EX2 Adventures

What EX2 Adventures does

EX2 Adventures is an endurance sports event production company headquartered in Reston, Virginia that designs, organizes, and operates off-road endurance races across Northern Virginia and Maryland. Founded in 2000 by Jim and Kimberly Harman and under the ownership of Andy Bacon since 2017, the company produces 18-20 events annually spanning trail running, mountain biking, gravel cycling, adventure racing, and off-road triathlon, and has staged more than 400 events cumulatively since inception. The organization employs approximately 22 staff members and serves individual consumer athletes rather than enterprise customers.

The company's revenue model is event-fee based: athletes pay registration fees ranging from $35 to $155 depending on distance and format. Registration and timing are handled through third-party platforms RunSignUp and BikeReg, with no proprietary technology platform developed in-house. Signature properties include the EX2 Adventure Race, VentureQuest (which has hosted more than 5,000 cumulative athletes), and a portfolio of trail, gravel, and triathlon events including the Rocky Gap 25K/50K (introduced 2022) and the reimagined Rocky Gap Off-Road Triathlon (2026).

EX2 operates a Charity Partner Program launched in 2020 that has channeled more than $375,000 to community and conservation causes, including a 5% gross-donation commitment to America's Routes and an ongoing trail-maintenance partnership with Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE). The business is privately held, family-run, and operates without outside funding. All operations remain concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic region, with no disclosed plans for geographic expansion or external capital formation.

Name

EX2 Adventures

Legal name

EX2 Adventures

Website

https://ex2adventures.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EX2 Adventures is a Reston, Virginia-based endurance event production company that designs and operates trail running, mountain biking, gravel cycling, adventure racing, and off-road triathlon events in Northern Virginia and Maryland, serving individual consumer athletes with 18-20 events per year.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Endurance Sports Event Production

NAICS

All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (713990), Other Spectator Sports (711219)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Trail Running & Ultra-Endurance Events (Trail Races, Ultras) (MPAKAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Obstacle Course & Adventure Races (OCR, Mud Runs, Adventure Racing) (MPAKAIAE), Cycling Events (Road Races, Gran Fondos, Sportives) (MPAKAIAC), Virtual & Hybrid Participation Events (App-Based, Remote/Hybrid Races) (MPAKAIAH)

Keywords

• Trail running events
• Endurance race production
• Off-road triathlon events
• Adventure racing events
• Mountain bike races

Headquarters

HQ city

Reston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Race Registration Fees: Primary revenue stream from individual event registration fees ranging from $35-$155 depending on event type, distance, and registration timing (early bird to race day pricing).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EX2 Adventures produces and operates endurance sports events including trail running races, mountain bike races, gravel cycling rides, adventure races, and off-road triathlons. The company organizes 18-20 events per year across Northern Virginia and Maryland parks, offering multiple distances, series-based point competitions, and beginner-friendly formats. Registrations are sold directly to individual athletes through online platforms (RunSignUp, BikeReg) and on-site registration at regional park venues.

Product overview

EX2 Adventures operates as an endurance event production company offering a portfolio of outdoor racing events. The core offering includes trail running race series (Spring Backyard Burn, Fall Backyard Burn, Blue Crab Bolt) and standalone trail runs (Rosaryville, Fountainhead, Schaeffer, Rocky Gap 25K/50K), adventure races (VentureQuest and Greenhorn), cycling events (Rails to River XC MTB, Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder, Cranky Monkey MTB), and off-road triathlons (Rocky Gap). Most events are concentrated in Northern Virginia and Maryland parks, with series events offering multiple race dates at different venues and points-based competition formats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Spring Backyard Burn Trail Running Series A series of 5 and 10 mile trail running races held across multiple Northern Virginia parks (Wakefield, Laurel Hill, Pohick Bay, Lake Fairfax) featuring forested fire roads, twisty hiking trails, stream crossings, grassy fields, and minimal pavement.
• Fall Backyard Burn Trail Running Series The 21st annual series of 5 and 10 mile trail running races held across five Northern Virginia parks (Laurel Hill, Lake Fairfax, Hemlock, Riverbend, Fountainhead) featuring forested fire roads, hiking trails, stream crossings, and grassy fields.
• Blue Crab Bolt Trail Running Series The 16th annual series of 5K and 10K trail running races held at Montgomery County, Maryland parks (Seneca Creek, Schaeffer Farm, Little Bennett) featuring winding singletrack hiking trails, stream crossings, grassy fields, and minimal pavement.
• Rosaryville Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Trail Run Trail running race at Rosaryville State Park in Upper Marlboro, MD featuring half marathon (~13.5 miles), 10K, and 5K distances with beginner-friendly terrain through mixed hardwood forests and fields.
• Fountainhead Half Marathon and 10K Trail Run Trail running race at Fountainhead Regional Park, VA featuring half marathon and 10K distances. Also serves as the Collegiate Running Association's US Trail Running Championship. Course includes Bull-Run Occoquan Trail with challenging terrain along the Occoquan Reservoir.
• Schaeffer Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Trail Run Trail running race at Button Farm in Germantown, MD featuring half marathon (13.5 miles), 10K, and 5K distances on twisty singletrack and wide-open farm field running at Schaeffer Farms trail system.
• Rocky Gap 25K, 50K, Relay Trail Run Ultra-distance trail running race at Rocky Gap State Park featuring 25K, 50K, and relay options. The race highlights three different loops (A, B, C) with varying difficulty. Solo runners and relay teams of 2 or 3 are welcome.
• VentureQuest Adventure Race 8-hour adventure race featuring mountain biking, trail running/trekking, paddling, and navigation. Teams of up to 4 navigate checkpoints using maps and compasses. Staging from Rocky Gap State Park with up to 32 miles of total distance. Over 5,000 athletes have participated in its 21-year edition history.
• Greenhorn Adventure Race 4-hour sprint adventure race designed for beginners as a gateway into adventure racing. Features mountain biking, trekking, and paddling with straightforward navigation. Staging from Rocky Gap State Park.
• Rocky Gap Off-Road Triathlon and Duathlon Off-road triathlon and duathlon at Rocky Gap State Park with full and sprint distances. Full triathlon features 0.75-mile swim, 10.5-mile mountain bike, and 5.8-mile run. Also includes aquabike and relay options.
• Rails to River XC Mountain Bike Race Cross-country mountain bike race at Lake Fairfax Park with Base (7.5 miles), Sport (15 miles), and Expert (23 miles) distances. Approximately 7.5-mile course with 500 feet elevation change.
• Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder Scenic gravel cycling event along historic 1700s gravel roads in Loudoun County, VA. Routes of 40, 60, or 80 miles with full marking and support, mechanical and SAG support, and post-ride food and beer. 5% of gross ride funds donated to America's Routes nonprofit.
• Cranky Monkey Mountain Bike Race Mountain bike race at Rosaryville State Park with Beginner (5.6 miles), Base (9 miles), Sport (20 miles), and Expert (30 miles) courses. Features Perimeter and Tilly trails with varying elevation challenges.
• Backyard BRRR Virtual Challenge Virtual trail running challenge event held in January, allowing participants to complete distances remotely while tracking progress through the RunSignUp platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• $375,000+ raised for charity partners since 2020
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• HomestretchminorOthers · 1 May 2020Falls Church, VA nonprofit addressing root causes of homelessness for families with children. EX2 has generated over $280,000 for this organization through its charity partner program.
• Interfaith WorksminorOthers · 1 May 2020Montgomery County, MD nonprofit providing emergency shelter, supportive housing, and employment programs to over 35,000 residents annually. EX2 has generated over $21,000.
• Capital Area Food BankminorOthers · 1 May 2020Regional food bank working to provide equitable access to food. EX2 has generated over $13,000 through charity partner program.
• Friends of Rocky Gap State ParkminorOthers · 1 May 2020501(c)3 volunteer group supporting projects at Rocky Gap State Park. EX2 has generated over $5,700 plus $500 in individual donations.
• City Kids Wilderness ProjectminorOthers · 1 May 2020DC-based nonprofit providing outdoor programming for 6th-12th grade students over seven years. EX2 has generated over $2,000.
• Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMORE maintains hundreds of miles of trails in 61 state and county parks in the Mid-Atlantic region. EX2 partners with MORE for trail maintenance and has raised over $11,000 for the organization. EX2 also participates in numerous trail work days each year and has made additional individual donations totaling over $2,000.
• America's RoutescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerica's Routes is a 501(c)3 nonprofit working to preserve historic rural gravel roads in Loudoun County, VA. EX2's Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder donates 5% of gross ride funds to the organization, totaling over $19,000 raised.
• Baird AutomotiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArlington, VA auto repair shop owned by longtime EX2 racer Joey Baird. Provides $100 'Benjamin Bash' cash prize at each race event.
• Trailhead Financial (Erik Scudder)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial advisor and decade-long EX2 race participant. Provides coffee in cold weather and watermelon in hot weather at races. Gives away iTunes gift cards to two lucky racers each race.
• Sheehy Auto StoresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVirginia and Maryland auto dealership group with 30 dealerships and 14 brands. President Vince Sheehy is an EX2 racer and supporter of grassroots racing.
• Athletic BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-alcoholic craft beer producer. Provides samples at races for participants to try. Available at Total Wine, Whole Foods, and Wegmans.
• Swim Bike Run PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrian Knight has been shooting EX2 events since the beginning, providing professional race photography coverage.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Pyramid Race Management: Independent regional race management firm producing running and endurance events. Comparable to EX2 as a small, multi-event operator using outsourced timing/registration infrastructure to run a regional event calendar.
• Aravaipa Running: Arizona-based, family-run endurance event production company specializing in trail running and ultra events. Highly comparable to EX2 in operating model — small team, regional park-based races, multi-event annual calendar, strong community brand — and one of the most-cited independent trail race organizers in the U.S.
• J&A Racing: Mid-Atlantic race production company producing running, triathlon, and endurance events across Virginia and Maryland. Closest geographic peer to EX2, with overlapping venues, athlete base, and a similar multi-discipline event portfolio.
• HURT (Hawaii Ultra Running Team): Producer of trail running and ultra-endurance events in Hawaii with a decades-long community-driven operating model. Comparable to EX2 in scale, discipline focus, and longevity as an independent, race-organizer-led endurance brand.
• Destination Trails: Produces gravel cycling and adventure events with a regional focus and strong community/charity positioning. Directly comparable to EX2 on the cycling side (Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder) and on the small-team, partnership-driven operational model.

Broad incumbents

• Spartan Race: Large-scale obstacle course and adventure race brand with national and international events. Comparable to EX2's VentureQuest and Greenhorn adventure races on category (multi-discipline adventure racing) but operates at a vastly larger scale and with venture-backed infrastructure.
• Ironman (World Triathlon Corporation): Global triathlon and endurance event brand that owns many of the marquee off-road and triathlon events. Relevant to EX2's Rocky Gap Off-Road Triathlon business as a broad incumbent whose brand, sponsorship scale, and athlete database sit several tiers above EX2's regional operation.
• REI Events: REI's in-store and regional outdoor events program. While not a direct race-production competitor, REI organizes participatory outdoor events that overlap with EX2's trail running and outdoor recreation audience and could expand into endurance event production in EX2's geography.

Others

• RunSignup Race Series: Not a peer in event production but a key platform used by EX2 for registration and timing. Included as an ecosystem participant because EX2's operational model is built on top of RunSignUp's infrastructure and any changes to that platform directly affect EX2's cost structure.

Emerging players

• Pacific Crest Endurance Sports Festival: Multi-sport endurance event (trail running, mountain biking, paddling, adventure racing) with a regional festival format. Comparable to EX2's VentureQuest/Greenhorn adventure races and Rocky Gap triathlon, but operates on the West Coast — relevant as a structural peer in the same category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ex2adventures
• Facebookfacebook.com/EX2Adventures
• Instagraminstagram.com/ex2adventures
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ex2adventures

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 EX2 Adventures