The Flyathlon is a multi-sport event that integrates three activities that are surging in popularity; trailrunning, fly fishing, and craft beer. While many enjoy these activities independently, we have found over the years that putting them together is even more enjoyable. Simply put, many of the best and most beautiful places to fish are way back in the woods, and the quickest way to get back to these remote places to maximize fishing time is to trail run. And once you have run back from that mountain lake or stream (or while you are there…), all of that effort is rewarded with high quality, local craft beer.
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• Giving Back: The overwhelming majority of funds raised by our Flyathletes through each Flyathlon event are specifically targeted towards habitat improvement and reclamation projects benefitting the fish species native to the greater watershed in which the events are held.  We get this important work done by collaborating with our many conservation partners, which include Federal agencies (e.g. National Park Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service), State agencies (e.g. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Iowa Department of Natural Resources), and other 501(c)(3) organizations (e.g. Western Native Trout Initiative, Trout Unlimited).
• Inclusivity: The Flyathlon is designed to be largely inclusive as opposed to truly competitive.  To the newbie, both the sports of trail running and fly fishing (and even craft beer, for that matter) can seem very exclusive and even pretentious, and this perception limits their desire to engage in these outdoor activities. The Flyathlon seeks to break down those barriers through accessible events that create positive and fishy outdoor experiences and memories. It is our hope that through this type of exposure, we can create new outdoor advocates, new river warriors.
• Community Involvement: The Flyathlon actively seeks out local community involvement in our events, and explicitly encourages race participants to spend additional time and money in the host region after each event.
• Responsible Recreation: The Flyathlon is designed specifically to promote responsible fishing practices and trail habits. On the fishing side of the event, all events are 100% catch-and-release fishing using only fishing methods approved for that specific area, On the trail running side of the event, race rules explicitly highlight proper trail etiquette (e.g. no short-cutting, Leave No Trace principles).  Additionally, we firmly believe that recreationists need to be a part of the solution for stewardship of our natural resources, and that the best way to ensure the preservation, protection, and maintenance of our irreplaceable lands, waters, and native species is to develop and foster the citizen stewards who will stand up in their defense! 
• Fun: While all of that other stuff is super important to us, it is important to stress that the Flyathlon is designed to be a ton of fun!  But don’t just take our word for it…
  
  

If you want to learn more about each of our Flyathlon events, please see the links below.  And for more information on how Running Rivers has used the Flyathlon to advance conservation, please download this two page Flyathlon summary.

Finally, if you are interested in developing a Flyathlon for the benefit of conservation in your neck of the woods, please contact us and we can explore further!

Western North Carolina Flyathlon
Near Saluda, NC
Every April / May (cancelled in 2025 due to catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene)

NASCARP- Davis Ponds Cup
Staunton State Park, Pine, CO
Every May / June

Vermejo Park Flyathlon
Vermejo Park Ranch, NM
​New in July 2025!

Middle Creek Flyathlon
Saguache, Colorado
Every July / August

Lake Fork Flyathlon
Gunnison, Colorado
Every September

Driftless Flyathlon
Harpers Ferry, Iowa
Every September / October (taking a break in 2025, back in 2026!)

run. fish. beer.