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Epic Ultras 2.0 — The Franchise Movement
I’m Eric Steele, Founder, CEO, and Chief Bottle Washer of Epic Ultras, and yeah — I’m back. Fired up. Focused. Ready to raise the bar, again, for the sport I dearly love!
This isn’t a hobby comeback; it’s a national movement built on three decades of grit, endurance, and relentless execution.
My oldest son Harrison Steele, award-winning filmmaker and musician, shot our original Epic Ultras footage over a decade ago and he’s back behind the camera for this launch. He helped define our look, feel, and culture, and now he’s capturing its rebirth.
Why Now
In 1995 I founded Flat Rock, Kansas’ oldest ultramarathon.
The last three years I directed it — 2013 through 2015 — we sold out 11 months in advance, three years in a row.
At the same time, I directed the Prairie Spirit Trail 100, and every one of those the three events sold out six months in advance.
We brought in legends like Dr. David Horton and Marshall Ulrich as guest speakers and built something that resonated deep in the ultrarunning community.
I stepped away when burnout hit, but the fire never died. Six months ago I stopped missing it and decided to scale it , and not just several more regional races, but a national franchise. After years in franchise systems like Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Skyline Chili & Tony Roma’s, I know how to build something repeatable and bulletproof. That’s what Epic Ultras 2.0 is all about.
The System
Epic Ultras is a complete turnkey platform. We handle everything — every pixel, post, and purchase:
- Website & design — built and hosted for you
- Marketing — copy, automation, and campaigns handled nationally
- Registration & payments — collected and processed by HQ
- Vendor relations — bulk-rate sourcing and fulfillment
- Accounting, ordering, inventory — done for you
- Training & support — continuous
All you do is find badass courses and run the races with paid staff within the built-in budget.
No volunteers. No bookkeeping headaches. No “how do I set this up?” nonsense. We’ve already done it…every damn bit of it!
Co-Op Buying Power
Most small races order a few hundred shirts; we order tens of thousands.
Shirts, awards, insurance, food — everything drops in price through our national co-op buying network.
Here’s the kicker:
What you’ll save on those commodity purchases alone will easily cover your ongoing franchise royalties — and then some. The cost advantages are that strong.
Your independent competition — the mom-and-pop races, the local one-offs — simply can’t compete. They’re paying two, three, sometimes four times what you’ll pay for the same items. They don’t have the volume, the vendor relationships, or the negotiated national rates we do.
That’s what being part of the Epic Ultras franchise means: you’re buying like a national brand, not a local event. You’ll deliver higher-quality gear, better pricing for runners, and still walk away with stronger margins than anyone else in your region.
That’s co-op power — and it pays for itself every single race.
Brand & Recognition
When I snagged Epic Ultras in July 2012 at about 2 a.m., I knew it was lightning in a bottle.
We drew runners from all 50 states and eight countries, built a reputation for quality and attitude, and the name still slaps.
In our final year of operation — 2015 — Epic Ultras fielded and finished more runners in the state of Kansas than every other ultramarathon organization in the state combined. One organization. One brand. More finishers than all competitors put together. That’s brand power done right, now scaling nationally: bigger, smarter, faster.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re not just after newcomers and we’re not only recruiting veterans, we want the right mindset.
If you’re experienced, great , you’ll plug into a system that pushes you higher.
If you’re new, we’ll train you from scratch.
What matters most is being coachable, driven, and aligned with our mission.
Because at Epic Ultras, you’ll do it our way or not at all.
And if you’re a single female owner-operator, don’t be discouraged. This system was built so you can absolutely crush it. Epic Ultras 2.0 was designed so every determined individual — male, female, new, or seasoned, can run a state successfully with the thorough training and ongoing support we provide.
Applicants complete (Phase One):
1️⃣ Initial Interest Form (with four must-agree boxes) — this is Phase One.
2️⃣ Workplace Personality Assessment via Workforce Alchemy (we provide it).
3️⃣ 2–3 minute video showing why you belong in this mission.
By the way, if you can’t make a 2-3 minute video, you’re not ready to direct ultras. We’re assembling a Top-Gun-grade squadron here, and many times that will require stepping outside of your comfort zone frequently, in this case making and submitting a short video.
The Deal
- Franchise Fee: $10,000 total
- $5,000 deposit due within 24 hours of contract signing (after final award)
- $5,000 balance due Jan 31, 2026
- Training: Sedona, AZ — Dec 11–14, 2025 (post-selection; included)
- Commitment: Host a minimum of four Epic Ultras events per year
- Opt-Out: Attend training → decide by Dec 31, 2025 → contract voided (no penalty)
State Slots:
- Most states = 1 franchise
- CA, FL, NY, TX = 3–5 (based on population & demand)
- Expansion anywhere remains at our discretion
Workforce Alchemy Assessment
Epic Ultras has officially partnered with Workforce Alchemy, a leading workplace psychology firm, to provide a licensed proprietary assessment that identifies whether a candidate truly fits our culture and leadership model.
Each test carries a retail value of $80, and we’ve made a substantial investment to include it free for every serious applicant. We’re not cutting corners, this is about selecting the right individuals to carry the Epic Ultras brand forward.
This isn’t some random personality quiz, it’s a validated workplace assessment that measures leadership compatibility, communication style, and alignment with our culture. Results are used internally for evaluation and team matching. We do not share scores publicly.
Bottom line: if you make it through this step, you’ve already stood out.
Marketing Machine
Twenty-five years in database marketing (Bridgestone/Firestone included) taught me how to sell.
Epic Ultras events sold out because of expert level database marketing, not luck.
Our national model runs on email + SMS precision. Runners who are on our SMS list(s) get 72-hour early-bird access and discounts before we ever open up entry to the general running community. You’ll fill your races faster than anyone else in your market.
Final Word-(Phase One)
If you’ve got passion, grit, and the guts to lead from the front, here’s your checklist:
1️⃣ Fill out the Initial Interest Form
2️⃣ Take the Workforce Alchemy assessment
3️⃣ Record the 2–3 minute video
We’ll thoroughly train you, fully equip you, and completely back you if you advance. All you need is heart, commitment, and a willingness to Be Epic!
Quick Outline
- Founder: Eric Steele — ultrarunner & brand architect
- Franchise Type: State-level turnkey operation under the Epic Ultras banner
- System Includes: Web + marketing + payments + ordering + co-op vendors + training + support
- State Slots: 1 each; CA/FL/NY/TX = 3–5 (based on demand)
- Training: Sedona, AZ — Dec 11–14, 2025 (post-selection)
- Fee: $10K split ($5K within 24 hours of contract + $5K Jan 31, 2026)
- Commitment: Minimum 4 races/year
- Opt-Out: No-penalty withdrawal by Dec 31, 2025 after training
Franchise Readiness Checklist
☑ I’ve got the passion to build a state-level Epic Ultras franchise.
☑ I understand Epic handles all backend operations & ordering.
☑ I’ll complete the form, assessment, and 2–3 minute video.
☑ If selected as the final franchisee, I can submit the $5,000 deposit within 24 hours.
☑ I commit to hosting at least four Epic Ultras events each year with paid staff.
Included in Your Franchise
✅ Website + branding done for you
✅ Marketing + social + SMS systems run centrally
✅ Payment collection + accounting handled by Epic Ultras HQ
✅ National co-op ordering for shirts, awards, insurance, food
✅ Full training and ongoing support
✅ Dedicated server + CRM + analytics infrastructure
✅ Built-in budget for paid event staff (no volunteers)
Key Facts — Franchise Highlights
- Flat Rock: Founded 1995 • Sold out 2013–2015 (11 months in advance each year)
- Prairie Spirit Trail: Sold out all three events (6 months in advance)
- Guest Speakers: Dr. David Horton • Marshall Ulrich
- 2015: Epic Ultras fielded and finished more runners than all Kansas competitors combined
- Target Network: 200+ Epic Ultras events nationwide in year one
- Application Pipeline: 10 interest forms → 3 finalists → 1 franchisee (3–5 in large states)
- Marketing Edge: Data-driven launches + SMS priority alerts
- Support Model: Epic Ultras HQ manages 100% backend operations
FAQ — Read Before You Hit “Submit”
Q1: Do I need race-directing experience?
A: No. If you have it, great, you’ll adapt to our system. If not, we train you from scratch. Mindset beats résumé.
Q2: Can single female owner-operators apply?
A: Absolutely. The platform was engineered so a driven individual can run a state with HQ doing the heavy backend lifting.
Q3: How does selection work?
A: This is Phase One, the Initial Interest Form. From each state we accept up to 10 interest forms. From those 10, we select the Top 3 finalists to complete the full franchise application. From those 3, we award 1 franchisee for the state.
Q4: What happens if I’m Top 3 but not the final pick?
A: You remain on standby. If the winner drops out or fails to meet requirements, we contact the next qualified candidate immediately.
Q5: When is the $5,000 deposit actually due?
A: Within 24 hours of contract signing (after final selection). The balance $5,000 is due Jan 31, 2026.
Q6: What are the royalties and how do I cover them?
A: Standard ongoing royalties apply; your co-op savings on shirts, awards, insurance, and food will more than offset them each race.
Q7: What’s covered in training?
A: Operations, marketing, race-day execution, systems, logistics, staff coordination, safety, and brand standards. You leave training ready to launch.
Q8: Who handles money, vendors, and accounting?
A: Epic Ultras HQ. You don’t set up merchant accounts, chase vendor invoices, or run bookkeeping. You focus on execution with paid staff.
Q9: Can I host more than four events per year?
A: Yes. Once quality is proven on your first events, scale as far as you can maintain Epic standards.
Q10: How serious is the Workforce Alchemy assessment?
A: Very. It’s a licensed workplace assessment (retail $80 each) we provide at our cost. It measures fit, communication, and leadership style. We use it to dramatically help us decide who advances.
Q11: Will you share my assessment results?
A: No. We respect privacy. We only use the results internally for selection and team matching.
Q12: How many franchises per state?
A: Most states: 1. Big states (CA, FL, NY, TX) get 3–5, with additional expansion at our discretion based on demand and performance.
Q13: How will you contact me if I advance?
A: SMS first, then email. Past experience shows SMS gets seen instantly; email can get buried.
Ready to Fly This Mission — Phase One
This is Phase One: the Initial Interest Form. You are not yet applying for a franchise, you are applying to be considered.
- From each state Epic Ultras will accept up to 10 interest forms (except for large states where additional awards may be available).
- From those 10, we’ll select the Top 3 candidates to receive and complete the official franchise application.
- From those 3 finalists, 1 will be awarded the franchise for that state.
- When the final candidate is awarded and the contract is signed, the $5,000 deposit is due within 24 hours.
That is the process — simple, clear, earned.
➡ Complete the Interest Form ➡ Take the Workforce Alchemy Assessment ➡ Record the 2–3 minute Video
Then watch for SMS from HQ — if you’re in the Top 10 we’ll reach out with next steps, and if you’re in the Top 3 you’ll receive the full application package.
Epic Ultras 2.0 — The Franchise Movement.
Be bold. Be relentless. Be Epic.