Built for the pursuit
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est. 2007
MEET THE CREW
Craig & Maddie Braun |Â Owners
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We're proud to have built this race business into something that reflects who we are as a family. Over the last 19 years, we've welcomed tens of thousands of athletes to our events, organizing everything from one mile kids races to the longest triathlon in the United States a 1,406-mile nonstop triathlon.
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Mammoth Endurance is a family business in every sense of the word. Founded by Cole & Jenny Braun and purchased by Craig & Maddie Braun in 2015, it is now operated by brothers Craig & Andrew Braun. Our entire family shows up on race weekend. Whether it's cooking, setting up, volunteering, or helping athletes, everyone has a role to play. From the youngest kids to the adults, you'll find a piece of our family in every event we produce.
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We started this business because we love racing and wanted to create the kind of events we'd be excited to sign up for ourselves. Over time, it became about much more than race day. Medals, rankings, and finish lines don't define us - growth does. The challenge, the struggle, the lessons learned along the way, and the pursuit of becoming better than we were yesterday for the people around us are what truly matter.
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We have a lot of fun doing this work, but we don't take it lightly. We pour ourselves into every event we create. Outside of race directing, Craig builds custom furniture from his home workshop, Maddie owns a hair salon, Leo races BMX around the country and spends every chance he gets on a dirt bike, and Ellie is the miracle we prayed nine years for. We work hard, stay close as a family, and continue putting on these events because we love being a small part of the incredible journeys people are on.
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e: craig@mammothendurance.com
Andrew Braun |Â Co Race-Director
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Andrew has been around endurance racing for most of his life. He grew up helping at races, setting up courses, competing himself, and eventually directing events of his own. A former athletic trainer, collegiate runner, and Ironman finisher, he brings a unique perspective as both an athlete and race organizer. That experience helps shape and elevate every event we produce.
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Andrew lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, with his wife, Karly, and their two daughters. He has a servant's heart and a genuine passion for helping people pursue their goals, both in sport and in life. He leads the same way he races - quietly, consistently, and with purpose. Never one to seek the spotlight, he's the kind of leader who earns respect through his actions and lifts others up through encouragement, humility, and example.
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Whether he's helping an athlete through a tough moment, solving a problem behind the scenes, or simply sharing a conversation, he has a way of making people feel supported and capable. Spend enough time around him, and there's a good chance you'll leave having learned something valuable, whether he meant to teach it or not.
e: andrew@mammothendurance.com
Ryan Dugger |Â Photo & Video
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Ryan is one of the best in the world at what he does, and we're fortunate to have him as part of the team. From award winning feature length documentaries to race day photography, he has a gift for capturing the full spectrum of the human experience. He's documented countless athletes in their most raw and vulnerable moments, as well as their moments of joy, triumph, and connection. His work serves as a reminder that the real story isn't found at the finish line, it's found in the journey.
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Ryan and his wife, Genette, call Chattanooga, Tennessee home, where they're raising their two sons while pursuing their own dreams and adventures. Ryan has faced adversity head-on throughout his life. As a young boy, after suffering two collapsed lungs, he was told he would never be a marathon runner. Years later, shortly after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, he refused to accept those limitations and went on to complete his first marathon. He understands the belief, resilience, and persistence it takes to keep showing up when others say you can't. That's why his work resonates so deeply with our community. There is no one we'd rather have at our events documenting the pursuit - capturing not just who we are in a moment, but who we're becoming through the process.
e: ryan@banderastudios.com
Drew Elrick | Graphics & Design
Drew is the creative force behind the Mammoth Endurance brand. From our logos and apparel to race graphics and event branding, he's the guy responsible for making sure we don't look like amateurs. As a cyclist and lifelong fan of endurance sports, he understands the effort, sacrifice, and mindset that come with chasing big goals. That understanding shows up in his work. He has a unique ability to create designs that communicate who we are and what we believe without needing a single word.
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Drew and his wife live in Minneapolis, MN, where they're raising a family they absolutely adore. We've spent more than two decades dreaming up ideas together. Some of our earliest memories involve sketching logos in the back of high school classrooms and talking about the things we hoped to build someday.
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He's an incredibly talented artist, but more importantly, he's a great friend, a devoted husband, and a loving father. The truth is, without Drew, Mammoth probably wouldn't look nearly as good as it does. So thanks, brother. Here's to more ideas, more art, and a lot more memories down the road.Â
e: drew.elrick@gmail.com