YOUR AD HERE »

Local blogger runs with original idea

Christopher Kamrani, Of the Record staff

Combining the world of outdoor activity and fashion seems like a difficult task, but local runner Keely Coxon is willingly taking on the challenge.

The 24-year-old Park City resident who also owns her own copy-writing firm, graduated from the University of Utah a year ago with a degree in public relations and had the idea of starting a unique online platform for men and women.

Her idea? As simple as starting a blog. And after her idea came to fruition on March 11, her website, http://www.runcute.com , has already boomed with hits and specified visitors.

Coxon tests and blogs about different types of outdoor fashion anything from shoes and clothing, to beauty products, cosmetics, hydration packs, watches and headphones.

Within 24 hours of the site’s launch, there had been close to 500 prolonged visitors to the site and 1,100 page views.

"It’s been absolutely unbelievable," she said.

After a continual push from her friends to start working on the project, Coxon finally caved and is more than happy she did.

"I always kind of had this cool idea," she said. "Why not start this community?"

Her eclectic background, a combination of alpine ski racing, trail running, figure skating, horseback riding, kickboxing, has helped her reach numerous audiences.

The unique blog has garnered many positive reviews in its short time online, according to Coxon, and while she wants to be able to touch almost every angle of her demographic, she adamantly argued that the reviews of trails she runs or the attire she tests out during outdoor activity must be reviewed in a straightforward manner.

"That’s really important to me," she said. "Providing legitimate reviews is really important."

She said there will always be doubters and expected some snide comments about the site from the outdoors community, which she said is fairly set in its ways.

Coxon decided to add a weekly post to her blog introducing a successful runner or athlete from somewhere in the United States. She said the short profiles will state specific sports, goals and interests.

"It’s fun," she said.

Coxon said she splits time between her home in Park City with time in Los Angeles, and the Northwest, where she grew up.

Right now, Coxon is working on a trail review of the Round Valley area, and plans to do write-ups on trails around Mount Hood in Oregon and around the Seattle area along with places in Whistler, B.C., in the near future.

"I don’t think it’s that difficult," she joked.

She said she’s had a couple fairly large outdoor recreation companies back and advertise with the site and is excited with the direction the blog is headed.

While there’s pressure as such a young business venture to appease large companies, Coxon said stating the truth of what she sees and reviews is what is most important to her and will help the blog’s long-term sustainability.

"I’m always going to be honest," she said.

Juggling her own business along with launching a site, Coxon has gone all-out in her spare time, but said she’s just enjoying watching the site grow.

"The best part was having the confidence to take the step and jump in with both feet," she said.

News


See more

Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Park City and Summit County make the Park Record's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.