RPL’s annual Camp & Run will bring runners together to connect to nature and community through an immersive educational, stewardship, and running experience on June 5 – 7, 2026 in Leadville, Colorado.

We are thrilled to partner with the Cloud City Conservation Center, Friends of Lake County, the Lake County Tourism District, and the U.S. Forest Service and we invite you to join us to experience this iconic running destination alongside these incredible leaders and educators.

Meet the All-Star Camp & Run Leaders

Zoë Rom

Dani Reyes-Acosta is a Latina-API athlete and storyteller rewriting the narrative of how we find the limits of our possible—and how we build community with others on this planet. Based in SW Colorado, Dani is Mexican, Filipina, and Mestiza—and proudly reclaiming the complexities of her heritage as a food producer, cultivator, and legacy Coloradan. Her goal as a mountain athlete is to find the limits of her possible, searching for peaks and valleys that tell the story of Mother Earth’s most impacted places.

When asked about this program and the lasting impact it has, previous camp leaders had some amazing takeaways. Here leader Dani Reyes-Acosta reflects on what Camp & Run has meant to her and the importance of participating in this program.

“Camp & Run integrates stewardship, recreation, and community in a way few other outdoor advocacy organizations dare to venture: the intersectional, regenerative approach to time on the land shows us that recreation, our land, and our enjoyment thereof are intrinsically interwoven. Camp & Run is a deeply soulful experience for anyone that cares about the future of our public lands. 

Between moments around the campfire sharing stories to frolicking on trails near the fish hatchery to touring Leadville businesses and learning how to give back on both the community AND policy levels, the entire weekend formed an indelible mark on my soul. It was an honor to connect with so many like-minded friends, old and new, in the regenerative recreation space!”

Zoë Rom is an award-winning journalist and runner based in the Roaring Fork Valley. A Southern storyteller turned mountain dweller, she starts every day with a cup of strong coffee and a good story. She is co-author of the book Becoming a Sustainable Runner with Tina Muir as well as the host and producer of the Trailhead Podcast at UltraSignup. 

Another returning leader is Zoë Rom, who serves as a RPL Board Member. Here is an impactful statement that Zoë provided in response to why Camp & Run is important for public land advocacy.

“I think that really taking time away from the cadence of daily life to connect with the landscape – through food, through friendship, running, and active, hands-on stewardship can fundamentally reshape and solidify your connection with and commitment to the landscape.”

Adam Ducharme

Emily Olsen has a background in health equity and food justice and has worked with communities across the country to create their own healthier futures. Emily is the Executive Director of Cloud City Conservation Center in Leadville, CO and serves on the Parkville Water Board, the Fresh Food Connect Board and the Kitchen Committee for St George Community Meals. When she is not working to support her community Emily can be found running or skiing in the mountains surrounding Leadville.

Ash Warner is the Education Director of Cloud City Conservation Center in Leadville, CO. Ash is a passionate educator who finds joy in sharing knowledge and empowering others to embrace actions that benefit our planet. She has attended Camp & Run before and had many kind words about the impact of Camp & Run.

“My favorite memory was last year’s letter-writing session. It felt especially meaningful to have dedicated time to reach out to lawmakers and share the importance of preserving and responsibly stewarding public lands in Lake County and across Colorado. Camp & Run brings together recreation, education, and advocacy in a way that makes public land issues feel tangible and personal. By bringing people together outdoors to actively experience these spaces, it helps grow a community that’s deeply invested in protecting and expanding access to public lands.”

Adam Ducharme is the Tourism Director for Visit Leadville-Twin Lakes. Adam is currently focused on promoting tourism opportunities in Leadville and help sustain local businesses. He has pushed good stewardship for both community members and tourists through the Friends of Lake County group and partnering with Runners for Public Lands.  

Kathleen Baker

Ti Eversole is a Diné (Navajo) endurance athlete, storyteller, photographer, and outdoor brand strategist based in Durango, Colorado. Through current projects that include climate advocacy, protecting public lands, and Indigenous land stewardship, Ti’s main mission is to protect the landscapes we love and build a more sustainable future for the next generation and beyond. This will be Ti’s first time at Camp & Run. When asked what she is looking forward to most, she said the following.

Bryant Baker served as one of RPL’s founding members of the Board of Directors. After six years on the Board, Bryant became the organization’s first Director of Advocacy and Education in late 2025.  He was previously the Director of Conservation & Research at Los Padres ForestWatch, where he worked to protect lands along California’s Central Coast for nearly a decade.

Laura Ochoa has an RPL Board of Director since 2020. Laura is most recently a dual enrollment college counselor, but still holds the role of Director of DEI at her previous job. Laura works with high school students to find their own version of success. She’s a professional listener by degree (counselor). One of her outdoor passions, in addition to running trails, is watercoloring when she hikes/backpacks, and swimming is low-key her anti-depressant.

After serving on the Board of Directors, Kathleen Baker was selected as RPL’s executive director in 2022. Kathleen is a Ventura, CA-based runner and backcountry adventurer, the mom of two fearless boys, and is married to her husband Josh – a professional ocean engineer and deep-sea diver. Kathleen is also the founder and 13-year race director of the grassroots, community-focused, Mount Laguna Trail Marathon in San Diego, California.

We are always excited to welcome back members of the RPL team to Camp & Run each year. Returning to camp this year as camp leaders are Executive Director, Kat Baker, Director of Education and Advocacy, Bryant Baker, and Board Members, Laura Ochoa and Zoë Rom. When asked to share about what Camp & Run has meant to her, Kat Baker said the following.

“Camp & Run was my first RPL experience as a new community member five years ago. Each year I join the event I leave with new perspectives, new connections, and a renewed sense of purpose in this work. Being able to spend meaningful time with different members of our community while running, learning, and giving back to the iconic landscapes we cherish, is where I find authentic connection and inspiration. There’s something truly special about experiencing the RPL mission through Camp & Run, and I can’t wait to join the team in Leadville again this year!”

We are excited to welcome a fantastic group of leaders to this year’s Camp & Run whom offer a wide range of expertise across topics such as conservation, advocacy, equitable access to public lands and recreation economies. 

Camp & Run Impact

Camp & Run is RPL’s signature immersive running experience that connects stewardship, recreation, and community in Leadville, Colorado. 

In total, the event has hosted over 70 individuals contributing a total of 309 community service hours, including the removal of nearly 200 illegal backcountry fire rings and the reconstruction of a critical fence with the U.S. Forest Service. Last year alone we mobilized 40 participants for a total of 150 service hours to the U.S. Forest Service and removed 125 illegal fire rings. We hope you’ll join us this year in Leadville, CO from June 5-7th.

Featured image: Group sitting around fire from Camp & Run 2025. Photo by Sergio Garces