Local legend is a new challenge that will sit alongside KOM/QOM and rewards the athlete who completes a segment the most over a rolling 90-day period regardless of pace. It’s a feature designed to address concerns that it can be difficult for the lay-cyclist to achieve a KOM or QOM in their neighborhood. It will be available to run, ride, walk, hike, and alpine/backcountry/nordic ski segments.
For example, the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil is part of a centuries-old tradition that predicts whether spring will come. Another famous urban legend is that of the slender White Lady, who is seen in rural areas and is associated with tragedy. The wailing ghostly figure La Llorona is deep in Mexican and Southwestern folklore. She drowned her children in a moment of despair and is said to haunt bodies of water where her cries can be heard.
There’s even a local legend about a giant snake that allegedly slithered out of a swamp and killed people in the town of Bladenboro, North Carolina. It’s a reminder that local folklore isn’t always friendly and it can be dangerous.
Strava rolled out Local Legend in July of 2020 as a way to reward consistency over raw speed. The challenge is based on the number of efforts an athlete completes in a specific segment over a 90-day period and will be awarded on runs, rides, and walks in addition to alpine/backcountry/nordic skiing and snowboard segments. Private activities and efforts that are outside of the competition window will not count.