The Speed Project: Daring to Chase a Desert Dream
This is the story of six women who took on a 340-mile relay race through the heart of Death Valley.
March 2022. Death Valley, Nevada.
It doesn’t feel like it’s possible for it to get hotter. But the temperature keeps rising. And somehow, our team of six women are still running. More than 24 hours after leaving Santa Monica Pier, the Speed Project has started to exact a toll but the team is unrelenting: Stopping won’t make the road to Vegas any shorter.
242 miles clicks over to 243 as Alex Roudayna hands the baton over to Nina Sieh. Nina’s long striding form changes the rhythm of the team’s footsteps as she disappears down the road. Alex immediately ducks into the shadow of the RV, taking a moment to be still before she swings back into action and starts getting ready for her next leg: Just shy of 100 miles remain.
Alex’s Instagram bio reads: “Constantly traveling through madness to find myself”. She’s come to the right place. The Speed Project is about as close as you’ll get to madness – 340 miles from LA to Vegas. No rules, no respite. Nothing on the line except pride.
In our new film we joined the team on the road, in the heart of the madness.
Meet the team.
Maïli Burnichon
France
LAW STUDENT. ULTRARUNNER.
Post-run:Coffee or beer? I’m French. Red wine Podcast or music? Music. Already called dibs on Aux cord Kryptonite? Sleep deficiency
Nina Manso
Spain
MASTER’S STUDENT. MARATHONER.
Desert anthem? Stronger than yesterday Treadmills? I’d rather freeze/melt Nickname? People call me Neens or Miss 305
Anna Kosova
USA
BLOGGER. TSP VETERAN.
Post run: Coffee or beer? Blue Bottle always Podcast or music? Nature Trail or road? Trail
Nina Sieh
Canada
P.H.D STUDENT. TRIATHLETE.
Post run: Coffee or beer? Neither - post-run: a white freeze or a cold blood orange San Pellegrino What scares you the most about running The Speed Project? The desert wildlife in pitch darkness. One word to describe why you run? Reflection
Alex Roudayna
Mexico
NATIONAL RECORD HOLDER. MILEAGE MONSTER.
Nickname? Chikorita Treadmills: Life saver or get me off this thing? Love treadmills, they are my thing. Desert anthem? Digital Nation by Techno boy, Isaac and Tuneboy
Marina Cugnetto
Italy
NURSE. MOUNTAIN GOAT.
Trail run or road run? It doesn’t matter. The thing that I need is long distances! Nickname? Baby Shark Podcast or music? I prefer running with music, but I also sometimes listen to the radio or podcasts.
Trina Lesins
USA
COACH. SPEED DEMON.
Post run: Coffee or beer? Why not both? Trail run or road run? Living in NYC means roads, roads, roads First memory of running? I can’t remember not running.
