Ragnar Relay says it is working with a group of investors and event industry figures on a plan to take over the brand, following the cancellation of its Appalachians and Minnesota events this season.
Ragnar has already canceled two of its 2026 events. Road Minnesota and Trail Appalachians, both originally scheduled for August 7-8, were canceled by Ragnar, according to a statement on its Facebook page.
Two more events no longer have a venue: Marathon County, Wisconsin terminated its contract for Trail Wisconsin, scheduled for September 18-19, over a missed payment deadline, and New Hampshire State Parks denied a permit for Reach the Beach, also scheduled for September 18-19, after Ragnar failed to pay outstanding bills. Ragnar has not issued a public cancellation notice for either the Wisconsin or New Hampshire events.
In a post to its official Facebook page, Ragnar Relay said canceling its Appalachians and Minnesota events was “the hardest call we’ve had to make,” adding that the company would have held the events if there had been “any way” to do so. The post did not specify a cause for the cancellations.
Ragnar did not offer refunds for either event, but stated on its website that “Teams may transfer into any eligible 2026 or 2027 Ragnar event of similar value. Availability may vary by event, and some restrictions may apply.”
“We’re working closely with an incredible group of investors, event operators, and original Ragnarians, people who helped build this community, to put the remaining season on the strongest possible footing and take Ragnar into its next stage of growth,” the post read. Ragnar said it had “made real progress” and would share updates “as things come together.” The post did not name the investors or event operators involved, or specify the nature of the deal under discussion.
Philip LaHaye, who served as CEO and General Manager of Ragnar Events LLC from March 2024 to May 2026 according to his LinkedIn profile, posted separately in the Ragnar Team Captains Facebook group with additional detail. LaHaye wrote that “a group of highly experienced and passionate event industry leaders and investors, including OG Ragnar crew, and founders of other races,” are “working together on a plan to keep Ragnar operating and take over the brand for long-term success.” LaHaye said the group’s goal is to “restore Ragnar as the premier relay running event company” and that he was hopeful the process would “be agreed in the coming week and closed soon after that.”
LaHaye did not name the investors or other individuals involved in the group.
Neither post addressed compensation for vendors, municipalities, or registered participants affected by canceled events, a point raised by multiple commenters on both posts, including named source Rich Nicholes, who first spoke to Hybrid Fitness Media for its initial reporting on Ragnar vendor nonpayment.
FitLab Co-CEOs Brian Kirkbride and Mike Melby have not responded to recent requests for comment.
Hybrid Fitness Media is continuing to investigate FitLab’s financial and legal position and will publish further reporting as it develops.
Additional FitLab/Ragnar Reporting
Failing to offer refunds is a bad look. If my event (New Hampshire) is cancelled, I have zero interest in giving Ragnar a second shot since nice my team (from Texas) will be out a ton of money that has already been spent on flights, lodging, vehicles, etc.).
Have done a dozen ragnars and they cancelled my event last weekend without reason or refund. I was set to fly in, they not only did not refund the race fees but also did not refund our fees for accommodation which they failed to provide which is illegal. I, ams the dozens of others in race with, will never set foot near a fitlab or ragnar brand again with no resolution. Give us our money back. Brian Kirkbride and Mike Melby.