Upcoming run clinics
Please get in touch with us if you are unsure if one of our clinics is a good fit for you and we will be happy to recommend the best option based on your goals and experience. While most of our introductory clinics are designed to accommodate everyone, some may be better suited to beginners.
Don’t see the clinic that you are looking for here? We are able to create custom programming based on you or your groups’ interests. We always welcome opportunities for collaboration with the ultimate goal of helping more people safely experience our backyard.
We aim to keep clinic pricing accessible. If cost is a barrier, or if you’re in a position to support someone else’s spot, please get in touch. We’ll do our best to help.
Back by popular demand, accomplished mountain athlete Emma Cook-Clarke and Front Ranges guide Adam Mertens will lead you through the steps that it takes to push the boundaries of your mountain running.
This full-day session will explore:
Streamlining your pack to go light, while also staying prepared for emergencies
Route planning and navigation decisions to improve efficiency
Uphill and downhill movement, pacing, and breathing
Adapting technique to terrain, conditions, and distance
Mindset strategies for having the best day possible
We will use sections of trail to allow for focused practice, feedback, and refinement. Expect beautiful scenery, expert instruction, great community, and the golden larch trees.
Clinic details:
Date: September 19, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Kananaskis, AB (exact location TBD, expect a ~30-40 min drive from Canmore)
Price: $130 per person
Distance: Approximately 20-25 km & 1000 m
Who it's for: Runners comfortable covering 20-25 km with up to 1000 m of elevation gain within 6 hours who are ready to level up their mountain skills. Runners will have some experience racing trails or roads and are looking to further develop their knowledge. To start, we will slowly jog the uphills, and we will enjoy easy/moderate running on the flats and the descents.
If you're wondering whether this program is a good fit for you, please send us a message.
Meet Your Instructors
Adam Mertens | Founder + Lead Guide
Adam is a Canmore-based hiking guide, teacher, and mountain athlete. A lifelong runner, his passion for trail running truly took shape after moving to the Bow Valley in 2017. He quickly discovered that running offered one of the most rewarding ways to experience the grandeur of the Rockies. In a matter of a few hours, it allowed him to reach peaks and see places that would normally take entire days.
Since making the move to Canmore, Adam has found his greatest joy in sharing experiences in the mountains with others. The vibrant local running community continues to inspire him through stories, motivations, and the friendships that it fosters. Guiding people’s first experiences in the Rockies with The Howl Experience, Outward Bound Canada, and SkiUphill has been one of the most meaningful parts of his work.
Adam has been an ACMG Hiking Guide since 2018. He is also a certified Elementary Teacher and ambassador with Arc’teryx Alberta, combining education, mentorship, and adventure in all that he does.