You may have seen the Grateful Shred tee on our site. And although it’s a nod to our roots in Marin County, it also traces back to an unlikely and deeply personal story that connects Marin to the country I’m from: Lithuania.
In 1992, Lithuania was newly independent of the Soviet Union, and qualified for the Olympics as an independent nation for the first time. They had no funding, no uniforms, and little support. That’s when a little band from Marin, The Grateful Dead, stepped in. They not only donated money, but designed psychedelic tie-dye uniforms that made the team impossible to miss.
Against all odds, the Lithuanian team took home bronze, and what started as a quirky act of support became something bigger — a symbol of resilience, freedom, and self-expression. (If you want to learn more about the story of the team, The Other Dream Team is a wonderful documentary captures just how much that team meant to Lithuanians.)
That story, part miracle and part rebellion, stuck with me and, in some ways, reflected my own journey. As a Lithuanian who lived in the US for years, I never quite felt at home until I moved to Marin County. The trails, the redwoods, the salty air, and most of all, the people — it felt like finding my team. Out here, I discovered a welcoming community that shows up for each other and celebrates the freedom of doing things a little differently.
The Grateful Shred is a tribute to that shared spirit.
At East Peak, we believe trail running is more than a sport. It’s how we connect with nature and with each other. Our tagline is Run wild, strange, and free
- Wild means embracing adventure and the unpredictable beauty of the outdoors.
- Strange means running your own way, not taking it all too seriously, and making room for play.
- Free means letting go of expectations and rediscovering the joy of just moving forward.
The Grateful Shred is a small piece of that bigger idea. A reminder to just lace up and be yourself on the trails.
- Paulius