Story by Weslley Cordeiro

 

Hey everyone, how’s it going? It’s Weslley Cordeiro.

Today, I’m here to share about a challenge that goes beyond the ordinary: The Speed Project, or TSP.

 

A journey of approximately 340 miles, starting from the iconic Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, and finishing in Las Vegas. And I’ll be the first Brazilian to take on this madness.

 

The TSP is considered the world’s toughest relay challenge, taking participants through winding roads, mountains, deserts, and breathtaking landscapes. There is no official race website and official set of rules or regulations.

 

We created our own route, and we managed to shave off about 50 km from the “original” path, which translates to approximately 6 hours saved in the final time.

 

There are two main categories for this challenge. Some brave souls take on the entire 340 miles solo, which can take 4 to 5 days.
And the relay option.

 

We opted for the original category, the relay, which consists of 6 runners, 4 men, and 2 women, along with a support team of 6 members, including 4 drivers, a photographer, and a videomaker to document the entire journey. In this category, the average completion time is 48 hours, with last year’s record standing at an impressive 29 hours and 21 minutes. Our group is Team Wepa NYC, and we are the first-ever team to represent Queens!

 

The relay strategy is key. We have designated exchange points every 5 to 20 miles. We’ll do this about 30 times until we hit Las Vegas. Sometimes, our support vehicle won’t be able to follow us, so a few of us will keep running without a break or support, making sure we’re always moving during the 40+ hours challenge.

 

This year, we’re expecting a record number of teams—40 to 50—but not all will make it to the finish line. In the desert, anything goes.

 

The race is set for the end of March, but the exact start date is a secret only racers know.
We’ll kick things off at 4 a.m. and aim to get to Vegas by Saturday night for a well-deserved rest and a cool pool party on Sunday morning.

 

If you want to follow this wild ride, catch me on Instagram at @weslleycordeiro

See you out there!