Arc'teryx Run Steady Challenge: My April Run

The Arc'teryx Run Steady Challenge is a Strava-based running event requiring 40 miles in 30 days. Arc'teryx sponsors these challenges annually on Strava, and I completed the April edition. At 1.33 miles per day on average, the bar is accessible for most runners. The real value is the structure it adds to a training month.

How Does the Arc'teryx Run Steady Challenge Work?

You need a Strava account to join. Search for "Arc'teryx Run Steady Challenge" in the Challenges section of the app, then click Join. Every run you log counts toward the 40-mile total. Activities are visible to other participants, which adds a layer of accountability that solo running doesn't.

I ran 5 days per week, with 2 rest days, averaging 19 miles per week. That put me at 76 miles over the four-week goal, nearly double the goal. The schedule broke down to 3-mile runs on Tuesday and Wednesday, a 4-mile run on Friday, 5 miles on Saturday, and 4 miles on Sunday. Mondays and Thursdays off.

What Gear Did I Use?

I ran the challenge in the Arc'teryx Norvan LD3 for longer weekend runs and the Cormac Shorts for weekday sessions when temperatures climbed above 60F in Texas. The Norvan Belt carried my phone and keys on shorter runs where a vest felt like overkill.

What Is Arc'teryx's History with Strava Challenges?

Arc'teryx started partnering with Strava in 2020 with the "Familiar Ground" challenge during the pandemic. Since then, they've run annual events: the "Outer Peace Challenge" in May 2021 focused on connection through running, and the "Outdoors For All Challenge" in June 2023 promoted accessible outdoor experiences. The Run Steady Challenge continues the pattern, timed to spring when most runners are building base mileage.

When Did Arc'teryx Start Making Running Gear?

Arc'teryx developed running-specific products in the mid-2010s, expanding from their core climbing and mountaineering lines. The Norvan family became the flagship trail-running line,p with shoes like the Norvan VT and LD series. The Squamish Hoody, at 140g, became a go-to windshell for trail runners who needed packable protection without added weight.

Their running gear targets mountain and trail running rather than road. The Sylan shoe family launched for trail races, and the Norvan LD 4 arrives in March 2025 as the latest long-distance option. Find the current running gear at Arc'teryx.