Camp Description
The 10th annual Summer Retreat offers the opportunity to meet one of the world’s premier ultra runners in his hometown of Flagstaff, Arizona. This 5-night retreat, the longest of our three offerings, has it all. Experience wonderfully smooth single track, technical running in the pines, the magnificent alpine environment high in the volcanic San Francisco Peaks, the aspen-filled Inner Basin, and heat training over the red rocks of Sedona.
In a small group that allows for generous individual attention, you’ll get to run alongside and learn from Rob in some of his favorite — and most beautiful — places to train. The goal of the retreat is to provide an inspirational, educational, and once-in-a-lifetime running experience unlike anything available in our sport.
*Please note the retreat is reserved for adults 21 years and older. If you will be under 21 at the time of the retreat please send me a message .
RUNNING
The 2025 RKUC Summer Retreat offers guided trail runs over a variety of terrains, distances, and altitudes. The camp will be best experienced by runners who are healthy and in good fitness with some experience training for and running trail races, and/or are interested in learning more about them. Campers DO NOT need to be advanced competitive runners to attend the camp. In fact, our camps are designed for beginner to intermediate experience levels. Guests will be encouraged to run at paces they find comfortable and choose distances each day that best suit their training goals and comfort level. Several guides will accompany each run. If you have any hesitation or question whether you are fit or experienced enough, please message me and let’s chat!
Our runs are designed to accommodate a wide range of goals, distances and paces. All runs are either one way or looped to maximize new terrain. Run distances will vary between 8-11 miles with the option to add additional mileage time permitting. Keep in mind the altitude — from 3500’ in Sedona, to 7000′ in the town of Flagstaff, and higher elevations during several runs in the San Francisco Peaks — mileage during the camp may feel more strenuous than you’re accustomed to, but should not be a discouraging factor to attending. The vast majority of attendees come from sea level with little to no experience running at altitude and experience no issues.
If you think you may not be “good enough” or experienced enough for this retreat, PLEASE send me a message . It is the most common question I receive and never once have I replied “no”. Beginner and intermediate level trail and ultra runners are our ideal guest and have the most to gain.
The retreat is ideally timed training and learning for many summer races and events including:
LODGING
Included in the registration fee, campers will receive four nights accommodation at Embassy Suites by Hilton, which is conveniently located close to many amenities. Check-in time is 4pm and check-out 11am. We have a great relationship with our hotels, and more often than not both early check-in and late check-out are available.
There is a TON to do in Flagstaff and the surrounding area and we’ll only be scratching the surface during the camp. We highly recommend you spend a few extra days before and/or after the camp and take full advantage of your time here — the Grand Canyon is only 90-minutes away! We are able to extend a discounted rate of $174 (which includes taxes) for the three days before and after the retreat.
DINING
Rob and Christina prioritize eating well and meals will certainly be one of the many highlights of the week. Guests will dine at some of Flagstaff’s favorite and top-rated restaurants, as well as joining Rob and Christina for two meals at their home. All meals are included in the registration fee.
TRAVEL
Fly to Phoenix (PHX)
Shuttles are available from the Phoenix airport to Flagstaff departing approximately every 1.5 hours. The “University North” drop-off location is conveniently located close to the hotels and downtown area. Walking, Uber, or cab rides are easy options for the final one mile distance to the hotels. See Groome Transportation
Fly to Flagstaff (FLG)
The Flagstaff airport is small, convenient, and very easy to navigate.
American Airlines
VIDEO
Meet the Team
Rob Krar, Camp Director
After a devastating knee injury in 2017, Rob underwent surgery and extensive rehabilitation that lasted through the spring of 2018. Not sure if he’d ever run again, Rob entered the Leadville Trail 100 Run that August, won by more than hour, and ran the second fastest time ever in the 36 year history of the race . The week prior, he raced his mountain bike in the Leadville Trail 100 MTB and finished a respectable 14 th place. Rob has succeeded in other sports. There was the badminton—yes, badminton—and water polo, followed by a more successful bid at triathlon in high school (he twice represented Canada at the World Championships). He skied for Canada at the Ski Mountaineering World Championships in Italy in 2017 and raced with TNF teammate Mike Foote at the iconic Pierra Menta ski mountaineering race in France the same winter. Most recently he teamed up with Mike once again and set a new Fastest Known Time for the Grand Canyon “r2r2r alt” on the final day of 2020 .
Rob grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, canoeing and cross-country skiing with his family, and gaining an appreciation for nature, conservation, and land protection from an early age. He went on to run cross-country and middle distance at Butler University, but figured that was the end of his running career. Rob spent 13 years as a pharmacist, 12 of them working the graveyard shift. Unhappy and overworked, he moved to Flagstaff in 2006, planning to study for his Canadian board exams and move back to his homeland, but the high desert mountain community convinced Rob to stay, and to get back into running.
The Transrockies Run in 2009 proved to be transformative—Rob met his future wife, Christina, but was also diagnosed with Haglund’s deformity on both of his heels, requiring surgery and two years away from running. In a sport where comebacks are rare, Rob returned to win the 2012 Moab 33K and followed it up with other victories. Rob tried his first 50 miler, the Leona Divide 50, in 2013, then set records for both double and single crossings of the Grand Canyon. When he placed second in his debut at the 100-mile distance at the Western States Endurance Run in 2013 and was named Ultra Runner of the Year, he unofficially launched his ultra running career. The following year, he won three 100-mile races in the span of 11 weeks—Western States, Leadville, and Run Rabbit Run.
Beyond competition, the 42-year-old speaks out on mental health by sharing his experiences in dealing with depression, hoping to raise awareness and reduce stigma, especially among the endurance community. He uses his success in the sport of ultra running as a platform for activism, advocating for the protection of public lands, and shares his expertise through mentoring, coaching, and hosting running camps from his home in Flagstaff.
Accomplishments:
Two-time winner Leadville 100M, 2014 & 2018 Two-time winner Western States Endurance Run, 2014 & 2015 Twice voted Ultra Runner of the Year, Ultrarunning Magazine, 2013 & 2014 Three-time winner TransRockies Run 1st, Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile, 2014 “50 Most Influential People in Running”, Runner’s World Magazine Ultra Runner of the Year, Trail Runner Magazine, 2015 & 2016
Christina Bauer, Camp Director
Christina loves spending time outside exploring the natural world. Her most loved adventures are long days solo or with friends in the high country or the depths of the Grand Canyon. She first fell in love with running as an angsty teen and this love affair has continued for over 20 years. Finding trail running when she settled into a desk job after almost a decade of working in experiential education, she discovered a whole new world on the trails of the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. An infrequent racer she has nonetheless amassed an impressive resume of mountain, trail, and ultra races including Speedgoat 50K, San Juan Solstice 50M, Wasatch 100M, Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji 100M, Run Rabbit Run 100M, High Lonesome 100M, IMTUF 100M and after years of lottery tickets, her ultimate quest, the Hardrock 100M in the summer of 2023.
Christina’s second great love is cooking and through the years she has found more and more joy in creating meals for friends and family. She started experimenting after moving out of the house, and spent much of her 20’s creating good food with good people and honing her ability to serve great food anywhere. She has cooked together in kitchens, on campfires and everywhere in-between. You can look forward to two incredible meals at our home and each of the picnics at the end of our runs to experience Christina’s passion first hand.
Rob Hall, Lead Guide
Rob Hall is one of the most experienced runners in Flagstaff and has been a staple of our camps since the beginning. I could go on and on but suffice it to say Rob has a wealth of running and life experience to share. Simply, we’re honored to call him a friend and so happy he is willing to share his smile and knowledge with all of you. Rob has lived in Flagstaff for decades and roamed the trails not only on foot but also on horseback, and is truly an expert in our local trails and lore. In September 2021, Rob completed the 70 mile “Hole to Hump ” route from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the top of Humphreys Peak in Flagstaff in 23h 48m.
A Typical Day at the RKUC
With so much to explore and experience, there isn’t a typical day at the RKUC! Runs will take place in the mornings and the rest of the day will be balanced between workshops, optional activities, free time and amazing dinners.
Possible activities include but not limited to:
Guest speakers
Active Isolated Stretching workshop
Prehab and performance workshop at Paragon Athletics
Training and racing strategies
Round table discussion and Q&A
Paragon Athletics
I’ve worked closely with Paragon Athletics over the past few years and can confidently say their dedication to health and wellness has allowed me to return to training and racing after a difficult injury curtailed my season in 2015, and guided me back from major knee surgery to win the Leadville 100 just over a year later. We will join Paragon for a few hours one day of the camp, but I’d encourage campers to take advantage of your trip to Flagstaff and extend your stay a day or two to schedule a one-on-one prehab and gait analysis session with Ryan or Laurel, the owners of Paragon Athletics and head trainers. Their facility is located 3 miles from the hotel. The discounted cost for RKUC campers is $200 for a 2-hour session, with other packages available. Appointments are available:
Tuesday July 15th
Wednesday July 16th
Thursday July 17th
Tuesday July 22nd
Wednesday July 23rd
What is Prehab?
“Prehab is a focus on improving body biomechanics through strength, range of motion and tissue management. Prehab begins with identifying any subtle or hidden deficits in movement patterns. A targeted prehab program will prevent injury and allow an athlete consistent training, making way for the opportunity to push their limits to realize their athletic potential. Prehab is built on the notion that the movement assessments typically used in a physical therapy setting post-injury should be used in a training setting pre-injury.
Gait is the mother of all prognostic tools. Gait analysis is a great first step in identifying your deficits that your prehab program will be built upon. A comprehensive knowledge of biomechanics and keen eye for nuance and subtlety in movement is paramount in creating a successful and rewarding prehab program.
Injuries happen over a long period of compensation not just in one day. When a person driving their car has a tire blow out, that tire did not pop randomly. Perhaps the alignment was off in their car causing an irregular wear pattern. Unbeknownst to the driver, the small, constant wearing caused the tire to eventually give out. It was the subtle and gradual deterioration of the tire that led to the eventual demise of the system. Simply put, prehab is about being proactive not reactive.” ‑ Ryan Whited, owner & head trainer at Paragon Athletics
What to Expect from Your Appointment
The Paragon Athletics premise of training is a focus on improving body biomechanics through strength, range of motion and tissue management. Our prehab style of training works by first identifying subtle deficits in your gait and movement patterns as prognostic tools to foresee leaks of potentiality or injury to come. Then working off the physical therapy standards that are typically used for rehab, building a program to better equip your body for optimized efficiency and injury prevention to allow you consistent and improved training.
You will leave your session with:
Biomechanical assessment with prognostic insights into your gait mechanics.
Treadmill video of gait.
A strong understanding of how your gait mechanics affect your efficiency.
An exercise list for your specific biomechanical needs and long term injury prevention.
Testimonials
“I went into camp a woman with very little trail running experience filled with anxiety at the thought of running alongside a world class athlete who had vast trail running experience. Not to mention that I thought I was going to be one of the only women at the camp. The anxiety quickly dissipated when Rob described the plan for the camp (running, eating, talking, fun) and then introduced the special guests who would be joining us along the way. Not only were they amazing, elite female runners, but they both made me feel so comfortable that it felt like I was running with old friends. In my opinion, and this may sound odd for a running camp, but the runs were just a small and amazing part of the adventure. The runs were much less stressful than I had thought when I signed up for “Ultra” camp. When I saw “Ultra” in the description, I thought we would be running very long distances all day long, but I was wrong. The runs were manageable distances for all experience levels. All the guides were so fantastic and supportive during each run. They would run with you when you wanted to run and were just as happy to walk next to you every step of the way if you preferred, all the while sharing their knowledge about running and the local community. There was no judgement and no pressure by anyone at any point. The experience was yours to make of it what you wanted, and the guides were there to support you and ensure that you had a fantastic time.
Experiencing this adventure with other campers who shared a similar passion for running and getting to know them on a personal level during our runs, meals and downtime has left a lasting impression on me. Now when I hear “Ultra”, it will remind me of the over the top experience I had at the Rob Krar Ultra Camp.” Ida-Lina – Gaithersburg, MD. Fall 2018
“I’ve been a huge fan of Rob’s for years, and being a runner it was natural that I’d want to attend his camp. My only regret was that I waited so long to sign up, but I did, finally. I was so excited to sign up, and meet and run with this talented man. Walking into the kickoff meeting I was nervous, I mean, what do I say to a legend in our sport. I said what I felt, that it was a pleasure meeting Rob, and he instantly puts your nerves to rest with his smile and demeanor. Rob was everything I hoped, friendly, down to earth, and very humbled.
The rest of the camp was a dream. We ran in magnificent places, each with its own personality and postcard flavor of beauty. I was never disappointed. Our guides were Rob’s closest friends, and that was really special too. The whole camp truly revolved being brought into Rob’s world. Going to his home for dinners, meeting and running with Christina (Rob’s wife), and hearing about his personal triumphs and challenges were more than I ever expected.
I ended up leaving the camp felt like I had known Rob and these great folks, including the other campers, for years! It was that special. If you are thinking about signing up, do it ! Don’t wait years like I did, since you are only putting off this priceless event that much longer.” Bob Alexander – Melbourne, FL. Fall 2018
“Attending the Rob Krar Ultra Camp (RKUC) was something I knew I wanted to do. My fear, however, was that I wasn’t qualified. I was just a mediocre road runner and ultra trail runner wannabe. I fully expected the camp to be geared to elite runners, well beyond my abilities. Boy was I wrong. From the second I met Rob and the other campers, I knew I’d made the right decision. Put quite simply, I felt at home and among family.
You will feel better about yourself when you finish the RKUC. The time you spend on the trails with some of the most amazing and experienced trail guides in the business, the time you spend in small groups sharing stories about your successes and failures (and sometimes even crying), and the time you spend one-on-one with Rob and his amazingly awesome wife and runner, Christina, will change you. That may sound cliché, but it couldn’t be more true. Find out for yourself. Take that next step. Become the runner and person you want to be. Sign up for the RKUC!” Joe – Warrensburg, Missouri. Fall 2018
“I arrived at the RKUC 2017 summer camp a bit nervous, not quite knowing what to expect as I’ve never been to a running camp before (I’m still a newbie when it comes to ultra running), but it didn’t take long for me to realize that this camp is something special. Rob and Christina added a lot of personal touches to this camp which truly made it a memorable experience – everything from inviting us into their home for a lovely welcome and farewell dinner to making an effort to run and connect with each participant every day – The running locations were spectacular with different distances and difficulty options to meet each participant’s ability and expectations, and the picnics at the end of every run were definitely one of the highlights each day – cold drinks and beer, a delicious spread and even impromptu guitar performances by some of the amazing volunteers and guides. Rob’s generous sponsors also spoiled us with a truckload of awesome swag! All and all this the camp was a five star experience. The camp group was also amazing, I made a whole bunch of new friends. I enjoyed the camp so much that I’m heading back for the fall camp in October to experience it all over again!” Tia – Road Town, British Virgin Islands. Summer 2017
“Rob’s camp transported me from a mom of three young daughters to an athlete training with the professional and elite. The experience was unheralded and Rob and his team meticulously covered every aspect of camp with challenging and breathtaking runs, great food, and a team of guides that inspired me to run harder and to be a better person in a life. Maybe it was because it was the weekend of the Grammy awards, but Flagstaff and Rob Krar really rolled out the red carpet for us! Thank you!” Patty – Bellevue, WA
“If you enjoy trail running then attending the Rob Krar Ultra Camp should be #1 on your bucket list. From Rob and Christina’s warmth, hospitality and friendship, to running world class scenic trails with Rob, Christina and their friends, to amazing post run picnics, to inspirational afternoon guest speakers and ending with wonderful dinner get togethers, there is not a minute of each and every day that you won’t enjoy. I cannot think of any running experience I have had over the last decade that comes close to the pure enjoyment and inspiration that I found at this year’s RKUC. Thank you Rob, Christina, Mike, Sara, AJW, Shannon and all your friends for all you did for me and those that attended this year’s RKUC.” Steve – Buckhorn, Ontario
“I signed up to do the RKUC for very selfish reasons. I just started to trail run more seriously 7 months before arriving the the camp and wanted to improve on my running and ask Rob every question I could about his experience with running. Little did I know what I really signed up for. I walked out of this camp a better person and gaining a new family of friends. Flagstaff is one of the most beautiful places on the earth and getting to see everything that I did was remarkable. Rob and his crew did a fantastic job at planning every detail, and I mean EVERY detail. From the newsletters, the first day’s meeting, to the food, to the trips and dinners, and being VERY accommodating to every ones needs with traveling and food restrictions. His sponsors were very gracious to us and supported our trip with the best swag. The crew and volunteers did a fantastic job at spreading themselves out amongst all the paces for running and shared their experiences in not only their running history but their life. This was an experience of a lifetime. It’s more than a running camp. Did I learn more about running and did I get to run every day? Of course! Did I think I was going to walk away a better person? No, but I did. You’ll get to meet literally the coolest, most down to earth best runners who are excited to be sharing this week with you. Soak it all in.” Jessica – Roseville, CA
“How does one adequately describe the Rob Krar camp? For me, this experience was life changing. The last four and half years have been roller coaster of events for me. Between both parents passing away and going through a divorce after 19 years I turned to running to cope. Running saved my life but trail running put me on the right path. Every day was spectacular but climbing to 12000 feet was truly the highlight for me. The camp should also be titled a food camp. The food was just phenomenal. Outside of the awesome couple of Rob and Christina, the friends and family that support the camp is mind boggling. Not only do you get to run with some of the best athletes in the world you also get to connect with some of the best people in the world. The friendships I have made while attending this camp will last a lifetime. So much I have plans with some of the campers to do a 6 day stage race called TransRockies. Of the many great speeches during the camp one of them that was given really moved me; “With patience persistence and faith one can accomplish many things…. even change the world. There are so many amazing things that I could say about this camp that it is difficult to condense them into a few sentences. Rob has my contact information and I would love to share my experience with anyone if you have questions about the camp. I will never be able to repay the experience that I had at the Rob Krar camp as it was beyond words. Just try to pay it forward.” Lanier – Birmingham, AL
“I am very fortunate that my employer, The San Francisco Marathon, sent me to the Rob Krar Ultra Camp in the effort to continuing my education as a running coach for their training program. What I have learned and experienced at Rob’s camp has far surpassed any expectations I held previous. I expected to learn how to be a better runner, but came away with so much more. Although I did come back a better runner, I didn’t expect to progress in such an intimate and inspiring environment, which Rob’s camp offered. While running with Rob Krar and Stephanie Howe-Violett, they answered my questions and shared their experiences and techniques. I took in what they said, processed it, and returned the next day with follow up questions. How cool is that? Stephanie also gave an amazing presentation about nutrition for endurance athletes, followed by a Q & A session. I cannot overstate the amazing runs that Rob and Mike planned. Not only were they beautiful and challenging, but Rob made sure that the all runners felt completely supported. There were guides from the Flagstaff running community that were immensely friendly and supportive. The schedule was precise, yet flexible so that we never felt rushed nor bored. Each of group runs accommodated all levels of runners at the camp; everyone was a part of the group. Thanks to the Rob Krar Ultra Camp, I have learned a lot about running, strength training, stretching, and nutrition to rely back to my trainees. Further, I returned with a lot of newfound love for trail running. Being at the Rob Krar Ultra Camp reminded me of why trail running is such a huge part of my life: the people we meet, and the places we go.” Erica – Hayward, CA
“Attending Rob Krar Ultra Camp has been one of the best decisions I’ve made not only in regards to my running career but also my life in general. Everything was perfectly coordinated from the second I stepped foot off the plane in Flagstaff. The hotel was centrally located so taking a walk into town and visiting local coffee shops, restaurants, and stores was a breeze. It was an awesome way to get a taste of the Flagstaff community as a whole. Every person who helped with camp activities was absolutely spectacular. I met some of the nicest and most genuine people during my week stay at camp. The runs themselves were spectacular. The guides promised they would get better each day and they did not disappoint! We managed to do everything from hitting 12,000 ft peaks to running through a beautiful aspen forest. On top of having these mind blowing runs we also met runners like Chris Vargo, Stephanie Howe, Ian Torrence, and Andy Jones-Wilkins. I have absolutely every intention of returning to camp next year and hope to see the amazing friends I made this year for round two of Rob Krar Ultra Camp!” Kaitlyn – Brighton, MA
“Sure, I’m inspired to improve and go longer, but more importantly, I’m driven to be healthier, have more balance, learn patience, appreciate what’s around me, and give back to this awesome community. Who would have thought a week at ‘running camp’ could have such a profound impact?” Taylor – Washington D.C.
“The fall retreat exceeded every expectation I had. I arrived needing a good break from work and looking forward to a chance to explore the Flagstaff area, spend time with like-minded folks, and learn from the best. Of course the trails and runs were spectacular, especially in the height of fall colors, but what I didn’t anticipate was the incredible warmth, generosity and graciousness of our hosts: Rob, Christina, and the guides that joined us each day of the camp. Everyone involved in the camp was invested in our experience, and their effort showed in the individual attention we received, the care and time they spent preparing fantastic meals, their flawless logistics and execution, the amazing support from the sponsors, and most importantly, in the relationships they helped to foster. Rob, Christina and their crew have created a very comfortable and supportive environment that enabled each of us to get what we needed from our time at the camp. I have recommended the retreat to every one of my running friends and would not hesitate to attend again. Great job!” Chad ‑ Richland, WA
“What a magical experience! The surroundings were breathtaking. Each run had amazing guides to ensure runners followed the trails and were happy and safe along the way. Post-run picnics where you could savor the run, enjoy camaraderie amongst fellow campers and guides, and eat yummy food. Dinner and drinks every night at Flagstaff’s best restaurants and at Rob’s home. We were well fed campers! The hotel was a great place to rest in between runs and events/dinners with full breakfast every morning. Plenty of time to connect with fellow campers! Couldn’t have dreamt up a better trip and experience! Thank you so much to Rob and friends!” Jamie ‑ Fort Mill, SC
Cost
$2525/person for private room
$2275/person for shared room*
A non-refundable deposit of $200 due at registration.
For monthly payment plans, any remaining balances will be automatically billed on June 19th, four weeks prior to the start of the retreat. If registering after June 19th, full payment is required.
*During registration we will ask if you are interested in sharing a room with a pre-determined roommate or one that we may be able to pair you with. Once your roommate is confirmed, we will refund the $250 difference for a shared room.
COST INCLUDES
Five nights accommodation at Embassy Suites by Hilton , checking in Thursday July 17th and checking out Tuesday July 22nd.
All meals (excluding alcohol at restaurants) beginning with dinner on Thursday to breakfast on Tuesday.
Transportation beginning Thursday evening until Monday evening.
Generous gear and swag from several of Rob’s sponsors and supporters including The North Face & Smartwool .
The final camp activity is dinner at our home on Monday the 21st and accommodation + breakfast extends to Tuesday the 22nd with check-out at 11am.
Once-in-a-lifetime experience running the mountains of Flagstaff and the red rocks of Sedona.
WAITLIST
To allow us to provide an intimate and personal experience to every guest, the 2025 RKUC Summer Retreat will be limited to 11 guests. Registration requests after the retreat reaches capacity will be placed on a waitlist in case of cancellations.
REFUND POLICY
While deposits are non-refundable, if your plans change and you won’t be able to join us after you’ve registered, let us know as soon as possible and we’ll be happy to refund any payments made, MINUS the $200 non-refundable deposit, up until June 26th 2025.
**PLEASE NOTE THAT NO REFUNDS, TRANSFERS, OR CREDITS WILL BE ACCOMMODATED AFTER June 26th 2025, THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE RETREAT**
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We HIGHLY recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip as no refunds, transfers, or credits will be made after June 26th, 2025, three weeks prior to the start of the camp. You can compare policies and costs for various providers at Squaremouth and Insuremytrip .
CANCELLATION POLICY
We reserve the right to cancel the camp due to circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to natural disasters, forest fires, forest closures, pandemic and epidemic. In this rare case payments will be refunded, including the $200 non-refundable deposit.
We reserve the right to cancel the camp if 6 or fewer registrants are received by June 19th 2025, four weeks prior to the start of camp. In this unlikely case all payments including the $200 deposit will be refunded. Please keep this in mind when planning and booking travel. We will notify you as soon as this threshold is met.
