Epic Races

What Epic Races does

Epic Races is a privately held, founder-owned multisport race management company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that organizes and operates endurance athletic events across Southeast Michigan. Founded in 2008 by Eva Solomon, the company runs 11 annual events spanning triathlons (Island Lake Triathlon, Tri Goddess Triathlon, Ann Arbor Triathlon, Battle of Waterloo), running races (Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K, Trinity Health Probility Ann Arbor Marathon, Detroit Mother's Day Run, A2 Turkey Trot, Epic Pi Run), open water swims (Swim to the Moon), women's half marathons (Detroit Women's Half Marathon), and a growing slate of virtual races. It serves endurance athletes from beginner to elite, women athletes via the Goddess Racing Series sub-brand, volunteers and running clubs through the Epic Bucks rewards and Host Club programs, and 35+ charity partners through the Epic Giving program.

The company's underlying technology is deliberately light: registration, payment, and participant communication are delivered through the third-party RunSignup platform, supplemented by in-house race timing hardware (mats, loops, clocks) and a rental fleet of finish line trusses, inflatable arches, generators, WaterMonster hydration units, and supporting event infrastructure. There is no proprietary software, no mobile app, and no disclosed AI/ML capabilities; the company's intellectual property is concentrated in event operations know-how, brand, and venue/permit relationships.

Epic Races generates revenue through four streams: (1) individual race registration fees across 11+ events managed via RunSignup; (2) equipment rental to other event organizers (3-day rentals at $75–$1,200 per item, with a $1,000 minimum); (3) race timing services for external events ($900 minimum plus $3 per participant plus travel); and (4) event consulting at $200/hour with package options. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through epicraces.com, RunSignup, social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok), email marketing, and community word-of-mouth. The company is entirely bootstrapped with no disclosed funding rounds, no institutional investors, and no parent company.

Name

Epic Races

Legal name

Epic Races

Website

https://epicraces.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Epic Races is a privately held, founder-owned multisport race management company in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that organizes 11+ annual triathlons, marathons, 5Ks, open water swims, and virtual races across Southeast Michigan and offers equipment rental, race timing, and event consulting services to other event organizers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Endurance Race Management

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Mass Participation Race Organizers (Runs, Triathlons, Cycling) (MPAKADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Triathlon & Multisport Events (Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquathlon) (MPAKAIAB), Road Running Events (Marathons, Half Marathons, 10K/5K) (MPAKAIAA), Open Water Swimming Events (OWS Races, Swim Challenges) (MPAKAIAF), Endurance Stage & Destination Challenges (Multi-day Tours, Charity Challenges) (MPAKAIAG), Virtual & Hybrid Participation Events (App-Based, Remote/Hybrid Races) (MPAKAIAH)

Keywords

• Multisport race management
• Endurance event organization
• Race timing services
• Event equipment rental
• Triathlon event management

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

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, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Race Registration Fees: Individual participant registration fees for triathlons, marathons, 5K runs, duathlons, aquabike events, and virtual races. Registration managed through RunSignup platform.
2. Equipment Rental: Rental of race equipment including finish line trusses, inflatable arches, generators, timing clocks, tents, tables, barricades, bike racks, coolers, SUPs, kayaks, and rescue tubes. Three-day rental period (Friday-Sunday) with security deposit required.
3. Race Timing Services: Professional timing services for triathlons, marathons, 5K runs, and other endurance events. Includes timing hardware, mats, and loops. Minimum $900 plus $3 per participant plus travel expenses.
4. Event Consulting: Consultation services to help other organizations stage their own endurance events. Charged at $200/hour with package options available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Epic Races organizes and manages multisport endurance events across Southeast Michigan, including triathlons (Island Lake Triathlon, Tri Goddess Triathlon, Ann Arbor Triathlon, Battle of Waterloo), marathons (Ann Arbor Marathon), 5K/10K runs (Firecracker 5K, Detroit Mother's Day Run, A2 Turkey Trot, Epic Pi Run), women's running series (Detroit Women's Half Marathon, 10K & 5K), and open water swims (Swim to the Moon). Beyond its own events, the company also sells equipment rental, race timing services, and event consulting to other race organizers.

Product overview

Epic Races is a multisport race management company operating in Southeast Michigan that organizes a comprehensive portfolio of endurance events and supporting services. The core offering consists of multiple triathlon events (Island Lake Triathlon, Tri Goddess Triathlon, Ann Arbor Triathlon, Battle of Waterloo) and running events (Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K, Detroit Women's Half Marathon/10K/5K, Ann Arbor Marathon, Epic Pi Run, Detroit Mother's Day Run/Walk, Kroger A2 Turkey Trot), plus open water swimming events (Swim to the Moon). The company differentiates through the Goddess Racing Series, a women-focused sub-brand. Supporting services include Equipment Rental (finish lines, timing equipment, hydration systems), Race Timing Services, Event Consulting ($200/hr), the Volunteer Rewards Program, Epic Giving charitable program, and Training Plans. Additional offerings include Athena & Clydesdale weight-based divisions for triathlons, lifeguard and race operations crew employment, and an intern program for event planning and marketing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Goddess Racing Series: A women's racing series inspiring women of all ages and abilities to take charge of their health and fitness through triathlon, half marathon, 5K, and 10K events.

Products and services

• Island Lake Triathlon A triathlon event held at Island Lake in Brighton, MI, part of Epic Races' multisport endurance event portfolio. Targeted at triathletes of varying skill levels.
• Tri Goddess Triathlon A women-focused triathlon event held in Grass Lake, MI, celebrating women of all abilities and inspiring them to reach new fitness goals.
• Ann Arbor Firecracker 5K An annual 5K running event held on July 4th in Downtown Ann Arbor, MI.
• Ann Arbor Triathlon A triathlon event held in Gregory, MI, offering multiple distance options including sprint and Olympic distances.
• Battle of Waterloo A 10-stage adventure triathlon held at Waterloo State Recreation Area, offering both full and half battle distances with multiple leg cutoffs.
• Swim to the Moon An open water swimming event with 5K, 10K, and 15K distances held in Pinckney, MI.
• Detroit Women's Half Marathon, 10K & 5K A women-focused running event held on Belle Isle in Detroit, offering half marathon, 10K, and 5K distances, walker-friendly.
• Trinity Health Probility Ann Arbor Marathon A full marathon event held in Downtown Ann Arbor, MI, with cut-off times and sag vehicle support.
• The Original Kroger A2 Turkey Trot An annual Thanksgiving running event held in Dexter, MI.
• Detroit Mother's Day Run/Walk A Mother's Day running event held on Belle Isle in Detroit, offering 10K, 5K, 1-mile, and kids' run distances.
• Epic Pi Run A themed running event held in Ypsilanti, MI, with a pi/mathematical theme.
• May the 4th Run Virtual Race

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• M3S Sports: Midwest multisport timing and event management company providing race timing, event production, and management for triathlons and running events. Comparable as both a timing-services competitor and small-scale regional race organizer.
• 3Disciplines: Multisport race management company producing triathlon, duathlon, and running events in the southern US. Directly comparable as a regional multisport event organizer with a similar event portfolio and DTC registration model.
• HITS Endurance (HITS Inc.): Multisport endurance series including triathlon, running, and cycling events across multiple US locations. Comparable as a multi-event mass participation endurance organizer with similar race formats (triathlon, marathon, 5K).
• Bigfoot Race Productions: Mid-size multisport event producer organizing snowshoe races, trail runs, and endurance challenges. Comparable as a niche endurance/mass-participation race organizer of similar scale and team size.

Emerging players

• See Jane Run: Women's-focused running event series producing 5K, 10K, and half marathon events. Directly comparable sub-brand competitor to Epic Races' Goddess Racing Series in the women's endurance segment.

Regional players

• Playmakers Racing Events: Michigan running store and event operator hosting races in the Lansing and greater Michigan area. Comparable as a Michigan-based regional race organizer in the same local competitive set as Epic Races.
• RAM Racing: Michigan-based event management company producing running races, triathlons, and cycling events in the Midwest. Highly comparable as a regional multisport/race organizer operating in adjacent Michigan geographies with similar race formats and volunteer-driven model.

Broad incumbents

• IRONMAN: Global triathlon and endurance event brand owning mass-participation triathlons, marathons, and Ironman 70.3 events. Comparable as the dominant incumbent multisport and endurance race organizer that Epic Races competes against at the regional/provincial level.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/epicracesevents
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epicraces

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Epic Races