Mascot Sports Climbs the Charts as One of America's Fastest-Growing Companies

Mascot Sports: A New Era in Experiential Marketing

In a remarkable achievement, Mascot Sports has been honored on the Inc. 5000 list for 2026, ranking at number 405 among the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. This prestigious listing recognizes firms for their exceptional revenue growth from 2022 to 2025, marking Mascot's second consecutive year on this illustrious list.

Founded in 2016 by Ryan Dawkins, the agency has pioneered a unique niche in the realm of experiential marketing. With a business model built around a format that was virtually non-existent just three years ago, Mascot Sports effectively pairs top-tier artists with running events to create an immersive experience for fans.

The inception of this innovative concept can be traced back to 2024 with the launch of Diplo's Run Club. This initiative saw a staggering turnout, selling over 100,000 tickets and attracting between 10,000 to 15,000 runners at each event. Following this success, Travis Barker's Run Travis Run commenced in late 2025, while Gunna's Wunna Run Club has since made appearances across nine different cities, including New York, Toronto, and Johannesburg.

The traction gained by the run clubs not only speaks volumes about the growing popularity of experiential events but also reflects a wider cultural shift towards active participation in wellness. In March of this year, Diplo's Run Club earned recognition as one of Fast Company's 2026 Most Innovative Companies, placing in the wellness and personal care sector along with the overall list—a testament to the groundbreaking nature of Mascot's approach.

Adding to the accolades, the San Francisco Business Times listed Mascot Sports as the 12th fastest-growing private company in the Bay Area, attributing a remarkable 250% growth over two years. This rapid ascent has certainly caught the attention of industry leaders, establishing Mascot not only as a leader in experiential marketing but also as a case study in redefining how audiences engage with artists outside traditional formats.

"Artists have always had huge, devoted audiences and almost no way to be with them outside a stage and a barricade," states Ryan Dawkins, the visionary founder and CEO of Mascot Sports. "A run club fixes that. You finish tired, you finish proud, and the artist is right there finishing with you. No concert does that, and no road race does that either. Numbers like these tell us people were waiting for someone to try it."

At the heart of Mascot’s operations is a full-service approach—managing routing, permitting, production, creative, sponsorship, and content in-house. The agency also extends its reach beyond run clubs, producing significant events such as the Golden State Warriors’ Golden State 5K, the Bay Bridge Half Marathon, and the Livermore Valley Half Marathon 5K. Importantly, each run club series supports nonprofit partners like Good Sports and Community Organized Relief Effort, integrating social responsibility into its model.

About Mascot Sports

Mascot Sports continues to thrive at the intersection of sports, music, and brand activation. The experiential marketing and live event production agency is making remarkable strides in the running and wellness event space nationwide. With esteemed partners, including Live Nation, UMG, Warner Bros., and Red Bull, Mascot is well-positioned to lead the trend of talent-led experiences that resonate with large audiences. Headquartered in San Francisco, the agency also has offices in Denver and Asheville, further establishing its presence across the country.

For more insights about their endeavors and future plans, visit MascotSports.com.