The Broken Arrow Skyrace

What The Broken Arrow Skyrace does

The Broken Arrow Skyrace is an independently owned and operated annual four-day trail running event held at Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics) in Olympic Valley, California. Founded in 2016 by three Lake Tahoe residents — Brendan Madigan, Ethan Veneklasen, and Geoff Quine — the event operates as Alpenglow Mountain Racing LLC and offers eleven race distances ranging from a Kids Race to a Triple Crown spanning Ascent, 11K, 18K, 23K, and 46K races, plus Iron Face Challenge, Iron Crown, and Trail Futures NTN youth events. In 2025 the event drew more than 3,700 runners from 31 countries and was the only U.S. stop on both the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup and the Golden Trail World Series.

The business is not a technology company: core operations run on third-party platforms including Ultrasignup for registration, RaceResult for results, Strava for route data, Garmin for training devices, and an Endurance HQ-powered mobile app. Revenue is generated through five primary streams — race entry fees ($30-$150 depending on distance, with day-of premiums), spectator tickets, multi-tiered sponsorships anchored by a multi-year ACG (Nike) title deal, race swag/merchandise distributed through Alpenglow Sports, and ancillary coaching/training partnerships (notably MVB Coaching's pre-built and personalized training plans). The event supports an Elite Housing Program housing 75+ international athletes with local families, an Inclusivity Initiative providing complimentary entries and stipends to nearly 100 athletes from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and Non-Binary run clubs, and a community of 40+ brand partners across Summit, Basecamp, and Presenting tiers.

Commercially, the company remains founder-led, privately held, and structurally a "passion project" without disclosed institutional funding; all three founders hold other full-time roles. The 2026 edition raised the headline prize purse to $150,000 (a 76.5% YoY increase) and added youth and adaptive programming, reflecting reinvestment from the new title sponsorship. The event operates within a single U.S. geography (Palisades Tahoe) but serves a global participant base through online registration and elite-athlete recruitment.

Name

The Broken Arrow Skyrace

Legal name

Alpenglow Mountain Racing LLC

Website

https://brokenarrowskyrace.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Broken Arrow Skyrace is an independently owned annual four-day trail running event at Palisades Tahoe, California, offering eleven race distances from kids races to 46K ultras. It serves elite and recreational runners globally, monetized through entry fees, a $150,000 prize purse, multi-tiered sponsorships led by Nike's ACG, and spectator tickets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trail Running Events

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Endurance Stage & Destination Challenges (Multi-day Tours, Charity Challenges) (MPAKAIAG)

Keywords

• Trail running event
• Mountain racing competition
• Ultra trail races
• Skyrace event
• Endurance sports event

Headquarters

HQ city

Olympic Valley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Race Entry Fees: The primary revenue stream for the Broken Arrow Skyrace is race entry fees. Runners register for distances ranging from Kids Race to Triple Crown, with online registration closing June 1, 2026. Prices vary by distance, with the Triple Crown at $150, 46K at $80, 23K at $40, and shorter distances (Ascent, 11K, 18K) at $30. Day-of registration carries a $50 premium for longer distances and $40 for shorter ones. Waitlist and partial credit programs manage demand for sold-out distances.
2. Spectator Tickets: The Broken Arrow Skyrace sells spectator tickets for individuals who wish to attend the event to watch runners compete. This provides a secondary revenue stream from non-participant attendees.
3. Sponsorships and Partnerships: The Broken Arrow Skyrace generates revenue through multi-tiered sponsorship arrangements with brands including ACG (title sponsor), Palisades Tahoe, Garmin, Darn Tough, Sidas, LEKI, Alpenglow Sports, and over 40 other partners across Summit, Basecamp, and Presenting Partner tiers. Sponsors provide cash contributions, in-kind products (socks, insoles, poles, nutrition, coolers, sunscreen, eyewear, etc.), and operational support in exchange for brand visibility, athlete associations, and vendor village placement.
4. Race Swag and Merchandise: The Broken Arrow Skyrace generates revenue through participant race swag included with registration. Runners receive high-quality event merchandise (shirts, gear) with a policy that swag value is intended to exceed race entry cost. Runners who withdraw forfeit swag, and excess swag is donated to local nonprofits. A shop section on the website links to Alpenglow Sports for apparel and equipment.
5. Training Run Participation: The Broken Arrow Skyrace organizes free community training runs in Berkeley (March) and Marin Headlands (April) in partnership with Sports Basement and San Francisco Running Company. While the runs are free to participate in, they drive demand for the main event, reinforce brand loyalty, and provide vendor demo opportunities for sponsors including ACG, LEKI, Nomadix, Garmin, Sidas, and Hydrapak.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Broken Arrow Skyrace operates a four-day, multi-distance trail running event held annually at Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley, California. It offers eleven race distances from Kids Race to Triple Crown, including the Ascent (vertical kilometer), 11K, 18K, 23K, 46K, Iron Crown, Iron Face Challenge, and youth Trail Futures NTN races. The 2026 edition features a $150,000 prize purse and is sanctioned under the WMRA World Cup.

Product overview

The Broken Arrow Skyrace is a four-day, eleven-distance trail running event held at Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley, California. The core offering is the race portfolio spanning distances from kids races to the 46K ultramarathon, complemented by support services including an Elite Athlete Housing Program, MVB Coaching training plans, and an Inclusivity Initiative supporting underrepresented communities. The event features a $150,000 prize purse across the Ascent, 23K, and 46K distances, with the 2026 edition presented by ACG (All Conditions Gear), a Nike brand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Trail Futures NTN: Nike Trail Nationals - a youth national championship-caliber event for U-18 (Eagle) and U-14 (Kestrel) runners, designed to encourage development of next-generation trail runners

Products and services

• Race Distance Portfolio Eleven distinct race distances including Ascent (vertical kilometer), 11K, 18K, 23K, 46K, Triple Crown, Iron Crown, Iron Face Challenge, Kids Race, and Trail Futures NTN youth races held at Palisades Tahoe over four days.
• Spectator Tickets

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,700+ runners from 31 countries participated in 2025, with the event being the only U.S. stop on the WMRA World Cup and Golden Trail World Series.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

42 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship (title presenting partner), core, summit partner, basecamp partner and minor.

• ACG (All Conditions Gear)flagship (title presenting partner)Strategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025ACG, a Nike brand designed for athletes who seek the challenge of thriving in the wild, is the title presenting sponsor of the Broken Arrow Skyrace in a new multi-year partnership announced December 2, 2025. The partnership features the largest prize purse in international trail running ($150,000 total, $30,000 for 23K winner) and the launch of Trail Futures NTN (Nike Trail Nationals), a youth national championship-caliber event. ACG support enables expanded spectator infrastructure via ski resort lifts, enhanced inclusivity initiatives, and youth race programming.
• Palisades TahoecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPalisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics) is the Official Host Mountain of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. The event utilizes the resort's high-alpine terrain, ski lifts for spectator transport, venue infrastructure, and lodging. Palisades Tahoe provides the physical location and resort infrastructure essential to the event's delivery.
• North Tahoe ChambercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe North Tahoe Chamber is the Official Host of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. The Chamber, funded by the TOT-TBID Dollars At Work Program, supports the event as part of its economic development and community vitality initiatives for North Lake Tahoe.
• Alpenglow SportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlpenglow Sports is the Official Retail Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. Founded in 1979 and based in Tahoe City, it is owned by Broken Arrow founder Brendan Madigan. The shop serves as the primary retail outlet for Broken Arrow merchandise and race-ready equipment, and the company organizes the annual training runs in Berkeley and Marin Headlands.
• Darn Tough VermontcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDarn Tough Vermont is the Official Sock Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, a role it has held since 2016. The family-owned American manufacturer provides high-quality socks as race swag and part of the participant experience, backed by an unconditional lifetime guarantee.
• GarmincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGarmin is the Official Training Device Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, providing GPS navigation and wearable technology products for participants. Garmin's partnership includes product demos at training runs and vendor village, with the company making products for runners, cyclists, hikers, and outdoor athletes worldwide.
• SidascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSidas is the Official Insole Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, providing footcare products including insoles, socks, protective solutions, and footcare creams. The partnership supports athlete comfort and performance across the high-alpine terrain of the event.
• LEKIcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLEKI is the Official Trail Pole Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, a role held since 2016. The German company is the global leader in ski, run, and hike poles, providing essential equipment for the steep alpine terrain of the Ascent (VK) and 46K distances.
• Kodiak Cakessummit partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerKodiak is the Official Pancake & Granola Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, providing nourishing whole-grain products for athlete fueling. The partnership supports the event's aid station and athlete nutrition offerings.
• Neversecondsummit partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerNeversecond is the Official Gel & Bar Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. Founded in 2019 by competitive endurance athletes, Neversecond provides science-backed performance nutrition products (gels and bars) for elite and recreational runners.
• Tailwind Nutritionsummit partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerTailwind Nutrition is the Official Liquid Nutrition Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. Their complete fuel system (steady energy, electrolytes, and hydration in one drink mix) is used by elite athletes including Courtney Dauwalter. The partnership supports athlete hydration and nutrition at aid stations.
• Hydrapaksummit partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerHydrapak is the Official Hydration Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. The company donates a branded Broken Arrow Skyrace aid station cup for every runner in the event as part of a litter-free trail initiative, while providing hydration systems and products.
• YETIsummit partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerYETI is the Official Aid Station Supplier of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, providing virtually indestructible rotomolded coolers for aid station operations across the high-alpine course. YETI coolers are the gold standard for outdoor and endurance event logistics.
• Nomadixsummit partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerNomadix is the Official Towel & Blanket Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, providing versatile, packable outdoor products for athlete use at aid stations, before/after races, and at training runs.
• Arcade Beltssummit partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerArcade is the Official Stretch-Belt Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, providing performance stretch belts for runners and endurance athletes. The brand is known for belts designed to function better, last longer, and provide custom fit.
• Pelotanbasecamp partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPelotan is the Official Sunscreen Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. Trusted by UTMB, Tour de France, IRONMAN, and Olympic champions, Pelotan provides high-performance sport sunscreen designed for endurance athletes who train and race in sun exposure for extended hours.
• Julbobasecamp partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerJulbo is the Official Eyewear Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. Founded in 1888, Julbo provides high-quality sunglasses and lenses for mountain and trail sports, protecting athletes' eyes during high-alpine running.
• Black Diamond Equipmentbasecamp partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Diamond Equipment is the Official Lighting Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. Known for its history in clean climbing ethics and outdoor gear innovation, Black Diamond provides lighting equipment for pre-dawn starts and night running segments.
• Coffeebarbasecamp partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCoffeebar is the Official Coffee Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, providing Italian café-style coffee experiences for runners and spectators at the event. Rooted in traditional Italian coffeebar culture, Coffeebar supports the community gathering aspects of race weekend.
• Belong Wine Companybasecamp partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBelong Wine Company is the Official Wine Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. Founded by Bertus and Alli, who celebrate love, adventure, and exploration, the winery produces Mourvèdre wines from El Dorado County. Founder Bertus has run Broken Arrow and shares the product with the race team.
• Alibi Ale Worksbasecamp partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerAlibi Ale Works is the Official Beer & Sparkling Water Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. The North Lake Tahoe and Truckee brewery operates three public houses and provides post-race beverages for the community gathering atmosphere.
• Best Day Brewingbasecamp partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBest Day Brewing is the Official Non-Alcoholic Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, providing non-alcoholic craft beer options for athletes who want to participate in the social atmosphere without alcohol. The partnership supports the post-run community feed at training runs.
• Boco Gearbasecamp partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBoco Gear is the Official Headwear Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, providing performance headwear designed for endurance athletes. The company also produces custom merchandise including hats for the event.
• Fireside Pizza Companybasecamp partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFireside Pizza Company is the Official Pizza & Pasta Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, providing post-race food for the community gathering atmosphere at Palisades Tahoe.
• Traditional Medicinalsbasecamp partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerTraditional Medicinals is the Official Wellness Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. Founded in 1974 in Northern California, the botanical wellness company provides herbal teas and wellness products supporting athlete recovery and well-being.
• Tahoe Forest Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTahoe Forest Health System is the Official Health & Wellness Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. The not-for-profit rural healthcare system provides 24-hour emergency care, sports medicine, and health services for the Truckee-North Lake Tahoe region, supporting athlete safety and medical operations at the event.
• Neversecondsummit partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerNeversecond is the Official Gel & Bar Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, founded in 2019 by four competitive endurance athletes. All Neversecond products are tested for efficacy and free of banned substances.
• Donner Party Mountain RunnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonner Party Mountain Runners (DPMR) is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit running club based in Truckee, California, founded in 2014 to share the passion for trail running in the Sierra Nevada. The club provides volunteers, community support, and youth coaching for the Broken Arrow Skyrace. Bruna Bradford serves as President of DPMR and as Director of Volunteers for Broken Arrow.
• Tahoe Nordic Search and RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTahoe Nordic Search and Rescue (TNSAR) is a non-profit all-volunteer organization that conducts emergency search and rescue operations in the Sierra Nevada wilderness. TNSAR supports the Broken Arrow Skyrace's safety operations, and team members including Geoff Quine and Ethan Veneklasen volunteer with the organization.
• Tahoe EnduranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTahoe Endurance is a community organization dedicated to coaching, community engagement, and pursuit of excellence in endurance sports in the Tahoe region.
• Boys and Girls Club of North Lake TahoeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe (BGCNLT) supports youth in the community, inspiring and enabling young people to reach their full potential. The Broken Arrow Skyrace designates a portion of proceeds to support BGCNLT as part of its community giving program.
• The Julia R. Millon Scholarship FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Julia R. Millon Scholarship Fund is an annual scholarship created to honor the spirit of Julia Millon, a beloved local runner. The Broken Arrow Skyrace renamed the High Camp aid station to the Julia Millon Memorial Aid Station (JMMAS) and contributes to the scholarship.
• Nomadic Adventure ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Nomadic Adventure Club, established in 2013 on Mount Diablo, is a community organization focused on exploration and adventure for individuals from all walks of life. Part of the Broken Arrow community giving program and Inclusivity Initiative.
• Born to AdaptcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBorn to Adapt, founded by Zach Friedley (Advisory Council member and above-knee limb difference trailblazer), exists to expand societal awareness around disabilities and foster inclusive spaces in the outdoors. Born to Adapt co-developed the Broken Arrow Adaptive Athletes Program in 2025 with Paralympian Dani Aravich, providing 20 guaranteed entries to the 18K race for adaptive runners.
• Tahoe Via Ferrata (Alpenglow Expeditions)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTahoe Via Ferrata, operated by Alpenglow Expeditions (Northern California's only AMGA-accredited guiding service), offers guided assisted rock climbing on the Tram Face at Palisades Tahoe. Broken Arrow participants receive a 15% discount with code BASRVIA26. The partnership extends the adventure experience beyond the race itself.
• MVB CoachingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMVB Coaching, founded by Martin Benes and based in Truckee, California, is the official coaching partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace for 2026. MVB provides pre-built and personalized training plans for Broken Arrow distances, including an 8-week plan ($75) and 12-week plan ($99), plus personalized coaching at three levels. Martin has coached Olympians, Paralympians, and World Cup medalists.
• Run the AlpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRun the Alps is a trail running tour operator offering organized and self-guided tours through the Swiss, French, and Italian Alps. Medical advisor John Anderson serves as the medical advisor for Run the Alps. The partnership connects the Broken Arrow community with European alpine trail running experiences.
• Scott RokiscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerScott Rokis has been the photographer for the Broken Arrow Skyrace since its inception in 2016 and is responsible for livestream production and the entire media team. He transitioned from third-party help to close friend, collaborator, and partner over the years.
• Rendezvusummit partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerRendezvu is the Official Athlete Discovery Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace, connecting athletes, guides, coaches, and outdoor professionals with gear they genuinely use and believe in through a community of trusted expertise and authentic connection.
• Alta Health & Performance SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlta HPS is a science-based physiologic performance testing and endurance coaching business that supports Broken Arrow athletes with performance testing and data-driven training plans. The partnership provides athletes access to specialized sports science services.
• Shokzbasecamp partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerShokz is the Official Audio Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. As a global leader in open-ear audio technology using bone conduction, Shokz provides headphones that keep runners connected to their surroundings while enjoying audio during training and recovery.
• World Mountain Running Association (WMRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Broken Arrow Skyrace is sanctioned under the auspices of the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA), an affiliate of World Athletics. The Ascent and 23K are part of the WMRA World Cup, making the Broken Arrow the only U.S. stop on this international circuit. The 23K serves as the sole selection race for the 2026 USATF Long Mountain Team.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lavaredo Ultra Trail: Italian Dolomites ultra that is part of the UTMB World Series and a comparable alpine destination event. Similar high-mountain technical terrain, international elite field, and four-day festival framing.
• Golden Trail World Series: International trail-running circuit of which Broken Arrow is a 2025 stop. Operates a comparable elite-focused trail race format with prize purses and world rankings; represents both a peer event series and a distribution channel for Broken Arrow's elite field.
• UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc): The world's most prestigious trail-running event series and global reference point. Operates a comparable multi-distance mountain format, has built a global race circuit (UTMB World Series), and represents the upper bound of what a trail-event brand can scale to.
• Hardrock 100: Legendary high-alpine ultramarathon in Colorado, comparable in difficulty, altitude, and elite pedigree. Shares the high-alpine technical course and small-batch destination-event positioning.
• Western States 100: The most prestigious 100-mile ultramarathon in North America, also held in California (Auburn/Squaw Valley historically). Comparable elite trail-running ecosystem, prize purses, and brand cachet in the mountain/ultra/trail (MUT) community.
• Zegama-Aizkorri: Iconic Spanish mountain race also named by Broken Arrow's founders as a direct inspiration. Same model: technical mountain course, elite field, WMRA World Cup stop, festival atmosphere.
• Mammoth Trail Festival: California Sierra-based multi-distance trail running festival at Mammoth Mountain, the closest U.S. geographic competitor with a similar ski-resort venue and multi-distance format. Course director Francesco 'Franc' Sunseri has actually completed Broken Arrow's Triple Crown, evidencing direct cross-pollination.
• The Rut 28K / 50K: Montana-based mountain running event held at Big Sky Resort — same ski-resort alpine venue model as Broken Arrow at Palisades Tahoe. Directly comparable operating playbook (ski-lift access, mountain-course design, festival atmosphere).
• Sierre-Zinal: Iconic Swiss mountain race explicitly named by Broken Arrow's founders as a direct inspiration for the event. Same model: high-alpine point-to-point/up-and-down mountain race, elite-focused, international reputation.

Broad incumbents

• IRONMAN (World Triathlon Corporation): Largest mass-participation endurance event organizer globally, with comparable revenue model (entry fees + sponsorships + spectators) and comparable participant scale (millions globally). Represents the broader incumbent reference point for what an independent endurance event brand could scale into if it pursued M&A or expanded beyond trail.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xyoutube.com/channel/UCkiqAYQkbwGHtsx165Iay4Q
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkiqAYQkbwGHtsx165Iay4Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/The-Broken-Arrow-Skyrace-1661681067437096
• Instagraminstagram.com/brokenarrowskyrace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-broken-arrow-skyrace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 The Broken Arrow Skyrace