Running Escapes

What Running Escapes does

Trail Running Escapes is a woman-owned, founder-operated adventure tourism business founded in 2014 by Erica Efinger, an RRCA-, USAT&F-, and Natural Running-certified coach and Race Director. The company produces two complementary product lines: (1) multi-day, fully supported trail running camps at four geographies — Sedona (Coconino National Forest), Santa Monica Mountains (standard and Backbone Trail traverse), and Mammoth Mountain/Sierra Nevadas (Inyo National Forest) — priced at $595 per participant and including shuttle transportation, local trail guides, on-route support vehicles, GPX navigation files, and post-run refreshments; and (2) two annual destination trail races in Sedona — the Vortex Ultra Experience (VUE) in April offering 4- to 50-mile distances, and the Red Rocks of Sedona Trail Races (RRS) in October offering 2.5- to 26.2-mile distances, with mandatory shuttle service at $15 per runner.

The underlying technology stack is intentionally lean and third-party: Ride with GPS powers all course design, GPX/TCX file generation, voice navigation, and offline map delivery to participants, while Ultrasignup handles race registration, timing, and results. The company does not maintain a native mobile app, API, or proprietary platform; instead, GPX files are emailed to participants prior to each event. Operating geographies are Western US (Arizona, Southern California, Sierra Nevadas), with the company holding federal forest permits from both Coconino and Inyo National Forests.

The business model is purely transactional and consumer-direct, with all bookings handled via website contact forms, email ([email protected]), or the Ultrasignup self-serve platform. There is no recurring revenue, no subscription, and no enterprise channel. Go-to-market is community-led: word-of-mouth from repeat attendees, organic social media (notably a YouTube channel at youtube.com/@TrailRunningEscapes), earned media in Sedona Monthly and Ultrarunning Magazine, and an ecosystem of brand sponsors (Columbia Sportswear, Skratch Labs, Athletic Brewing, Wild Tonic, Squirrel's Nut Butter, Nackard Pepsi) plus nonprofit partners (Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund, Arielle's Light, Warrior Trail Foundation). A sister brand, Cycling Escapes, extends the same operational playbook to cycling under shared ownership.

Name

Running Escapes

Legal name

Trail Running Escapes

Website

https://trailrunningescapes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Trail Running Escapes is a woman-owned, founder-operated adventure tourism company founded in 2014 that produces fully supported, multi-day trail running camps and two annual destination trail races in Sedona, Arizona and California for recreational and competitive trail runners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Adventure Running Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Outdoor Guiding Services (Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering) (THAAALAA), Adventure Base Camps (Trek/Climb/Expedition Camps) (THAGAOAG)

Keywords

• Trail running camps
• Trail race events
• Ultra marathon experiences
• Outdoor adventure running
• Guided running tours

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Trail Running Camp Registrations: Multi-day trail running camps in Sedona, Santa Monica Mountains, and Mammoth Lakes. Camps are 4-5 days with all logistics handled by the company. Includes transportation to trailheads, local trail guides, GPX files, support vehicle, and post-run refreshments.
2. Trail Race Event Registrations: One-day and multi-day trail race events with multiple distance options (2.5M to 50M). Includes race timing, aid stations, course marking, finishers medals/buckles, technical shirts, and post-race vendor village festivities.
3. Shuttle Services: Optional runner shuttle service for point-to-point race courses, offered at $15 per person.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Trail Running Escapes operates a trail running experience company offering two main product lines: multi-day fully supported trail running camps in Sedona, Santa Monica Mountains, and Mammoth Lakes, and organized trail race events (Vortex Ultra Experience and Red Rocks of Sedona). Camps and races include local trail guides, support vehicles for refueling and gear transport, GPX navigation files, and shuttle transportation to trailheads.

Product overview

Trail Running Escapes operates as a trail running experience company offering two main product lines: multi-day fully supported trail running camps and organized trail races. The camps include guided experiences in Santa Monica Mountains (standard 5-day camp and Backbone Trail traverse), Red Rocks of Sedona, and Mammoth Mountain/Sierra Nevadas. Each camp provides shuttle transportation, local trail guides, support vehicles for nutrition/hydration, and GPX navigation files. The races include the Red Rocks of Sedona Trail Races (RRS) held in October and the Vortex Ultra Experience (VUE) held in April, both offering multiple distance options from 2.5 to 50 miles. All experiences are priced at $595 for camps, with race fees ranging from $45 (2.5M) to $165 (Marathon). The company operates under permits from Coconino National Forest and Inyo National Forest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trail Running Escapes Camps Multi-day fully supported trail running camp experiences held in scenic locations. Camps include shuttle transportation to trailheads, local trail guides, support vehicle for refueling and rehydrating, GPX files, and trail maps. Participants can choose partial or full mileage options each day.
• Santa Monica Mountains Trail Running Camp 5-day trail running camp in the Santa Monica Mountains near Los Angeles, California. Offers 35-62 miles of trails with 7,100+ feet elevation gain. Host hotel is Westlake Village Inn. Departures at 8:30 AM with average 12 miles per day.
• Backbone Trail/Santa Monica Mountains Traverse Camp 4-day specialty trail running camp traversing the 68-mile Backbone Trail from Will Rogers State Park to Point Mugu State Park. Covers 14,728 feet elevation gain. Higher intensity with average 17 miles per day requiring ability to run/hike 4-5 hours daily.
• Red Rocks of Sedona Trail Running Camp 5-day trail running camp in Coconino National Forest, Sedona, Arizona. Covers 45 miles with 4,400 feet elevation gain. Operates February, March, and November with base camp at Arabella Hotel. Average 9 miles per day starting at 8:30 AM.
• Mammoth Mountain/Sierra Nevadas Trail Running Camp 4-day trail running camp at Mammoth Lakes, California at 7,880-11,035 feet elevation. Covers 50 miles with 8,000 feet elevation gain. Host hotel is Mammoth Mountain Inn with 20% discount. Participants should be able to run/hike 6-10 miles daily.
• Red Rocks of Sedona Trail Races (RRS) Annual fall trail race event held the third Saturday in October. Offers Mountain Marathon, 20 Miler, 10 Miler, and 2.5 Miler distances through Coconino National Forest. Point-to-point course with mandatory shuttle from finish to start.
• Vortex Ultra Experience (VUE) Annual spring trail race held around Earth Day weekend (third Saturday in April). Offers five distances: 50 Miles, 34 Miles, 21 Miles, 12 Miles, and 4 Miles on Sedona's westside trails. Includes stage race option, post-race kickback, and vendor village.

Quantifiable outcome

• Runners have credited the camp experience with achieving personal goals including Boston Marathon qualification
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Sedona Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrail Running Escapes is a member of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. The partnership supports local trail stewardship and sustainable tourism initiatives in Sedona's Red Rock Country.
• Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor EthicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to promote outdoor ethics and environmental stewardship. Company asks all participants to take the Sedona Cares Pledge at SedonaCares.com.
• Sedona Red Rock Trail FundcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProud supporter of the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund. Company operates under permit by Coconino National Forest. Partnership supports trail maintenance and preservation.
• Arabella Hotel SedonacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost hotel for Sedona camps and races. Provides 30% discount code 'TRE' for race participants. Located in heart of Sedona near Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village.
• Columbia SportswearflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor for 2025 Vortex Ultra Experience. Brought 'the stoke' to event participants.
• Skratch LabscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial hydration and nutrition partner. Supplies Skratch hydration mix, energy chews, and bars for all aid stations and camp support vehicles.
• Let's Wander PhotographycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial race photographer for events. Captures runner photos throughout races and events, available for purchase in online gallery.
• 444 RunningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Sedona running group that co-hosts community runs and pre-race shakeout runs with Trail Running Escapes.
• Rapid Response RehydrationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPost-race IV hydration services at vendor village. Available for participant recovery after races.
• Wild TonicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKombucha brand providing product samples at post-race kickback events and vendor village.
• Athletic BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-alcoholic beer sponsor for post-race celebrations and vendor village.
• Squirrel's Nut ButterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChafing prevention product provided at aid stations for runner care.
• Nackard PepsiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage sponsor providing Pepsi products at aid stations.
• Cycling EscapescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company producing cycling events. Same ownership/management team. Cross-promotional partner for adventure tourism. Partner offers camps in Santa Monica Mountains canyons.
• UltrasignupcoreTechnology or IntegrationRegistration platform and timing results host for all race events. Handles race registration, timing data, and results posting.
• Ride with GPScoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial course mapping and navigation platform. Used to create all race courses, GPX files, and voice navigation for participants. Partner since company's founding.
• Arielle's LightminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMental health nonprofit supported by company. Dedicated to shining hope on mental health struggles and making therapy accessible for youth aged 13-25.
• Warrior Trail FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit supporting veterans with PTSD and MST through trail therapy. Beneficiary of 'Skin in the Game' film premiere event donations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aravaipa Running: Arizona-based trail running race organizer that produces numerous mass-participation ultra and trail events (including Javelina Jundred). Directly comparable product/customer overlap in desert trail races with strong community-driven marketing and similar coach/race-director operating model.
• Destination Races: Operator of marquee destination trail marathons (Moab Trail Marathon, Bryce Canyon, etc.). Directly comparable business model of destination trail races targeting traveling runners, similar tiered distance offerings, and national-park/forest permit dependence.
• Cycling Escapes: Sister company to Trail Running Escapes under shared ownership, offering guided cycling camps in the Santa Monica Mountains. Comparable operating model, host hotels, support-vehicle logistics, and overlapping rider/ runner customer base with cross-promotion potential.
• Active at Altitude: Trail running and alpine training camp operator offering multi-day guided mountain running experiences. Closely comparable to TRE camps in product structure (multi-day guided running, logistics handled, certified coaching) with overlapping destination/runner audience.
• Trail Racing Over Texas (TROT): Texas-based trail running series producing multiple events annually with tiered distances and aid-station-supported courses. Comparable in event-driven, community-led trail race model and runner demographic overlap.
• Hawaiian Ultra Running Team (HURT): Long-standing ultra-trail event organizer (HURT 100 and related races). Directly comparable as a destination trail/ultramarathon race operator with permit-managed forest/park courses and a community-led marketing model.

Others

• Ultrasignup: Platform/infrastructure provider used by Trail Running Escapes for race registration and timing. Not a competitor but a key ecosystem vendor whose product roadmap and pricing shape TRE's registration economics.

Broad incumbents

• REI Co-op Experiences: National outdoor retailer operating guided multiday adventure experiences including hiking and trail running trips. Overlaps with TRE in guided outdoor trip delivery but operates at vastly greater scale and broader portfolio.

Regional players

• Run Flagstaff: Northern Arizona trail race organizer producing events such as the Mt. Elden Run and other Flagstaff-area trail races. Comparable in trail race operating model but limited overlap — serves a different Arizona micro-region from TRE's Sedona camps.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TrailRunningEscapes
• Facebookfacebook.com/socaltrailrunningescapes

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 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 Running Escapes