Altadena-to-Palisades Ultra-Marathon relay draws a crowd, links fire-weary communities

Eric Alvarez, 43, of Chino Hills, left, carries a large cross before participating in the Altadena to the Palisades charity event, which raised money for ongoing wildfire relief and rebuilding efforts, in Altadena on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Participants were encouraged to run, walk or cycle the entire length of the event, or complete a small portion of the route. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

A group of runners set off from Good Neighbor Bar in Altadena to kickoff the Altadena to the Palisades charity event, which raised money for ongoing wildfire relief and rebuilding efforts, in Altadena on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Participants were encouraged to run, walk or cycle the entire length of the event, or complete a small portion of the route. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

Ethan Marquez, acting captain of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Altadena station crosses the finish line while carrying a flag in the Altadena to the Palisades charity event, which raised money for ongoing wildfire relief and rebuilding efforts, at Palisades Beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, May 10, 2025. People were encouraged to run, walk or cycle the entire length of the event, or complete a small portion of the route. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

Julie Rysin, 40, of Pasadena displays a sign they carried during the Altadena to the Palisades charity event, which raised money for ongoing wildfire relief and rebuilding efforts, at Palisades Beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Participants were encouraged to run, walk or cycle the entire length of the event, or complete a small portion of the route. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

Participants celebrate as they reach the finish line of the Altadena to the Palisades charity event, which raised money for ongoing wildfire relief and rebuilding efforts, at Palisades Beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, May 10, 2025. People were encouraged to run, walk or cycle the entire length of the event, or complete a small portion of the route. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

Anna Jaruga, 35, of Pasadena, right, celebrates while crossing the finish line of the Altadena to the Palisades charity event, which raised money for ongoing wildfire relief and rebuilding efforts, at Palisades Beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, May 10, 2025. People were encouraged to run, walk or cycle the entire length of the event, or complete a small portion of the route. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

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On Jan. 7, Altadena and the Palisades were linked forever by the most devastating wildfires the region has ever seen. Fast forward to Saturday, May 10, and the two areas — immersed in the recovery from the twin tragedies — were linked yet again. But this time, 31 miles of distance was bridged by human hope and resilience: Runners.

The “Altadena to the Palisades: An Ultra-Marathon Relay,” spearheaded by members of Silverlake Track Club, a Los Angeles-based community running club, kicked off at 7 a.m. at Good Neighbor Bar in Altadena.

Their goal: to raise money for the recovery of the fire-weary communities.

But Silverlake Track Club founder Howie Goldklan’s had another goal: To bring people together in an event that challenged runners to conquer all of the region’s major boulevards.

As he told the Southern California News Group in the days ahead of the run: “Then, unfortunately, the fires happened. And one of those runners just took the idea and suggested that we do it now as a fundraiser.”

That runner, Kevin van ‘t Klooster, carved out a route that proved these two parts of L.A. County — one known for its foothill, bohemian vibe, the other for it coastal landscapes — “these two parts of town are more connected than folks may think.”

On Saturday, it was the crowd of runners and their supporters who proved that connection with their sheer spirit, from sunrise on Lincoln Avenue to the end.

From the Good Neighbor Bar, the crowd of runners headed southwest toward Eagle Rock. They then weaved through the city until it ended at Pacific Palisades’ Will Rogers Beach for a finish-line celebration.

In between, Silverlake, Hollywood and Santa Monica. For more information, check out the Silverlake Track Club’s instragram posts at: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJSVWi3B6Tq/, or https://www.silverlaketrackclub.com/.

Staff writer Dorothy Elder contributed to this article.