LA's Long Run Home: Marathon Unites Communities for Wildfire Recovery

LOS ANGELES, CA – February 06, 2026 – As dawn breaks over the San Gabriel Mountains this Saturday, hundreds of Angelenos will embark on a 50-kilometer journey from Altadena to the Pacific Palisades. This is no ordinary race. The second annual "Altadena to the Palisades" ultra-marathon relay is a moving testament to a city's resilience, a fundraiser aimed directly at the deep, lingering scars left by devastating wildfires, and a powerful symbol of communal healing.

Organized by the Silver Lake Track Club, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit, and sponsored by the personal injury law firm Adamson Ahdoot LLP, the event on February 7th is designed to channel the energy of the running community into tangible support for those still rebuilding their lives. But beyond the funds, the event serves as a poignant reminder that for many, the disaster is far from over.

The Unseen Battle for Recovery

The event’s timing, just over a year after the catastrophic fires of January 2025, is intentional. The mantra of the organizers and participants is clear: rebuilding is an ultra-marathon, not a sprint. The Eaton and Palisades fires, which ignited on January 7, 2025, scorched a devastating path through Los Angeles County, leaving a trail of destruction that recovery efforts are still working to overcome.

Official figures paint a grim picture of the disaster's scale. The Eaton Fire alone consumed 14,021 acres and obliterated 9,414 structures. Combined, the two fires claimed 31 lives and destroyed over 16,000 homes and buildings, displacing countless families and forever altering the landscape. The ultra-marathon's route was specifically designed to symbolically and physically connect the two communities at the epicenters of this destruction, transforming a path of tragedy into a course of hope and solidarity.

"Being part of this event underscores our belief that rebuilding after tragedy requires ongoing dedication, resilience, and community cohesion," said Uzair Saleem, a Partner at sponsor firm Adamson Ahdoot LLP, in a statement. "The 'Altadena to the Palisades' relay brings together runners, cyclists, volunteers, and neighbors... not just to raise funds, but to celebrate the strength of these communities."

A Route of Remembrance and Resilience

The Silver Lake Track Club, which has a history of successful community fundraising including over $50,000 raised in last year's inaugural relay, has meticulously crafted an event that prioritizes community over competition. Described as a "celebratory expression of movement," the relay invites participation in various forms. Individuals can tackle the full 50-kilometer course, form relay teams to share the distance, or bike sections of the route. Spectators are encouraged to line the course, offering cheers and support.

The journey begins in Altadena and winds its way across the city, with checkpoints hosted by local businesses approximately every 10 kilometers, before culminating in a beachside finish at Will Rogers Beach in Pacific Palisades. This structure not only provides logistical support but also weaves the broader business community into the fabric of the recovery effort.

"We are honored to support an event that channels community energy into tangible help for our neighbors who are still rebuilding their lives," added Christopher Adamson, Founder and Partner of Adamson Ahdoot LLP. "This relay reflects the spirit of Los Angeles and a shared commitment to standing together in times of crisis."

Direct Impact: Where the Funds Will Go

Unlike many large-scale fundraisers, the "Altadena to the Palisades" relay ensures that 100% of proceeds from registrations and donations flow directly to a curated group of local, front-line non-profits. This year’s beneficiaries represent a multi-faceted approach to recovery, addressing needs from immediate safety to long-term community rebuilding.

Funds will support:

• Altadena Mountain Rescue Team and Malibu Search & Rescue Team: These two all-volunteer units are often the first to respond when disaster strikes in the region's treacherous terrain. Their work in search and rescue is critical during and immediately after wildfires.
• My Tribe Rise: A Black-led non-profit based in Altadena, this organization has become a vital lifeline for fire survivors. Through its Survivors Power Luncheons Program, it has already served over 4,100 individuals with disaster recovery planning, housing assistance, and direct cash grants.
• Greenline Housing Foundation: Addressing the long-term threat of disaster capitalism, Greenline works to prevent speculative developers from buying up fire-damaged lots. The foundation recently acquired its first lot in Altadena to establish a community land bank, ensuring that rebuilding efforts prioritize the needs of the community, not outside investors.

This targeted approach ensures that every dollar raised contributes to a strategic and sustained recovery, addressing the complex and evolving challenges that follow a major disaster.

Beyond the Courtroom: Corporate Citizenship in Action

The sponsorship by Adamson Ahdoot LLP highlights a growing trend of corporate social responsibility that moves beyond passive check-writing and into active community partnership. As a firm founded by L.A. natives and BIPOC business owners, its leaders have publicly stated a vested interest in fostering equity and using their platform to improve the city. Their involvement in the wildfire relay is a direct extension of this philosophy.

The law firm's commitment is not limited to this single event. Their community work includes outreach programs, volunteerism, and providing complimentary legal consultations in multiple languages to ensure equal access to justice. By backing an event so deeply rooted in grassroots recovery, the firm demonstrates a nuanced understanding of community needs that extends far beyond the courtroom.

The collaboration between the Silver Lake Track Club's community-driven ethos and Adamson Ahdoot's resources creates a powerful model for post-disaster support. It showcases how different sectors of society can unite to create a safety net when official systems are strained. As runners take their marks, their journey from the mountains to the sea represents a powerful statement that for Los Angeles, recovery is a path best traveled together.