LA2DC’s #RaceForRecognition officially kicked off on Friday, the Armenian Genocide Centennial. Our athletes have been racing over the past few days through California and Arizona on Legs 1-4 of this monumental cross-country journey to prevent genocide by bringing awareness to all past genocides.
The words from LA2DC Executive Committee member Artin Shaverdian sum up the first legs the best:
It’s with a heavy heart that I sit in the car driving back home from LA2DC. It has been an unforgettable journey and I’ve enjoyed every second of it. The highs, the lows, the crashes, the baton passes, the sleepless days, the new friends I made, and the old friends I rode with, I will not forget.
I can’t wait until next Friday when I’m back on the road with everyone. I suppose that’s the only consolation – that it’s not over yet, and that I will get to go back on Friday to join this incredible cause once again as we remember and pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
To all the riders and runners who joined us on Leg 1 in Los Angeles, those have completed their rides, and those who will continue to join us through the next 11 days as we trek across this picturesque country to Washington DC, I commend you for a job well done. Without your participation, dedication and contribution, we could not create genocide awareness, demand recognition and foster prevention. Ride with purpose and stay safe!
Finally, to the LA2DC Race Director, Sabra, the many volunteers, medics, neutral support, staff, and crew, your tireless efforts and support during this memorable event have not gone unnoticed and are truly appreciated.
Please continue to track the riders on LA2DC.org and follow their journey on Instagram and Facebook.
Take a look back with us at the inspirational weekend of action and the athletes and LA2DC team that have made this event possible!
The race kicked off on April 24th, in conjunction with the March for Justice:
A few of the #LA2DC athletes along with members of the armenianbrigademc/@armenianbikers before the #MarchForJustice and the #RaceForRecognition
Our athletes escorted by the Glendale Police Department:
Video Link: https://instagram.com/p/14KzIJGQ3S/?taken-by=la2dc
The inspirational ultra-runner Telma Ghazarian Altoon ran 34.4 miles to kick off the #RaceForRecognition – from 2AM to 6AM!
Roobik Asadorian on Leg 2 of the #RaceForRecognition, which kicked off in Morango, CA:
Our documentarian, Vahe Babaian interviewing Roobik Asadorian after he finished Leg 2 of the LA2DC #RaceForRecognition
Our race director, Sabra, giving instructions to cyclists before they begin Leg 3 of the #RaceForRecognition to #StopGenocide
Our LA2DC cyclists as they passed through Nevada
A couple of our #LA2DC cyclists as they crossed the Colorado River
Our Leg 4 athletes in the Arizona desert: Arthur Barsegyan, Eric Josephbek, Hans Keifer, Hovig and David Kazarian (father and son), Garen Yegparian.
Our heroes riding Leg 5 in the deserts of AZ to #StopGenocide – Sedrak Gumaikyan. Grigor Gevorgyan, Sos Hovhannisyan, Anush Ricci, Vasken Melikian, Rafi Ghazarian and Gil Tamazyan
Bookmark www.la2dc.org/race for continuous updates and content as we continue our Race For Recognition and journey across the country!
