New Craftsbury Running Program Director: Dakota Jones

Please join us in welcoming Dakota Jones to the Craftsbury community as our new running program director. We first met Dakota when he hosted 2 sessions of his Footprints running camps here in 2023-24, and we were impressed by the way he integrated mission with sport. With Alanna Tucker stepping down, we’re excited to welcome Dakota back as a full-time member of the Center and to see what we’ll build together.

“I have wanted to work with Craftsbury ever since hosting my Footprints running camp there in 2023,” Jones said. “Craftsbury is the perfect combination of training, lifestyle, landscape, and community, and together those things make us better athletes and better people.”

Dakota grew up in the Southwest, where long hikes and camping trips with his dad developed a love of wild places. In high school he volunteered at Colorado’s Hardrock 100 and quickly fell for the sport; by graduation, he had already completed three ultramarathons. He went on to build a career in long-distance trail racing.

That commitment to training outdoors led to concern for environmental problems. He became involved with Protect Our Winters and later founded his nonprofit, Footprints, which supports outdoor enthusiasts in developing  community-based climate action projects.

After more than 15 years as an athlete, Dakota is still racing, but he’s looking ahead. “As I think about how I want to continue my running career beyond competition, the example that always comes to mind is Craftsbury. It's a place where people can gather and be both challenged and supported in the best ways.”

“To have the opportunity to contribute to this incredible legacy and culture is an honor that I don't take lightly. I’m nervous because so many great people have worked hard to create something wonderful at Craftsbury—but I’m confident because those same people will help me carry it forward.”

Alanna Tucker has a big part of that legacy for the past seven years as a coach and director. She brought energy and beautifully executed camps to the Craftsbury community, all while balancing year-round coaching commitments. We wish her the very best in what comes next - personally and professionally - and hope she’ll visit soon.

If you see Dakota around campus, be sure to say hi!