Broken Arrow Skyrace Announces New Multi-Year Partnership with ACG

Featuring the Largest Prize Purse in International Trail Running, and a New Competitive Youth Race

 

Olympic Valley, CA, December 2, 2025

 

Today, the Broken Arrow Skyrace, one of North America’s largest—and the most competitive—trail running event, announced a new multi-year, title sponsorship with ACG (All Conditions Gear), a Nike brand designed for all athletes who seek the challenge, adventure and connection of thriving in the wild.

 

Through this partnership, the 2026 Broken Arrow Skyrace will feature a $150,000 prize purse, the largest of any trail running event in the world. Winners of the flagship Broken Arrow 23K will take home $30,000, and winners of the Ascent and 46K races will take home $6,000 and $4,000, respectively. The partnership will also herald the launch of Trail Futures NTN (Nike Trail Nationals), a “youth national championship-caliber event,” to encourage the development of the next generation of up-and-coming trail runners. 

 

Launched ten years ago, the Broken Arrow Skyrace originally sought to emulate iconic European mountain races like Sierre Zinal and Zegama-Aizkorri, while simultaneously showcasing the culture, traditions, and values that have always characterized North American trail running; namely the importance of community, and the equal celebration of every runner. 

 

In 2025, the Broken Arrow Skyrace welcomed more than 3,700 runners from 31 countries to the spectacular Palisades Tahoe resort (previously Squaw Valley), home of the 1960 Winter Olympics and was the only U.S. stop on the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup and Golden Trail World Series.  

 

“We always say that whether you finish first or last, YOU are a rockstar,” said co-race director Ethan Veneklasen. “This isn’t just a motto for us; it is the central organizing ideal against which we judge every decision we make. We could not be more delighted to be partnering with ACG to further enshrine these values as our sport continues to evolve and become more professional.” 

 

“With this unprecedented investment, ACG is demonstrating its commitment to independent trail running events, and the authentic and rich impact that races like Broken Arrow have on trail culture at large,” said co-race director Brendan Madigan. “This partnership will allow us to continue to evolve from our current position as the most competitive trail running event in North America to one of the most competitive in the world—while simultaneously driving our sport toward greater inclusivity and innovation.”

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The Broken Arrow Skyrace, Presented by ACG, has identified seven categories for continued innovation and investment in 2026, including: 

 

For Elite Runners

• The 2026 Broken Arrow Skyrace will feature the largest prize purse of any trail race in the world, a total of $150,000 spread across three races (a 76.5% increase from $85,000 in 2025). 

• Broken Arrow will also continue to support elite competitors from around the world (both established and up-and-comers) with complimentary race entries, travel stipends and lodging opportunities. 

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For Youth Runners

• As an incubator for future American trail running athletes, the Broken Arrow Skyrace will become home to the Trail Futures NTN (Nike Trail Nationals), a “youth national championship-caliber event.”

• Aimed at runners ages (10-19), NTN, is an homage to the NXN (Nike Cross Nationals) which was established to support youth and high school cross-country running in the US. 

• With the ultimate goal of raising the bar on US youth trail racing, Trail Futures NTN will help US youth runners be more competitive at the international level.

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For Adaptive Runners

• Launched in 2025—and developed in partnership with past Advisory Council member and Paralympian Dani Aravich, and Born to Adapt founder, Zach Friedley—the Broken Arrow Skyrace Adaptive Athletes Program will support adaptive runners with 20 guaranteed entries to the 18k race. 

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For Mothers & Families

• To reduce barriers to participation for women and young families, the Broken Arrow Skyrace is expanding its lactation stations and is planning to offer a limited amount of childcare services. 

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For BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and Non-Binary Runners

• The Broken Arrow Skyrace Inclusivity Initiative, launched in 2024, will be expanded to support BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and Non-Binary run clubs with complimentary entries to the 11k, 18k and 23k.

• Selected through an application process, each club receives footwear, equipment, and a travel stipend. 

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For All Runners

• The 2026 Broken Arrow Skyrace will feature new experiential event activations for participants to enjoy when they are not racing.

 

For Spectators

• The ACG partnership will allow Broken Arrow to realize a decade-long goal to use ski resort infrastructure (lifts) to transport spectators to “cheer zones” across the mountain.