Tava Tours x Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent
Training Camp

When: August 7-10, 2025

Where: Manitou Springs, CO

Final itinerary is subject to change and will be published and sent to participants prior to camp kickoff.

  • The camp will begin at 4:30pm with a Garden of the Gods shakeout run to get to know your fellow runners and get the jitters out of the legs.

    After the run, we’ll refuel with a welcome dinner and our first speaker session at the Lodge as well as prepare for the days ahead.

  • Breakfast will be provided at the lodge followed by an ascent to Barr Camp. There will be an option to add additional miles on after a brown bag lunch at Barr Camp if desired. Campers will indulge in the famous Barr Camp spaghetti dinner at camp followed by speaker sessions and prep for the following day.

    Important: Please see “Staying at Barr Camp” below for information about our night at Barr Camp including what to pack, how to pack and what to expect.

  • After a Barr Camp breakfast consisting of “Pikes Peak Power Pancakes,” we’ll begin another trail excursion. The group will split into two groups (marathon and ascent) with the marathon group having a longer day out. Once back in Manitou, our athletic recovery options will help soothe your tired muscles. We’ll finish the day with dinner and a few more speaker sessions.

  • Congratulations, you’ve made it through the weekend! We’ll have. breakfast at the Lodge followed by two options: The Incline (world famous 2,000’ climb in under a mile with a return down Barr Trail) or a flatter trail route in town. We’ll close the camp with a final panel and speaker session to congratulate you on a job well done!

Staying at Barr Camp (Friday Night)

This section is important to read PRIOR to booking your spot at camp.

Barr Camp is only accessible by foot. Therefore, we can only accommodate a very specific packing list for your Friday night stay. If you require any additional items, you will be required to carry them on your own to/from camp. Our team will transport your allowable gear to/from camp to ensure you can get the most out of your training weekend by limiting the amount of gear you’ll need to carry.

All campers will stay in either the main bunkhouse or the upper cabin bunkhouse. For more information about Barr Camp: https://barrcamp.com/overnight/accommodations/

You will be given a bag to use for packing. All gear must fit in the bag. No exceptions. If this style of packing is not for you, then this camp will not be the right fit as we cannot accommodate extra gear.

What’s required?

  • 1 sleeping bag (compact/packable)- recommend 40 degree

    NOTE: This does not need to fit into provided bag but a compact and packable bag is appreciated.

What’s allowed?

  • 1 change of running clothes

  • 1 pair of sleeping clothes (we recommend your next day’s running clothes…)

  • 1 headlight

  • 1 small toiletry bag (should only include necessities!)

    • Travel size Toothbrush / toothpaste

    • Travel size deodorant

    • Travel size hairbrush

If you need to stash the rest of your gear for the weekend, we will have a bag storage set up at Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort. Bags will be stored in a locked unit and monitored by our staff. However, we are not responsible for any property stored overnight and ask that you take or secure any valuable items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Here: If you are flying, the closest airports to Manitou Springs, CO are Colorado Springs Airport and Denver International Airport. The camp will be based out of Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort in Manitou Springs, CO which is about a 25 mins drive from COS and 90 mins from DIA.

Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, 2 El Paso Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Is Transportation Included?
No, transportation is not included to/from the camp. However, the camp will utilize the free Manitou Shuttle for access to Barr Trail and town which is located only 0.5 mile from Buffalo Lodge. Additionally, if the route includes a summit of Pikes Peak, then the Ascent group will receive a shuttle ride down back to the Lodge.

What nights of lodging are included?
The camp fee covers the Friday night lodging cost at Barr Camp. All other lodging will be booked on your own.

Do I need to stay on-site at Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort?
No, while we do recommend the Lodge as our main camp location it is not required to stay overnight. All camp programming will be based out of the Lodge. For reserving rooms at Buffalo Lodge use the code TAVA10 for 10% off your booking. The code is valid from August 7-10, 2025. If you wish to extend your stay, please call the lodge and let them know you are part of the Pikes Peak Marathon camp and they may extend the discount.

We do have four glamping tents reserved at Buffalo Lodge for Thursday and Saturday night that are available to add-on through registration. This is a great option to ensure you have on-site lodging in a clean and comfortable space.

What meals are included?
Please see the camp itinerary for the meal breakdown.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes! All meals will be catered by RAD Boulder. Please designate any dietary restrictions/preferences during registration.

Will there be aid stations?
No, there will not be aid stations. Runners are expected to bring and carry their own fuel (including gels, electrolytes, etc.). Camp sponsors may offer additional options for runners to carry (to be announced prior to camp).

I live at sea level, can I participate?
Absolutely! This camp is designed to help runners build the confidence and fitness needed for race day. Our guides will be there to support you the entire way and practice a “no drop” policy. If you feel you need additional support leading up to the camp, please see our “Training Plan” page.

How fast of a runner do I need to be?
This is an inclusive camp experience designed for all paces of runner. However, we may be ascending Pikes Peak (14,107’) so you will want arrive with a good fitness base and be ready for the added challenge of elevation gain with altitude.

Is this camp a part of the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent race?
Tava Tours is the camp host and is a sponsor of the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent. However, the camp is not directly associated with the race organization.

What is the weather policy?
Pikes Peak weather can be unpredictable and can create unusual and rapid weather changes above tree line. We will make safety the utmost priority and camp day decisions will be made to protect runner safety. That being said, we will not cancel the camp due to weather but may modify the routes/itinerary in order to keep all parties safe.

What is the cancellation/refund policy?
To cancel your registration, you must notify us in writing to info@tavalodge.com no later than the date listed below for the shown refund amount.
75% refund - May 7, 2025
50% refund - June 7, 2025
25% refund - July 7, 2025
No refunds will be issued after July 7, 2025. However, registrations may be transferred to another individual. Tava Tours will not handle any reimbursement for the transfer but will work with the original registrant to transfer the registration information.

Do you have a pregnancy policy?
Yes, if you become pregnant after registration, you may receive a full refund. Partners of pregnant women as well as parents that are adopting or birthing via surrogacy will also have the option to receive a full refund.