Trail Running Camps, Estes Park, CO – 2016
Trail Running has become our passion – the Estes Park area is an incredible area for trail running; challenging, inspiring and breathtaking. Miles of trails with choices varying from easy to extremely challenging. This is a runner’s paradise, with over 300 days a year of sunshine, clean clear air, and majestic views pretty much whichever way you look.
Active at Altitude is delighted to announce a series of Trail Running Camps with some of the USA’s top trail running experts working with you to educate, challenge & inspire. Trail Running is a rapidly growing sport, and we are excited to be a small part of developing this noble art. We will take you to places you have never dreamed of, where you will find that you can achieve far more than you thought you could…Many runners come with an expectation that trail running will be too hard for them – the reality is that it is challenging; however the mental, and spiritual benefits far outweigh the physical challenges, and it takes us back to a natural environment where we can feel more at home. If you have never been to a Trail Running Camp before and don’t know what to expect, here is a great article written by Diana Norcross after her experience at our April 2011 camp!
Trail Running in the USA has grown rapidly, especially during recent years, and is poised to become the number 1 participation outdoor sport in the USA in the near future. Much of this I think has to do with a basic human need for experiences where we can connect with our environment across as many of our senses as possible. Road running has many merits, and has been the initial leader in the running boom – there is however nothing like the connection you can achieve on a trail, being so close to the natural world rather than shielded and insulated by bricks and concrete. I loved running roads, on trails I feel truly ALIVE!
Camp dates
Spring camp – May 19 – 22 – with Nancy Hobbs – Executive Director of American Trail Running Association
Come and enjoy beautiful Spring trail running in Estes Park – we invite you to come and be inspired by amazing trails, magnificent scenery and clean, clear air. Be inspired by the snow capped Rockies with maybe even a dusting on the trails as well.
Fall camp – September 15 – 18 – with Nancy Hobbs – Executive Director of American Trail Running Association
Fall is a beautiful time in Estes Park and the Rocky Mountains. Glorious colors, cooler days and clear trails before the snows we are expecting arrive! See glorious autumn glow skies!
Special offer!
Register for one of our 2016 trail running camps on or before January 31, 2016, and receive a free Orange Mud hand held bottle. This will not only help you prepare for camp, and be really useful during, it will last you and keep you hydrated for years!
Who are these camps for?
Our camps are for both beginner and more experienced trail runners. We give you tools to either start your trail running career, or kick start a renewed love for trail running if that’s what you are looking for. We recommend that runners attending our camps can already at least a 10K distance on roads at 10 min / mile pace or faster (at home elevation).
What do camps include?
Each camp includes accommodation (2 runners per room sharing in a double room – 4 in bunk room – single room options available), all meals, water and juices, all sessions, group transport, towels, bedding. Food will be primarily vegetarian..special diets can be catered for. Camps start at 4.00 pm the first day, and finish at 12.00 pm on the last day. Interactive workshop sessions will cover trail running techniques, etiquette, gear, form, nutrition, hydration, etc.
Each camp includes the following:
- trail runs of varying length and intensity
- uphill & downhill techniques
- hiking
- stretching
- running form and injury prevention
- video review of running technique
- a signed copy of the “Ultimate Guide to Trail Running” by Nancy Hobbs & Adam Chase
- and much more!
Here is a typical day’s schedule:
- 7.00 am Light breakfast
- 7.30 am Trail form and drills – group trail run
- 11.00 am Brunch
- 12.00 pm Rest & relaxation
- 1.00 pm Workshop on running form
- 2.00 pm Light lunch
- 3.00 pm Hike or recovery run
- 5.00 pm Trail 101 including trail etiquette
- 6.30 pm Dinner
- 7.30 pm Inspirational video
Rates
The rate for all camps are as follows:
| Accommodation type | Rate | Number available |
|---|---|---|
| Single room & private bath | $750 | 1 |
| Single room & shared bath | $700 | 2 |
| Double room & shared bath | $600 | 2 |
| Bunk room & shared bath | $550 | 4 |
Travel
The nearest airport is Denver International (DIA) – the airport is a 1.5 hour drive away from Estes Park. We provide transport during the camp, so you don’t need to bring your own. We recommend a local shuttle service that can pick you up at DIA, and drop you at the camp door here in Estes Park. They will also make the same run in reverse at camp end. To arrive in time for camp start, use the 1.00 pm shuttle from DIA. For return to DIA, use the 1.00 pm shuttle again. The round trip charge is $85 per person. See more details and to book at Estes Park Shuttle.
To register
Once you have selected which of the camp options fits your goals and schedule, click on the link below for that camp. You will then be taken to the registration page for the camp you selected.
Note that 50% of camp cost is due at time of registration. Balance of camp cost is due on or before the 10th of the month preceding camp start date, as follows:
Spring camp – balance due April 10, 2016
Fall camp – balance due August 10, 2016
See our cancellation policy for these camps at this link.
Coaching staff
Camp Director is Terry Chiplin, fitness and life coach, and owner of Active at Altitude. Terry has over 20 years experience working and inspiring athletes of all abilities, from Olympic marathoner to a runner completing their first 5K! Terry has also been a coach for Revolution Running based in Boulder. See more about Terry here. The camp is led by Nancy Hobbs, inspirational trail runner, holder of multiple age group race titles, CE of ATRA (American Trail Running Association), and co-author of The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running (with Adam Chase).
We are often fortunate to have guest star athletes come and join us for runs, workshops, or maybe both…keep an eye on our news section for updates on who will be joining us for your camp! 2015 guest athletes included Sage Canaday & Melody Fairchild
Cute puppy warning!
Just to let you know that we have just recently added (November 2015) a very cute Border Collie / Aussie mix puppy to the coaching team – Coco will be a part of the camp, although won’t be able to join us on the runs as he will be too young, and many of the runs take place in RMNP, where dogs aren’t allowed on trails. He is super cute, and great company! We know you’ll enjoy having him be around!
Trail Running Conference
We love Trail Running so much, we brought the first ever Trail Running Conference to Estes Park in 2013 – the fourth annual event takes place September 28 – October 1, 2016, at the historic Stanley Hotel, in downtown Estes Park! The event features sessions for both Trail Race Directors and Trail Runners, with an expo, demo products, interactive workshops, speaker panels. We look forward to seeing you there!