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Rain, mud, and hard miles — Take the Ridge LA brought plenty of all three. On a rainy Sunday, Cora Davies and her team, Grit Queens, lined up ready to race, knowing the conditions would make the day a little more challenging. They pushed through the wet and muddy course and finished as the 1st all-women’s team and 3rd team overall.
But beyond the result was a day that captured something bigger: what it means to show up, push through the difficult miles, and have the right people beside you along the way.
Showing Up When It Gets Tough
Trail running rarely goes exactly as planned. Weather can change, the ground can get unpredictable, and a comfortable run can quickly become a test of focus and resilience. At Take the Ridge LA, the rain and mud became part of the challenge, but they didn’t change why Cora and Grit Queens were there.
They kept moving through the conditions, taking the race one mile at a time and staying with the challenge in front of them. Sometimes, strength isn’t about having an easy path ahead. It’s about showing up when things get harder than expected and choosing to keep going.
Strength Beyond the Finish Line
A podium finish is one way to measure a race, but it doesn't capture every moment that makes a run meaningful. Strength can be found in the decision to take on a new challenge, in pushing through a difficult stretch of trail, or simply in staying committed when the conditions aren’t ideal.
For women in sport, having the freedom to set their own goals and challenge their own limits is part of that strength. Every race, every long run, and every difficult mile can become an opportunity to learn something new about yourself — not because you need to prove that you belong, but because you want to see how far you can go.
Running With Each Other
The challenge also feels different when you don't have to take it on alone. There is something powerful about running alongside people who understand the hard miles — teammates who push you forward when you need it, share the difficult moments, and celebrate with you when you make it through.
For Cora and Grit Queens, that sense of connection was part of the race from start to finish. They ran through the rain and mud together, supported one another through the tougher moments, and ultimately crossed the finish line as the 1st all-women's team. The result was something to celebrate, but so was the experience of getting there together.
More Trail Ahead
Every race leaves you with something to take forward. Sometimes it's a result, sometimes it's a lesson, and sometimes it's simply the memory of a difficult day shared with people who made it better.
For Cora and Grit Queens, Take the Ridge LA brought all three. The rain made the miles tougher, the team made them more meaningful, and the finish gave them another moment worth remembering.
There will always be another trail, another challenge, and another reason to show up. Rain or shine, we keep moving — and there’s always more trail ahead.
Keep pushing. Keep moving. Keep running together.
