Since 1975, Marathon Sports has been the epicenter of all things New England trail running. From our rugged New England trail races to our scenic trail running field trips to our wide collection of trail running and hiking shoes, our team is committed to helping you get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.
Trail running has seen a huge surge in recent years, and at Marathon Sports, we’re honored to be a part of the journey as athletes look for their perfect first trail shoe, uncover new trails, and reach new limits on tough terrain.
So we wanted to celebrate trail running and bring together athletes of all ages, experience levels, and paces. With this goal in mind, we partnered with Craft for Dirt Camp – three days of guided trail runs, training clinics, relaxation, recovery, and lots of other exciting camp activities.
The inaugural Marathon Sports Dirt Camp took place from September 17th to September 20th on a scenic lakeside in the Berkshires, and we’re already counting down the days until we can do it all again next year.
As we look back at all the fun we had and everything we learned from Dirt Camp, we wanted to highlight some of our favorite activities and camp highlights so you can join us in eagerly awaiting Dirt Camp 2027.
If you have questions about Dirt Camp, want to reflect on your time from this past session, or want to know what to expect when registering, you’re in the right place. Here’s a rundown of some of our favorite moments and highlights from Marathon Sports Dirt Camp.
Guided Trail Runs on Mt. Greylock
No surprise, some of our favorite Dirt Camp moments were the shared miles, support, and camaraderie out on the trails.
After arriving, every camper was outfitted with Craft Xplor Pro trail running shoes, custom-printed hoodies, and running socks. With the right gear, everyone was ready to take on the scenic Mt. Greylock trails.
The best part about Dirt Camp is that you don’t need to be an expert trail runner to take part and enjoy all the trails the Berkshires have to offer. People of all experience levels – from complete novice trail runners to experienced trail runners – came together to participate in shared trail miles. With over 200 participants, nearly every pace and experience level was represented.
Double run sessions throughout the day included both technical trail and gravel loops, so you could demo your new Craft shoes on all surfaces. On the second day, one run even ended up at a waterfall for a refreshing dip after logging some miles.
We didn’t let rain stop our fun on the first and last day of Dirt Camp, but on the two full days, it was nothing but blue skies and perfect running weather, letting us take in the Berkshires’ unbeatable early fall foliage.
Classic Camp Activities
Trail running made up a chunk of the weekend, but there was also plenty of time to have fun and partake in classic camp activities around the campsite.
The campground is situated on a lake, so during downtime, you could swim, canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or just relax on the shore with a book or your new friends. There was also tie-dyeing, so you could create a custom Dirt Camp souvenir. And all these activities were completely optional, so you could personalize each day to create your perfect camp weekend.
The trail runs themselves weren’t competitive – no one was racing or trying to break a PR while exploring the trails. But that didn’t mean there weren’t activities that let competitive spirits shine. Camp Olympics featured some friendly competition with a tug of war, egg-and-spoon race, and even a beer relay.
Expert-Led Training Sessions
In between trail runs and games, participants could learn and grow their trail running expertise with a series of expert-led sessions.
Renowned endurance athletes Tommy Rivs and David Laney offered inspiring Q&A sessions. Sports psychologist Dr. Megan Cannon gave Dirt Camp athletes some key insights on mental wellness and training, and nutritionist Erin Sparrold highlighted performance nutrition information to help everyone feel their best on every run.
From complete trail running beginners to the most experienced athletes in attendance, everyone left feeling motivated and ready to take on new trails and challenges.
Relaxation and Recovery
One of the main goals of Dirt Camp was to help you relax and recharge. So along with the two trail runs a day, there was plenty of downtime to help you focus on recovery and relaxation.
The trail running was a major highlight, but the downtime and relaxation, surrounded by a lake and beautiful scenery, was one of our other favorite aspects of the weekend. Guided group Zumba and yoga classes focused on restoration after time spent out on the trails. A sauna and cold plunge were also available to help you recover and unwind, both mentally and physically.
Shared food, coffee, and meals brought everyone together, creating the opportunity to sit together and relax after days jam-packed with running and other camp activities. Cloudline tea was also available to help everyone stay energized and balanced throughout the day.
Bonding & Building Connections
The running community is truly one of a kind, and nothing emphasized this point more than a weekend at Dirt Camp. Over 200 people, from 26 states and 3 countries, came together to share in their love of trail running, hiking, and adventuring.
On Saturday night, a Disco-themed party had everyone dressing up, dancing, and celebrating all the one-of-a-kind experiences and challenges Dirt Camp had to offer. It’s not often you get to be completely surrounded by people who share in the joy of trail running and being outside, but Dirt Camp gave us that unforgettable opportunity.
Every day, different activities let us connect and bond with other runners. We grew closer out on the trails, relaxed and made s’mores around the campfire, and bonded over live music and karaoke. As one participant stated at the end of the weekend, “Dirt Camp is one of those experiences that changes you. I ran. I climbed. I learned. I laughed. I pushed myself. And I got to spend a few days surrounded by people who completely understand this crazy thing we do…I felt like I found my people”.
Final Thoughts: Join Us for Dirt Camp 2027!
There’s nothing like being a part of a trail running community, connecting with nature, and exploring new places. Dirt Camp let us do all of this and more, providing a one-of-a-kind adult trail running camp experience for athletes. Between the stunning group trail runs, inspiring sessions, and all the other camp activities, Dirt Camp combined hard work, play, and relaxation for an unforgettable weekend.
We’re already looking forward to making our way back to Camp Taconic for 2027. Early bird pricing is live now, so secure your spot in this meaningful, community-centered camp experience.
And if you don’t want to wait that long, Marathon Sports offers other fantastic opportunities to get outside and connect with your local running community. Hit the road with our scheduled group runs, or get away from the concrete and join us for a trail run field trip.
And if you have any questions about the best trail running shoes, local courses, or anything else road- or trail-related, we’ve got your back. We’re here to answer any questions, offer gear and shoe recommendations, and help you find local trail or road running events. No matter where your runs take you, we can’t wait to be a part of your running experience.
