How Do I Choose the Best Running Camp?

Choosing the best running camp starts with evaluating your own running skills and determining what your goals are for attending the camp. A facility that is perfect for one runner may not be the best choice for another, especially if the running camp is intended for beginners and you are an advanced runner, or vice versa. Be sure to do plenty of research into each camp offering to ensure it will suit your needs, it will give you plenty of time to develop new skills, and it will be taught by experienced runners with strong resumés.

Read any bios posted on websites or promotional materials. All running camp instructors or leaders should have plenty of running experience, either professionally or recreationally, and they should be able to give you the information you need to improve your skills. Whenever possible, talk to other runners who have attended the camp and get feedback on what they thought of the instructors, the daily activities, and other relevant aspects of the running camp experience. Decide if the camp will be operating at your ability level so you are not out of your element; a beginner's camp will not be challenging or beneficial for an experienced runner, and an advanced camp may be too difficult for a beginner.

Find out what amenities are included with the running camp enrollment. If, for example, the camp is a multi-day event, make sure the facility will provide food for you each day. Many camps will provide a menu beforehand, and you should examine this menu carefully to ensure the foods on it are beneficial to runners and acceptable to your palate. You will burn a significant amount of calories during the camp, so you will need to replace them with quality foods. The menu should be healthy and abundant enough for your needs.

The location of the running camp is also important. If you will be traveling to the camp, make sure it is within reasonable distance, or make sure that you can make appropriate travel arrangements affordably. The terrain on which the camp will be held should be appropriate for your ability level and challenging enough to push your limits. Off-road runners should do some research into the surrounding trails and recreational areas to ensure the terrain is suitable; on-road runners should research the availability of running trails and the safety of roads in the area.