Meet Briston Rains: He Started with One Controversial Race Post and Created a Trail Running Legacy
EPISODE OVERVIEW:
In this enlightening conversation with Briston Rains, founder and CEO of Texas Outlaw Running, we dive deep into the remarkable journey of how a college freshman's bold vision transformed into one of Texas' most successful trail running organizations.
At just 24 years old, Briston has defied conventional wisdom by building a thriving race management company that now operates 35+ events across Texas. His story begins in a college dorm room with just $300 to his name and unfolds into a testament to entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to the trail running community.
KEY DISCUSSION POINTS:
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
• Started with Apache Running clothing line in high school
• Conceived Texas Outlaw Running (originally Texas Devil Running) in a college economics class
• Initial funding through creative micro-investments from dorm mates
BUSINESS GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
• Evolution from controversial first race to professional race management
• Strategic approach to race selection and locations
• Innovative marketing strategies using limited resources
• Development of multiple revenue streams: races, coaching, and merchandise
OPERATIONAL INSIGHTS
• Building and maintaining a dedicated volunteer community
• Creating exceptional race experiences through three key principles:
- Best aid stations
- Perfect course markings
- Most encouraging staff and volunteers
• Expansion into road racing with the upcoming Gainesville Marathon
PERSONAL JOURNEY
• Balancing multiple roles: Race Director, CEO, Coach, Teacher, and new father
• Near-quitting moment in 2023 before breakthrough success
• Current training for Houston Marathon
• Integration of faith and business principles
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
• Discussion of trail vs. road race dynamics
• Strategic decisions behind race distances and locations
• Insights into the future of Texas trail running
BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY
• "One brick at a time" approach to building the business
• Focus on simplicity and user experience
• Commitment to reinvesting in the business
• Emphasis on genuine connections with the running community
The conversation provides valuable insights for:
• Aspiring race directors
• Entrepreneurs in the sports industry
• Trail and road runners
• Anyone interested in building a community-focused business
This episode stands out for its raw honesty about the challenges of building a business in the running industry, while offering practical insights into successful race management and community building. Briston's story serves as both inspiration and practical guide for anyone looking to turn their passion into a successful business venture.
Running Time: 53 minutes
In this enlightening conversation with Briston Rains, founder and CEO of Texas Outlaw Running, we dive deep into the remarkable journey of how a college freshman's bold vision transformed into one of Texas' most successful trail running organizations.
At just 24 years old, Briston has defied conventional wisdom by building a thriving race management company that now operates 35+ events across Texas. His story begins in a college dorm room with just $300 to his name and unfolds into a testament to entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to the trail running community.
KEY DISCUSSION POINTS:
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
• Started with Apache Running clothing line in high school
• Conceived Texas Outlaw Running (originally Texas Devil Running) in a college economics class
• Initial funding through creative micro-investments from dorm mates
BUSINESS GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
• Evolution from controversial first race to professional race management
• Strategic approach to race selection and locations
• Innovative marketing strategies using limited resources
• Development of multiple revenue streams: races, coaching, and merchandise
OPERATIONAL INSIGHTS
• Building and maintaining a dedicated volunteer community
• Creating exceptional race experiences through three key principles:
- Best aid stations
- Perfect course markings
- Most encouraging staff and volunteers
• Expansion into road racing with the upcoming Gainesville Marathon
PERSONAL JOURNEY
• Balancing multiple roles: Race Director, CEO, Coach, Teacher, and new father
• Near-quitting moment in 2023 before breakthrough success
• Current training for Houston Marathon
• Integration of faith and business principles
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
• Discussion of trail vs. road race dynamics
• Strategic decisions behind race distances and locations
• Insights into the future of Texas trail running
BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY
• "One brick at a time" approach to building the business
• Focus on simplicity and user experience
• Commitment to reinvesting in the business
• Emphasis on genuine connections with the running community
The conversation provides valuable insights for:
• Aspiring race directors
• Entrepreneurs in the sports industry
• Trail and road runners
• Anyone interested in building a community-focused business
This episode stands out for its raw honesty about the challenges of building a business in the running industry, while offering practical insights into successful race management and community building. Briston's story serves as both inspiration and practical guide for anyone looking to turn their passion into a successful business venture.
Running Time: 53 minutes
Creators and Guests
Host
Chris Detzel
Chris Detzel is the passionate host and creator of "DFW Running Talk," the premier podcast dedicated to showcasing the vibrant running community across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Since launching the show in October 2024, Chris has established himself as a central voice in North Texas running culture, conducting in-depth conversations with elite athletes, coaches, race directors, and inspiring everyday runners who define the region's diverse running scene. As both interviewer and active participant in the DFW running community, Chris brings an authentic perspective shaped by years of personal running experience. While he describes himself as primarily a half marathon runner rather than a marathoner - citing the extensive training commitment and unpredictability of marathon race day - his deep knowledge of running culture spans the full spectrum from 5Ks to ultramarathons. His preference for half marathons stems from their balance of challenge and accessibility, allowing him to race monthly without the intensive training demands of longer distances. Chris's connection to elite running runs through his family - his wife Lea Ivy is an accomplished marathoner who has completed the Boston Marathon 12 times consecutively, achieving a personal best of 3:14 at age 45. This personal connection to high-level competition, combined with his own running journey, gives Chris unique insight into both the elite and recreational sides of the sport. He often travels to Boston to support Lea's racing and has become part of the broader running community that gathers around major events like the Boston Marathon. Through DFW Running Talk, Chris has created more than just a podcast - he's built a platform that celebrates the depth and diversity of North Texas running talent. His interviews reveal the stories behind local legends, from sub-3:00 marathoners to innovative coaches, from race directors creating memorable experiences to everyday runners achieving extraordinary personal transformations. The show has featured conversations with accomplished athletes like Shantel Cloud (sub-3:00 marathoner), Travis Dowd (Dallas Marathon winner), and Mimi Smith (Olympic Trials competitor), alongside community builders and running industry professionals. What sets Chris apart as a host is his ability to connect with guests on multiple levels - as a fellow runner who understands training cycles and race strategy, as a community member invested in the local running scene, and as a skilled interviewer who draws out both technical insights and personal stories. His approach prioritizes authentic conversation over surface-level inspiration, resulting in episodes that offer genuine value to runners of all levels. Based in the Dallas area, Chris continues to grow DFW Running Talk's reach across multiple platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube, while maintaining strong connections to local running organizations like Dallas Running Club and participating in the broader Texas running community. His work documents and celebrates a running culture that he believes is "way more badass than it has any right to be."
