About
About Wise Owl Races
Two runners who wanted to see their own races come to life.
The story
We started Wise Owl to build the kinds of races we wanted to run ourselves: challenging, welcoming events that help people explore Tennessee and discover what they're capable of along the way.
Wise Owl Races started in Nashville with a familiar long-run conversation: "I had this race idea I wish existed."
So we built it. Trail relays, ultra camps, a fast trail half and 4-miler: events we'd want to show up for ourselves.
What we care about
Challenge worth taking on. We want runners to leave our events feeling like they pushed themselves somewhere meaningful and came out stronger on the other side.
Clear communication. Courses should be marked well. Information should be easy to find. Runners should never feel confused about what's happening.
Places worth exploring. We build races around trails, parks, and landscapes that make the experience feel connected to the land itself.
Welcoming community. Whether you're racing for the podium or trying something difficult for the first time, we want Wise Owl events to feel encouraging and shared.
Stephen Formosa
Co-Owner and Co-Director. Resident ultra runner and Frozen Head regular. Stephen leads on course design, camps, and trail-weekend logistics.
Stephen came into running through the trails first. His first ultra was the Barkley Fall Classic, and in 2025 he completed a seven-day run along the Cumberland Trail. He is usually the person scouting routes, talking with park managers, or figuring out how to make a course feel both challenging and memorable.
Best to reach Stephen about course questions, trail conditions, permitting, and trail gear.
Kelby Dover
Co-Owner and Co-Director. Nashville-based road, trail, and now ultra runner. Sub-3 road marathon, multiple ultra finishes, and the lead on registration, sponsorships, and platform at Wise Owl.
Kelby is usually focused on the details runners may never consciously notice: clear communication, smooth check-in flow, race-day organization, and making sure nobody is left wondering what's going on. He is also the founder of Run This.
Best to reach Kelby about registration questions, sponsorships, partnerships, and runner communication.