each regional program will feature world-class energy and community integration, and is custom-tailored to its local surrounding wilderness:

• Los Angeles: Led by Hilary Yang (in photo), with participants ultimately taking on the technical tracks of the Angeles National Forest. Weekly community runs will be hosted in partnership with Tommy’s Gift Shop as a local clubhouse.

• Portland: Led by Mack Robertson, guiding participants toward the steep, lush trails of the Tillamook State Forest, with weekly runs hosted out of the brand’s 23rd Street community hub.

• Montréal: Led by Nik Golymbiowsky, preparing participants for the wet, rocky terrain of Mont-Tremblant in collaboration with local community partners Espace and RECESS.

• New York City: Led by Ashley Macha, with participants exploring city trails while building toward the rocky terrain of the Shawangunk Mountains in partnership with Mohonk Preserve, Snow Peak Brooklyn and A-Frame Cafe.

To ensure pinnacle safety and authenticity, the foundational framework of the program was custom-built by Brenton Reagan, lead guide and director of marketing for Exum Mountain Guides. The curriculum features optional weekly community run meetups led by the regional leads, kicking off in June and culminating on August 8, 2026, with an immersive trail finale event – The Summit – where participants leave the city behind for a full day of guided trail exploration, stewardship, and celebration. Runners can explore the regional curriculums, check gear specifications, and join their city’s specific registration pipeline by visiting the live landing page: events.arcteryx.com/groundwork