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What does it take to become a Kinetic Grand Champion? Heck, what does it take to even compete in the grueling but glorious three-day Arcata-to-Ferndale art race?

In the months leading up to the Memorial Day weekend marathon, kinetic teams meet up every couple weeks to hone their artistic vision, pick out costumes, fine-tune dance moves and prepare their human-powered machines for the upcoming 40-mile race over land, sand, mud and water.

To get a better idea of what the months of preparation entail, self-taught documentarian Ray Olson embedded himself with mPROM2 on their journey to the finish line for the 2025 Kinetic Grand Championship.

In this three-part edition of Humboldt Outdoors, Olson joins mPROM2 two months before the race, just as the team solidifies plans for its ‘80s prom theme and stretch limousine machine. He then follows the team through bicycle chain mishaps, numerous dance practices, and lots and lots of pedaling. 

“You never know what’s gonna happen, but I trust in the universe, and the Kinetic Universe usually grants us some good times,” CJ, the team’s “peon coordinator,” said on the eve of the race. “It’s all going to work out.”

I don’t want to spoil it for you, but mPROM2 actually fared quite well in the 2025 race, securing several coveted awards. Check out the videos linked above and below to see for yourself!

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This year’s Kinetic Grand Championship kicks off at the Arcata Plaza at noon(ish) on Saturday, May 23 and ends in Ferndale on Monday, May 25. If you wanna get in on the action a little early, be sure to attend the Rutabaga Ball at the Eureka Theater at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 16.

For the glory!

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