Mad Moose Events is owned and operated by Justin, Denise, Malachi, and Kylah Ricks. We are committed to offering a memorable experience for runners. Our main objective is to celebrate each and every runner as they accomplish big goals, and to support them along the way. Mad Moose Events offers unique and beautiful running experiences in only the most magnificent locations. Every mile of the course will be professionally marked by a race director. A Mad Moose RD will also be on course as a safety sweep for every event, as we prioritize runner safety. Our family is dedicated to runners’ success, because we know runners make a lot of sacrifices to get here!

We value connecting with and supporting the local community. Including:

Supporting local businesses and encouraging our runners to support them too! 

Giving back to the community through volunteerism, including time to trail maintenance. 

Increasing sustainability, by reducing our impact on the environment. 

• Recycling and composting at aid station and finish line

• Donating excess food from the event

• Using Cup-less aid stations to reduce waste

• Reusing race materials and infrastructure, including course markers and race signage. 

Connecting with the local running community, and giving them options to volunteer to earn free race entries. 

Promoting local causes, with a focus on local trails and local youth running programs​

• Youth Scholarships to fund membership in youth running programs

• Free or discounted entries to local youth runners, who we work with to involve and integrate into the running community

• Donated entries to support families of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Children

• Shoe and gear donation to youth running groups

Giving back to the community through donations to not for profits

• We’ve given back to a great number in the last ten years.

  • Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (trail maintenance)

  • Friends of Palmer Park (trail maintenance)

  • Youth Garden Project

  • Widefield High School XC

  • Pueblo South High School XC and Track

  • GCHS Basketball, Track, Debate, XC

  • Community Rebuilds

  • HMK PTA

  • San Juan County Youth Running Team- Love 2 Run San Juan

  • Grand County Youth Run Club

  • Moab Charter School

  • Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation

  • Sierra Club

  • Moab Trail Mix (trail maintenance)

  • Girls on the Run

  • Beacon Afterschool Program

  • Just Run- A local youth boys run club

Read the story behind the creation of our family business, Mad Moose Events, on iRunFar! WeRunFar Profile: The Ricks Family

Listen to Mad Moose Events founder, Justin Ricks, talk about his love of the sport of running, his own running career, and what led him to start Mad Moose Events. He told his story to Off the Couch- A Running Podcast.

Listen to the Run to the Top Podcast, where race directors Justin and Denise Ricks talk running in Moab.

Read about the Ricks Family, originally from Colorado Springs, and their connection to Colorado's Front Range running community. 

Kylah Ricks, a Mad Moose race director, is also quite an accomplished runner. She graduated with 8 state championships, and she was named as a Deseret News Athlete of the week three times. Check out her interviews!

• MileSplit: 2018 XC State Champion

•  2019 XC State Champion

• Dye Stat: 2020 XC State Champion

• Dye Stat Discussions Podcast