What 261 Fearless does

261 Fearless is a US-incorporated nonprofit organization (261 Fearless, Inc., registered in New Jersey with a Flanders, NJ mailing address) that operates a global social running network for women. Founded in 2016 by Kathrine Switzer — whose bib number 261 at the 1967 Boston Marathon inspired the name — the organization runs 18 local 261 Clubs across 14 countries on 5 continents, supported by a network of more than 600 certified coaches, 12 Master Coaches, and approximately 7,000 cumulative participants aged 18 to 80. Core offerings include the 261 Coach Education Program (Train the Trainer certification plus ongoing women's health education), the Club Directors Program (business training for launching local nonprofits), the Activate You program for inactive women, and online programs for geographies without local clubs.

The underlying technology stack is composed entirely of third-party SaaS rather than proprietary infrastructure: Shopify powers the merchandise shop, Brevo handles email automation, GivenGain and GiveButter process donations, CORE Smartwork manages the member and coach database, Unipark supports research surveys, and Ninja Forms handles registrations. No proprietary AI, data platform, or member-facing application was identified; the only AI use case disclosed is light internal adoption (text generation, translation) covered in a May 2026 webinar for coaches. The trademark-protected 261® brand and partnership assets (Adidas, Peloton, Every Woman's Marathon, Avon) carry significant intangible value independent of any technology layer.

The revenue model is nonprofit and diversified across donations, corporate sponsorships, merchandise sales, charity team fundraising at major marathons (Boston, NYC, Chicago, Berlin, Every Woman's Marathon), coach certification fees, and recurring support via the 261 Friends program. Charity runner commitments at the NYC Marathon are structured at $4,000 (Charity Runner) and $1,800 (Bibbed Runner). Pricing for coach education and 261 Friends tiers is not publicly disclosed. The organization is governed by a Board including Horst Von Bohlen (Director of Education), Barry Lites (Secretary and Legal Counsel), and Claudia Kuhlmann, with CEO Edith Zuschmann leading operations. Kathrine Switzer remains the founder and public-facing figure.

Name

261 Fearless

Legal name

261 Fearless, Inc.

Website

https://261fearless.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

261 Fearless is a US nonprofit social running network for women, founded in 2016 by Kathrine Switzer, operating 18 local clubs across 14 countries with 600+ certified coaches and 7,000+ participants reached, funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, charity marathon teams, merchandise, and coach education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Running Community Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Women's running community
• Nonprofit running network
• Coach education programs
• Women's empowerment
• Fitness community clubs

Headquarters

HQ city

Flanders

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations from supporters who believe in women's empowerment through running. The organization uses GiveGain and GiveButter platforms for processing donations.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate engagement program where companies partner with 261 Fearless for sponsorship and cause marketing, including partners like Adidas, Peloton, Beyond Finance, and Avon.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of 261 Fearless branded merchandise including apparel through the online shop at shop.261fearless.org. Also includes special partnership items like the Little Words Project bracelet.
4. Education Program Registration: Revenue from certified coach education programs and Train the Trainer certification courses for women who want to become 261 Coaches or Club Directors.
5. 261 Friends Subscription: Fearless Friends program where individuals can support the organization on an ongoing basis, creating a recurring support mechanism.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

261 Fearless operates a global nonprofit women's running network providing local meet-run clubs, certified coach education, club director training, and online fitness programs. The organization empowers women through community-based running activities, sports-science-based education, and structured training delivered across 18 clubs in 14 countries on 5 continents.

Product overview

261 Fearless is a global non-profit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on empowering women through running and education. The core offerings include local 261 Running Clubs (18 clubs across 14 countries), the 261 Coach Education Program (certified training for women's running coaches), and the Club Directors Program (business training for starting local non-profit clubs). Supporting products include Ongoing Education Programs for coach development, the 261 Activate You program for inactive women, online virtual programs for global access, the Charity Team Program for marathon participation, the 261 Fearless Podcast, and the 261 Fearless Shop for branded merchandise. The organization was founded in 2016 and reaches women ages 18 to 80, with over 600 certified coaches and 7000+ women having participated in local clubs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 261 Coach Education: Certified education programs training women to become 261 Coaches who lead running clubs
• Activate You
• 261 Fearless Forward Wom-inar Series
• 261 Empowerment Classes
• Move the World
• 261 Friends

Products and services

• 261 Running Clubs Local women's running groups offering weekly meet runs led by certified coaches. Operates across 18 clubs in 14 countries on 5 continents for women of all fitness levels.
• 261 Coach Education Program Certified training program with Train the Trainer Certification Course and Business Training that qualifies women to lead 261 Fearless running clubs.
• Club Directors Program Program equipping women to start and lead local nonprofit 261 Clubs, providing business training, brand recognition, and operational support.
• 261 Activate You Fitness program designed to help inactive women begin regular exercise through structured support and women's health education.
• Charity Team Program Marathon charity partnership program allowing runners to participate in major races as charity runners supporting the 261 Fearless mission.
• 261 Fearless Shop E-commerce store selling 261 Fearless branded apparel and accessories, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600+ women certified as 261 Coaches
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AvonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partner for 2026 Boston Marathon weekend events and activities.
• Healthworks Back BayminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Boston-based fitness partner providing venue for 2026 Boston Marathon weekend events.
• Marathon Tours and TravelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Official travel partner for 2026 Boston Marathon events.
• Syracuse University Falk College of SportminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Academic partner for 2026 Boston Marathon weekend activities.
• Running MateminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partner for 2026 Boston Marathon weekend.
• Little Words ProjectminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Female-founded bracelet company. Partnership created custom 'One Step' bracelet with 25% of net proceeds donated to 261 Fearless. Limited-time availability during December.
• 261 Club Austria (WE RUN Initiative)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023New initiative in partnership with 261 Club Albania, Opportunity Balance Overcoming, and University of Prishtina. Co-financed by European Union through Erasmus+ Sport program for Capacity Building. Creates safe women-led spaces in Western Balkans.
• Secret 3KminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Virtual event charity partner allowing global participation. 261 Fearless announced as one of supported charities.
• Fair AnitaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Fair-trade jewelry company supporting women's economic empowerment. Partnership aligned with 261 Fearless mission of empowering women.
• AdidascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor providing apparel support and charity bibs for marathon events. Featured in footer as a supporting partner of 261 Fearless.
• PelotoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partnership including hosting of NYC Summit at Peloton Headquarters, live workout classes with Peloton instructors, and joint events at marathons. Peloton Germany hosted pre-race event at Berlin Marathon.
• Every Woman's MarathoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial charity partner of the Every Woman's Marathon, designed by women for women. Charity registration option for participants.
• Beyond FinanceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter featured in website footer, supporting the 261 Fearless mission.
• CORE Smartwork GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationSocial enterprise platform provider hosting the CORE database for managing member applications, coach data, and program registrations. Data stored until seven years after engagement ends.
• Brevo (Sendinblue GmbH)coreTechnology or IntegrationMarketing automation service provider for email communications, newsletters, and updates.
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform hosting the 261 Fearless online shop for merchandise sales.
• GivenGain FoundationcoreTechnology or IntegrationDonation platform enabling supporters to make charitable donations to 261 Fearless.
• GiveButtercoreTechnology or IntegrationDonation platform for collecting charitable contributions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Peloton: Connected fitness platform with women's-focused content and a current core GTM/marketing partner of 261 Fearless. Comparable as a women's fitness engagement platform and partner, with vastly greater scale, technology, and capital.
• Parkrun: Global network of free, weekly 5K community running events across dozens of countries. Directly comparable as a free, community-led running network with global geographic footprint, though without the gender-focused mission.
• Every Woman's Marathon: Marathon event 'designed by women for women' for which 261 Fearless is an official charity partner. Comparable as a women-focused endurance event brand and channel partner.
• New York Road Runners (NYRR): Largest and most established community running organization in the US, operating the TCS New York City Marathon and extensive youth and adult running programs. Comparable as a community running organization and marathon organizer, with substantially greater scale and resources.

Direct peers

• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society — Team In Training: Pioneer of the charity-team endurance fundraising model that recruits runners (and other athletes) to raise funds while training for major marathons. The most direct comparable to 261 Fearless's charity team model, though focused on cancer research.
• Girls on the Run: International nonprofit that empowers girls through running-based programs and curriculum in local schools and communities. Most directly comparable mission, structure, and delivery model to 261 Fearless, with broader age focus and larger scale.
• Back on My Feet: Nonprofit that uses running to promote self-sufficiency and confidence among individuals experiencing homelessness. Directly comparable as a nonprofit using structured running programs for empowerment outcomes, though focused on a different beneficiary group.
• Black Girls RUN!: National running community and nonprofit serving Black women runners through local running groups, events, and health advocacy. Closely comparable as a community-led women's running organization with local-club delivery and brand-driven mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXXEduXy-DU9KaWiB7I_UDg
• Facebookfacebook.com/261fearless
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/261fearless

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 261 Fearless