Serene Desert Beauty | Guided Mindful Running | Restorative Yoga | Luxury Resort | Spa | Mindful Leadership
Immerse yourself in a unique landscape for the four-day, three night, all-inclusive Sonoran Desert Trail Running Retreat designed just for women leaders who love to run as part of their self-care and stress management. Master the art of stress resilience through mindful running as taught by Charlotte Roennau, MSc., a former professional athlete whose life work is to help high performers of all types employ mindful breath and movement in their daily lives. Combining her expertise in sports science with yoga and mindfulness, Charlotte will lead you through a series of on-trail exercises that make the practice of mindful running tangible and immediately applicable to your running style.
You’ll come home from this retreat equipped with a simple yet powerful set of practices you can incorporate into your running and mindfulness practices to better manage stress and avoid burnout as you pursue your goals, athletics, professional, artistic or personal.
From the moment you arrive at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, you’ll feel yourself start to unwind and be present. The Starr Pass Resort’s luxury accommodations are inspired by nature and designed to promote relaxation and restoration, making it the ideal base for this retreat.
We’ve selected trails that best showcase the Sonoran Desert’s impeccable beauty, rewarding singletrack trails and unique features, such as giant saguaro cacti. You’ll cruise along soft, sandy trails that meander through gently rolling hills. While it’s not necessary to have trail running experience to participate in this retreat, you should be able to comfortably run at least 8 or so miles on the road and feel comfortable on ground that is uneven, at times rocky. The time on trail ranges from about one to 3 hours, including photo stops, water breaks and such. The pace is relaxed and social, so you don’t have to be fast!
This small group experience is limited to just 15 women and will leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired.
Participant Photos + Testimonials
Start Planning Your Retreat
Sonoran Desert Trail Running + Wellness Retreat• Three nights at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa
• Daily resort fee (for WIFI, self parking and resort amenities)
• Three breakfasts
• Three lunches (usually picnic or casual)
• Three dinners at high-quality restaurants
• Private yoga class
• Daily guided mindful trail runs
• Dedicated Retreat Leader
• Mitakuye Oyasin Morning Ritual
• Professional running guide
• Private transportation to/from trailheads
• Mindful Running Clinics
• Stress Resilience strategies for women in leadership
• Trail snacks
• Run Wild Retreats gift bag
EXCLUSIONS:
- Flights
- Transportation to/from the airport
- Alcoholic beverages
- Other incidentals
- Travel/cancellation insurance
- Anything else not listed under “What’s Included”
Deposit: $800
Balance Payment Deadline: 90 days before trip start
Max Group Size: 15 women
Shared Room Package (per person): $3,995
Private Room Package (per person): $4,495
*Shared room packages have two beds. Solo travelers may choose this option and will be paired with another retreat participant.
If traveling with a friend, you may list your friend as your preferred roommate on your Retreat Participant Intake Form.
😊 Refundable Booking is available for this package. Learn more here.
This retreat is rated Level II, which means we recommend you have a base fitness level that allows you to run up to 8 miles at a time on roads. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you run–really!
- Daily runs at this retreat range from 5 miles to 9 miles on singletrack trails.
- Two guides accompany the group to support the different pace groups, so there’s no pressure to run faster than you’re comfortable.
- Trail running experience isn’t necessary. Your retreat leader provides trail-running tips for running in this terrain.
- You’ll encounter trails with loose rocks, and some exposure to heights. You can walk/hike trail sections as you need.
- The trail surfaces are a mix of loose sand, rock and dirt trail. Very little ground will be truly flat–you have to focus on your footing, which is why we stop often to take photos and soak up the views.
- Trail running shoes and a hydration pack that can carry at least 1 Liter of water are required.
- Learn more about how we manage run pacing here: https://runwildretreats.com/about-the-run-wild-retreat-experience/levels/
Want to Know More?
Day 1 | Arrivals + Shake Out Run
After checking into your room at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, you’ll meet your group and retreat leader in a private meeting room for the retreat’s Opening Meeting at 2 p.m.. Come dressed ready to run as we’ll depart for today’s shake out run soon after the meeting wraps. During the meeting, you’ll officially meet your fellow retreat participants and review the retreat intention and flow with your retreat leader. At 3 p.m., you’ll have time to drop off any extra items and your Run Wild Retreats Gift Bag before meeting our guides in front of the lobby area for a short drive to today’s run location.
Today’s “shake out” trail run is designed to help you get grounded and burn off any nervous energy. Your retreat leader will present the key aspects of the Power Posture as a foundation for your mindful running practice in the days to come. These techniques will be especially valuable if you’re new to trail running. Then you’ll enjoy a relaxed run on these smooth, easy trails. After the run, we’ll return to the Starr Pass Resort, where you have plenty of free time to freshen up before we gather for dinner.
Time on trail (including stops and clinic): 60 minutes
Day 2 | Tucson Mountain Park Run + Yoga
Help yourself to the breakfast buffet at the resort any time. You’ll meet your retreat leader at guides at 8:30 a.m. in the main lobby for the drive to today’s trailhead to Tucson Mountain Park for a local’s favorite runs that follows challenging but rewarding running. Be prepared for trails that will at times challenge you, but also reward your efforts with stunning scenic rewards. You may even spot an iconic Crested Saguaro cacti; beware of the chollo and prickly pear along the trail sides.
At the run’s end, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch (weather permitting) before driving back to the Starr Pass Resort, where you’ll enjoy some relaxing free time to lounge by the pool, or enjoy a spa treatment. Join us for a late afternoon restorative yoga class and sharing circle, then have some free time to freshen up before dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Time on trail (including stops): 2 – 2.5 hours
Day 3 | Sabino Canyon Singletrack
Help yourself to the breakfast buffet at your leisure. At 8:30 a.m., you’ll meet your guide and retreat leader for the slightly longer drive to today’s trailhead for a scenic run in Sabino Canyon, where, we’ll savor an especially rewarding and scenic trail that involves non-stop rolling hills and sections of technical terrain that requires our mindful attention. Again, your retreat leader will offer specific mindful running techniques that will help you gain comfort and confidence on this rewarding trail.
At the run’s end, we’ll enjoy a casual picnic lunch. Today you have even more free time to enjoy all the incredible wellness services (such as the pool or Hashani Spa) the resort has to offer. If you didn’t have your spa treatment yesterday, it will be scheduled for this afternoon. Otherwise, the afternoon is yours. This evening enjoy a sharing circle and dinner.
Time on trail (including stops): 2 -2.5 hours
Day 4 | Final Run + Farewells
After breakfast, we’ll head out a little earlier this morning in order to make the most of our final day together. After a short drive to a nearby trailhead. Today’s run is your ultimate opportunity to put together the mindful running techniques you’ve been practicing all weekend and fully realize your mindful running experience. Ending on a “runner’s high,” we’ll return to the resort feel invigorated rather than tired from this morning’s run.
You’ll have time to freshen up, pack up and check out of your rooms before gathering one last time as a group for lunch at the resort and the final Closing Meeting led by your retreat leader. Our program wraps up by around 12:30 or 1 p.m., leaving plenty of time to embark on your return travels.
Time on trail: 1 – 1.5 hours