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In other states, going out with your gal pals means sipping wine at a vineyard, gossiping over brunch, or dancing to Doja Cat in a nightclub. But in Colorado, a GNO often looks more like gabbing during a lunch run or a post-work hike.
It only makes sense, then, that a Coloradan is the mastermind behind Run Wild Retreats, a company centered around women-only running travel experiences. Founded by Carbondale local Elinor Fish in 2010 and taken over by Denverite Heather Marsh last year, Run Wild Retreats brings likeminded women together to explore the world on foot, all while nurturing their mental and physical wellbeing through mindful running practices.

“A lot of the women who join haven’t taken time away from their day-to-day lives in years,” Marsh says. “Every vacation is with the family or a work trip or whatever. So it’s the first time they’ve ever traveled alone and had time to actually reflect.”
And they seem to enjoy the change of pace: 35 percent of Run Wild Retreats guests are returning customers. If running through Bhutan’s rice paddy terraces, along Catalonia’s Costa Brava, and up Ireland’s iconic Cliffs of Moher sounds like your idea of self-care, we think we’ve discovered your dream vacation.
How Run Wild Retreats Work
You don’t need to be the next Courtney Dauwalter to enjoy a Run Wild Retreat. Experiences are offered in three levels, each catered to different paces, mileage, and technicality. Level-one retreats are for those just starting to find their stride or runners coming back from an injury. Distances tend to fall within three to six miles, and the terrain is usually less technical with smaller elevation changes.
Level-two trips are designed for folks who can comfortably log eight miles on the road. Daily runs cover between three and nine miles, usually at a 12-minute pace. “There are definitely some that are going to do it faster and some that are going to do it slower,” Marsh says. “This is a place for you to reset and unplug. It’s not a time for you to be hitting PRs and measuring your splits.” Level-two routes often include rocky sections and require more nimble footwork than a level-one.
Seasoned trail runners will likely find their people on a level-three retreat. Attendees tackle between four and 10 miles of challenging singletrack daily. Sometimes these are point-to-point routes, like running from one village to another in the Italian Dolomites.

No matter which level you land in, you’ll share the retreat with eight to 12 other women. Don’t expect to pop in your headphones and blast Sabrina Carpenter’s new album; Run Wild has a presence policy that asks attendees to leave their watches at home and keep their phones in airplane mode during runs. Throughout the trip, your retreat leader will coach you on form, mindset for attacking challenging sections, and pacing.
Once you’ve picked your squad, you’ll need to choose where you want to log your miles. Run Wild hosts retreats as close as Moab and as far away as Vietnam, with a variety of options in between. In 2026, runners will have 11 new destinations to choose from, including Norway, Thailand, Greece, and Patagonia.
“It’s a great way to see a country because we really try to get you out of the tourist area,” Marsh says. “The trails might have a lot of people on them, but we’re going to go far enough to get away from those people and really get you an experience that you couldn’t drive to in a car—the only way to see it is to hike or run there.”
So, Is It Just Running?
Even the most avid athlete needs a break from pounding the pavement every once in a while. That’s why each retreat incorporates time for exploring the area on your own, enjoying meals with other women in your group, and immersing yourself in the region’s culture. On the new Thailand trip, runners visit an elephant sanctuary. The Vietnam itinerary includes a trot through a village with lunch in a local family’s home. Runners on the Ireland trip receive a blessing from a local priest.

“We try to add—especially on the international retreats—elements like that, that you couldn’t get on your own,” Marsh says. “It really exposes you to locals and introduces you to the culture and what makes those destinations unique.”
Since acquiring Run Wild Retreats, Marsh has also expanded the company’s non-running offerings; in 2026, participants can select hiking and multisport retreats. “It’s for people that still want the community, still want the escape, still want the adventure, but don’t want to run six days in a row,” Marsh says. Instead, itineraries will be filled with activities like guided mindful hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, ziplining, and other adventures specific to the region. The first multisport retreats will be held in New Zealand, Slovenia, Norway, Patagonia, the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, and Yosemite.
What’s Included?

The cost of a retreat generally includes the accommodations, most meals, activities, ground transportation, local professional trail-running guides, custom souvenirs, and wellness workshops. But you’ll have to take care of your flight, alcoholic beverages, and guide gratuities. Stateside retreats start around $2,995 (four-day Moab Level 1 Mindful Running), while the international destinations start at $5,495 (seven-day Ireland Level 2).
Besides the scenery, run coaching, and otherwise unforgettable experiences, Marsh says, one of the most alluring aspects of a Run Wild Retreat getaway is that you don’t have to plan anything. “We try to set it up so that you don’t have to think,” Marsh says. “The biggest decision you have to make is what you’re gonna pick off the menu for dinner.”