Chip’s Marathon Walking Weekend
- Rising Circle Ranch, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- May 6–9, 2027
Is a partial scholarship for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to everyone, which is why we offer partial scholarships on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
These scholarships support individuals facing financial challenges, including — but not limited to — members of underrepresented communities. If financial stress might prevent you from attending a workshop, we encourage you to apply.
Partial scholarships, provided through the Association for Growth and Education, are limited to 2–3 seats per workshop and reviewed in the order received. We recommend applying as soon as possible, as scholarship decisions are typically confirmed 90–120 days before the workshop date.
Walk a marathon over a weekend in the high desert with Chip Conley
Have you ever completed a marathon?
Here’s your chance to do it in an entirely different way—not by pounding the pavement in a grueling half-day endurance challenge, but by hiking in the beauty of the high desert, with the 26.2 miles spread across two days.
There’s no race clock or pressure to beat your best time. Just the next mile, a wide New Mexico sky overhead, good food, recovery waiting at the end of the day, and the companionship that grows when you share a goal worth reaching together.
If you’ve been wanting to boost your physical fitness or get back in shape after an injury – or simply spend two days getting out of your head and into your body in the beauty of the high desert, this is a great place to start.
A working ranch in the New Mexico high desert
Twenty-five minutes south of Santa Fe, Rising Circle Ranch opens into nearly 2,600 acres of high desert: sandy arroyos, open grasslands, rocky ridgelines, and wide views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The landscape gives you room to breathe, move at a human pace, and notice what has been asking for your attention. After the day’s miles, return to Pueblo-style spaces, shaded portals, and meals inspired by northern New Mexico. Soak tired legs in the hot tub, settle in around the fire, or watch the desert turn gold, then blue, then full of stars.
It’s a place made for effort, restoration, and the particular pleasure of being well cared for after a long day on your feet.
The Experience
Together with MEA founder Chip Conley, you’ll walk a full marathon in five supported segments – about 14 miles on Friday and 12.2 on Saturday –following high-desert ranch roads through sandy arroyos, open grasslands, and rocky ridgelines.
You’ll be supported with thoughtful pacing, trail guidance, food, hydration, stretching, recovery time, and good company.
World champion athlete Rebecca Rusch will be there as well, offering practical guidance on endurance: how to prepare for a long day on your feet, move efficiently over varied terrain, and recover well between walks. Chip will bring his lifetime love of walking, along with stories and questions about the limits we quietly accept as fact – the things we tell ourselves we’re too old, too busy, or not quite ready to try.
You don’t need to be an athlete to take part. But you should arrive with a regular walking practice, feel comfortable spending extended time on your feet, and be ready to prepare for varied terrain. You’ll be supported with thoughtful pacing, trail guidance, food, hydration, stretching, recovery time, and good company. Along the way, there’ll be incredible meals, foot massages, an optional Spacuzzi soak, and a final walk to Chip’s home for a poolside celebration.
Not sure whether this is the right challenge for you?
What You’ll Leave With
- A marathon behind you: 26.2 miles completed across sandy arroyos, open grasslands, and rocky ridgelines – no race clock, just the next stretch of trail.
- A better feel for your own pace and capabilities: Knowing when to settle in, drink water, eat something, rest your feet, and keep moving when the day gets long.
- A new answer to “Can I do that?” Not because someone told you that you could, but because you walked the miles yourself.
- A walking practice you can bring home: Put on your shoes, take the long route, and let a walk make room for the thought you could not get to while sitting at your desk.
- Connection with other walkers who know what it took: The people who shared the arroyos, the lunch tables, the tired feet, and the final walk with you.
- A memory with some texture to it: Dust on your shoes, a foot massage at happy hour, a soak under the New Mexico sky, and a poolside celebration after the last miles.
What People Are Saying
Who This Is for
- You’re ready for a physical challenge that gets you out of your usual routine and into your body and mind.
- You love being outside and can arrive ready to walk 14 miles on Friday and 12.2 miles on Saturday, over varied terrain. A regular walking practice, including longer walks on trails, will help you arrive ready for the experience.
- You’d rather focus on the experience than the logistics: the route, meals, recovery time, and experienced guides are all taken care of.
- You want a real accomplishment: 26.2 miles of trail, completed with good company and time to rest along the way.
- You’re drawn to the kind of conversation that happens when people walk side by side, eat at the same table, and have a common goal ahead of them.
- You’re willing to lace up, take the next hill or sandy stretch as it comes, and keep going.
Who This Isn’t for
- You’re looking for a race, boot camp, or competition where the goal is to go as hard or as fast as possible.
- You’d rather do your own thing most of the weekend. Shared meals, group circles, and walking alongside others are all part of the experience.
- You’re not comfortable walking several miles at a time, or an injury or health condition makes a 26.2-mile weekend on varied terrain inadvisable.
- You want someone to hand you the answer to a major life question. Chip and Rebecca can offer stories, questions, and encouragement – the answers are yours to find.
- You’re not interested in spending time with people whose backgrounds, perspectives, or life experiences may differ from your own.
The Schedule
Day One Thursday, May 6
Day Two Friday, May 7
Day Three Saturday, May 8
Day Four Sunday, May 9
*Not all session time takes place in the classroom.
**Times are estimates; the agenda is meant to give you the general flow of the days.
Meet Your Hosts
Hospitality Pioneer, Modern Elder Academy Founder, Bestselling Author
Chip Conley
Chip Conley is the founder and CEO of Modern Elder Academy, the world’s first midlife wisdom school. A hospitality entrepreneur and five-time best-selling author, Chip founded Joie de Vivre Hospitality at age 26 and grew it into the second-largest boutique hotel company in America.
Chip is a three-time TED speaker and the New York Times bestselling author of Wisdom at Work: The Making of a Modern Elder and Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age.
In 2018, he co-founded MEA to help people in midlife find their own meaningful way to create fulfilling and exciting next chapters for themselves.
Chip brings a lifelong love of walking to the trail, along with a belief that life transitions are often navigated one step at a time.
Supported by the MEA Team
Rebecca Rusch
7x World Champion Adventure Athlete | Author | Coach
Rebecca Rusch is a legendary ultra-endurance athlete with extraordinary achievements across multiple sports. A seven-time world champion, she has dominated everything from mountain biking to adventure racing, cycling, cl …
More Kind Words
I felt this deeper sense of family there that was just really beautiful. The connecting that all of us did that week was so healing for me.
Rachel Rodriguez, MEA Alum
An exquisite place with exquisite people. No one said to me, ‘What do you do?’ It’s really about who you are.
Eileen McDargh, MEA Alum
You get to share your gift, and when you share, it comes bouncing back at you. For me, it’s laughter—imagine what it’s like to have waves of laughter bouncing back at you.
Paul Gilbert, MEA Alum
Eat, Rest, Explore
At Rising Circle Ranch, settle into beautifully appointed rooms, Pueblo-style spaces, and nourishing meals inspired by the flavors of northern New Mexico. After a day on the trail, rest in a shaded portal, soak your tired legs in the hot tub, or gather around the fire.
What Makes This Experience Unique
- A rare kind of guide pairing: Chip Conley brings the profound questions of a life in transition. Rebecca Rusch brings decades of hard-won knowledge about endurance, recovery, and what the body can teach the mind.
- A marathon without race-day pressure: You’ll cover 26.2 miles in five supported walking segments over two days—enough to feel like a real accomplishment, with room to eat, stretch, rest your feet, and enjoy the people alongside you.
- The Ridgetop Rally: Start Saturday with a three-mile morning ritual, then return to the circle before heading out for the day’s longer walk.
- Recovery has a place on the itinerary: Morning stretching, breaks between walks, happy-hour foot massages, and an optional Spacuzzi soak are part of how you get through the weekend.
- A finish line with a welcoming front door: The final three-mile stretch brings the group to Chip’s nearby home, where the trail gives way to a poolside celebration and appreciation ritual.
- MEA hospitality, in the middle of big country: Come back from the trail to Pueblo-style rooms, scratch-cooked northern New Mexico meals, shaded portals, hot tubs, and the particular pleasure of being well cared for after a long day on your feet.
What’s Included
- Three nights of lodging at our world-class Rising Circle Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico with all of your meals, snacks, drinks and other amenities included
- Daily sessions and experiential activities to help you connect with your inner self, envision your desired experience, and release what no longer serves you
- Mindfulness practices to soothe your nervous system and help you cultivate greater mindfulness and presence in the moment
- Movement to get the energy flowing and build your strength and agility as you chart your course forward to the life you want to live
- The chance to connect with people outside your usual orbit
- Intimate gatherings to cultivate connection and celebrate the joy and beauty of life
Book Your Spot Today
Chip’s Marathon Walking Weekend
Rising Circle Ranch, Santa Fe, New Mexico
May 6–9, 2027
Is a partial scholarship for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to everyone, which is why we offer partial scholarships on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
These scholarships support individuals facing financial challenges, including — but not limited to — members of underrepresented communities. If financial stress might prevent you from attending a workshop, we encourage you to apply.
Partial scholarships, provided through the Association for Growth and Education, are limited to 2–3 seats per workshop and reviewed in the order received. We recommend applying as soon as possible, as scholarship decisions are typically confirmed 90–120 days before the workshop date.
Start with Wild Resilience
Arrive four days early for Wild Resilience, immediately before Chip’s Marathon Walking Weekend. Practice meeting physical and mental challenges with Rebecca Rusch and Dr. Jaimie Lusk, then carry those skills into the walking weekend, with Rebecca Rusch staying on to support you.
Explore Wild Resilience →Frequently Asked Questions
Walking a marathon over a weekend sounds like a big undertaking. Here’s what to know about the pace, support, and experience, so you can decide whether this is the right next step for you.
Do I need to be an experienced hiker or endurance athlete?
No. This is a walking experience, not a race. You do not need to be an elite athlete, but you should be comfortable walking several miles at a time and prepared to train beforehand. You’ll cover 26.2 miles over five guided walks across two days, with stretching, meals, rest, and recovery built into the schedule.
What is the terrain like?
You’ll walk on ranch roads and trails through open grasslands, sandy arroyos, and rocky ridgelines at Rising Circle Ranch. Some sections may be uneven, exposed to sun, or include changes in elevation. We’ll share practical guidance before the workshop so you can arrive prepared with appropriate footwear, clothing, and conditioning.
What should I bring?
Bring broken-in walking shoes or trail shoes you’ve already worn on longer walks; a sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses; a reusable water bottle or hydration pack; and layers for cool mornings, warm afternoons, wind, or an unexpected change in weather.
You’ll also want a small daypack for water, snacks, an extra layer, and any personal items you need on the trail. Please bring all prescribed medications, plus any foot-care items you rely on, such as blister pads or preferred socks. We’ll send a detailed packing list before the workshop.
Can I attend if I’m in my 60s, 70s, or beyond?
Age is not the deciding factor. Your walking readiness and overall health are.
What matters is whether you can participate in a weekend that includes 26.2 miles of walking over varied terrain. You should be comfortable walking several miles at a time and willing to train in advance. If you have an injury, a health condition, or questions about your readiness, please consult your healthcare provider and contact our team before enrolling.
What if I can’t complete every mile?
If you need to sit out part of a walk, let a member of the team know. We’ll work with you to find the safest, most appropriate way for you to stay part of the experience. Your well-being comes first – you will not be asked to push through pain or an injury.
Will there be time to rest and recover?
Absolutely. The weekend is intentionally designed around both movement and restoration. Expect morning stretching, generous meals, breaks between walks, foot massages, an optional Spacruzzi soak, and a poolside celebration at Chip’s home. Meals, breaks, stretching, and recovery time are built into the schedule between walks.
What will we talk about while we walk?
There will be guided circles, prompts, and conversations with Chip Conley and Rebecca Rusch, along with plenty of room for casual trail conversation, and your own thoughts.
Still Have Questions?
Our online concierge is standing by to help.
Want to Speak with a Human?
Book a call with our advisors. Our Advisors are all MEA alumni who can offer genuine insights into our programs. They’re passionate about helping you find the MEA experience that fits what you want to work on now.
