The Manitou Incline
Step up to the Challenge
The Women’s Adventure Club specializes in team fitness, bringing together women who share a passion for adventure, community, and personal growth. With expert coaching and a supportive team, we help you take on challenges like the legendary Manitou Incline—because you don’t have to do it alone.
Our Incline Training Programs are designed for all levels, whether you’re tackling the incline for the first time or looking to push your limits with our advanced Superman Challenge. No matter your speed or experience, endurance, strength, and consistency are what matter most.
What to Expect
- Weekly Team Workouts – We meet once a week for a guided sunrise incline climb, gradually increasing intensity.
- Strength & Conditioning – More than just climbing stairs! Build endurance and power with weights, bands, and body resistance exercises. Expect to squat, sprint, lift, laugh, and climb together—all in preparation for the challenge.
- A World-Famous Adventure – The Manitou Incline is one of the highest stair climbs in the world, drawing adventurers from across the globe. This program ensures you’re strong, confident, and ready to take it on!
- Supportive Team Atmosphere – We believe in encouragement over ego—no one gets left behind. With two coaches at every session, you’ll always have support.
- Community & Accountability – Stay connected with your team through our exclusive group chat, where you’ll get motivation, training tips, and weekly check-ins.
- A Well-Earned Celebration – After we conquer the incline, we’ll celebrate together with a post-climb team luncheon (or dinner).
A Glance at our Program!
You Are Strong Enough to Start
The Women’s Adventure Club is built on the belief that every woman belongs here—just as she is. You don’t need to be the fastest, the fittest, or the most experienced to take on this challenge. What matters is your willingness to show up, push yourself, and support your team.
- Your journey is uniquely yours. Whether you take it one step at a time or power up the incline, every effort counts.
- Strength comes in many forms. Mental toughness, perseverance, and showing up for yourself are just as important as physical endurance.
- You will never be alone. Our coaches and teammates are with you every step of the way, cheering you on and making sure no one gets left behind.
This isn’t just about climbing stairs—it’s about proving to yourself that you can take on big challenges, push past limits, and celebrate every victory. You are strong enough, brave enough, and ready enough to start. All you have to do is take the first step.
Choose Your Team:
Meet Our Coaches!
Marina Lehmann is a German native—and far from your typical coach. For much of her early life, including high school and well into her mid-twenties, the outdoors, team sports, or anything that involved exercise held little appeal. Life took a profound turn after the passing of her husband, and Marina knew that something had to change.
She found healing outside. Nature became her sanctuary – a place to process, breathe, reflect, and begin again. When she started running, it was more than exercise; it was a lifeline. Movement became essential to her healing, strengthening her body while restoring her mind and spirit – the foundation of the work she now shares with others.
Today, Marina lives in Southeast Aurora with her two children and lives by a simple but powerful philosophy: go outside every day and move your body. As a family, they hike together once a week, no matter the distance, because she understands how deeply sunshine, movement, and connection shape overall well-being. Whether she’s hiking mountain trails, running at sunrise or fun 5Ks with her kids, training at the gym, paddleboarding, or biking, Marina embraces movement as a way of life.
Beyond her daily adventures, Marina loves traveling to Europe and Asia and exploring U.S. National Parks – 40 of 63 so far. One day, she dreams of hiking the breathtaking landscapes of Peru and Nepal. Through her own journey, Marina empowers others to reclaim their strength, reconnect with nature, and keep moving forward – one step at a time, at their own pace.
Annie Stratford has been an athlete for as long as she can remember. From basketball in middle school to swim team in high school, 5Ks and 10Ks in her 20s, and competitive boxing in her 30s, movement has always been at the heart of her life.
Today, Annie continues to train as an amateur boxer in Denver while teaching kickboxing and inspiring others to embrace their own strength—both physical and mental. When she’s not in the gym, you’ll find her outdoors: paddle boarding, hiking, camping, or digging into her garden. Her love for movement and the outdoors go hand in hand.
Annie lives in Highlands Ranch with her husband and two children, where she leads by example—showing that adventure, fitness, and fierce joy are always within reach.
Cancellation Policy:
We love tackling trails in all conditions—rain, shine, sleet, or snow. To ensure you’re prepared for any weather, we recommend checking out our gear shop for the best equipment to keep you comfortable and safe. We take pride in showing that weather can’t hold us back and that we can overcome any challenge. However, please note that in extreme cases, if the weather poses a significant safety risk, we will cancel the event and notify all attendees. Your safety is our top priority.
Refund Policy:
Thank you for supporting our grassroots organization! Please note that all registrations are final. We are unable to offer refunds, credits, or deferrals for any of our training programs, special events, or workshops. We understand that travel, injuries, and unexpected conflicts can arise. However, your registration directly supports our planning process and allows us to fairly compensate our coaches and event leaders—who dedicate significant time and energy preparing for each participant.