Aravaipa’s Next Stop: Tennessee

Announced today via Instagram:

[Bad Beard Events] is officially joining Aravaipa Running!

This series has been the heart of Chattanooga trail running since Stump Jump and River Gorge were founded in 2001. Ginny Smith, who has directed these races for almost a decade, is staying on as Series Director to keep leading the way alongside the same local crew and volunteers.

The races, the trails, and the traditions aren’t changing. Our goal is to keep the unique character of these seven events while elevating the runner experience, all while continuing Bad Beard’s commitment to the local non-profits that protect Chattanooga’s backyard.

The Aravapia expansion continues. All jokes about monopolies and comparisons to UTMB have already been made. What I wonder: what’s the draw here? For years US race directors have been operating proudly as independent entities, building their statewide race series and happily operating on their own. Now this nationwide consolidation is happening. And there’s only one player being able to take advantage of it all: Aravaipa. I wonder what this says about the financial viability of the events space of our trail running ecosystem.