The Running Event – known by its acronym “TRE” by industry insiders – took place in Austin, Texas at the end of November. The exhibitors and speakers sought to educate, dazzle, and present all the new, improved, or tried-and-true running products, trends, and services to running retailers and industry professionals alike. The Running Event always… Read more »
Trail News
Better Together – Our 2024 Theme
The American Trail Running Association’s (ATRA) advisory board enthusiastically shares our 2024 theme, “Better Together.” This year’s theme has many different interpretations, not the least of which is the fact that togetherness creates and builds community. That togetherness can be far reaching and include partnerships, mentorship, coaching, collaborations, and multi-user experiences on the trails. The… Read more »
2024 NACAC Mountain & Trail Running Championships – US Team Selection
The 18th annual NACAC Mountain Running Championships will become the second ever NACAC Mountain & Trail Running Championships to be held August 3-4, 2023, in Villa del Carbón, Mexico. For 2024, the events are organized under the auspices of Federación Mexicana de Asociaciones. The classic mountain running race will be an up/down format event of… Read more »
Running Up For Air Expands to Include Global RUFA Day
The following article featuring Running Up For Air was written by Lisa Jhung and first appeared in the winter 2023 issue of ATRA’s quarterly newsletter Trail Times. Excitement is building for Running Up For Air as ultrarunner Jared Campbell’s brainchild gains support from sponsor Patagonia. On the snowy trail up Utah’s 8,299-foot Grandeur Peak last… Read more »
Ashworth Awards, A Leader in Sustainable Trail Race Business
Ashworth Awards, a family-owned and operated event awards company based in North Attleboro, MA, is paving the way for a shift to more sustainable running event awards. Since its inception in 1965, Ashworth Awards has taken actions to improve their sustainability efforts as a company, which include sourcing US-made products, reducing packaging materials, and calculating… Read more »
2024 Challenge Stellina International Meeting of Nations – US Team Selection
The 35th edition of Challenge Stellina, a 14.3K uphill race with 1500 meters of climb, will take place Sunday, August 25, 2024, in Susa, Italy. For 2024, the race will host for the third consecutive year, an international competition for athletics federations from countries that fought on the side of the allies in World War… Read more »
Trail Runner’s Survey: Livestreaming
ATRA recently conducted a survey to learn what individuals look for in a livestream, why they watch a livestream, whether watch time is live or from a recording, and much more. Below are some demographics of the 1240 respondents followed by a recap of some of the response data. Demographics Age breakdown: 54% ages 40-59… Read more »
Building Emotional Fitness
This article focusing on emotional fitness first appeared in ATRA’s winter 2023 quarterly newsletter Trail Times and was written by Samantha Pruitt. Part one in a series: How to train your mind and body for winning your life. As an athlete, coach, and business leader I have learned a few things — usually the hard… Read more »
TRAIL TIMES Winter 2023 – VOLUME 28, NUMBER 105
Read the Winter 2023 edition of our Trail Times! Trail Times Winter 2023 – Volume 28, Number 105 You are unauthorized to view this page. You must have an active Membership on ATRA. To sign up or learn more, go here! OR If you are a member already, please log in below! Username or E-mail… Read more »
Featured Trail Town: Knoxville, TN
The following feature on Knoxville, Tennessee was provided by Caleb Wilson and the team at Visit Knoxville Sports Commission. This city on the Tennessee River will host the 12th annual US Trail Running Conference October 23-25, 2024. Being located close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the east and the rugged Cumberland Plateau… Read more »
U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifiers who also run trails
The following article was compiled by ATRA team member Andy Wacker and features trail and mountain runners who have qualified to race in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Featured photo of Rachel Drake racing in Argentina at the 2019 World Mountain Running Championships. Every four years, USATF holds a championship-style race where the top three… Read more »
2024 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup Calendar Unveiled
The following release from Hector Rubio, media manager, World Mountain Running Association, highlights the 2024 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup calendar. Cover photo of Scout Adkin courtesy Marco Gulberti. Featuring a roster spanning eight countries, encompassing 10 events and a total of 13 races, this season promises a thrilling array of locations, beloved classics, and… Read more »
Born to Run 2024 Scholarship Announced
The following announcement is from our friends at Born to Run (BTR) who are looking for applicants with a passion for community, serving others, and running. See below for details. SANTA MARIA, California, December 8, 2023 – The BTR Scholarship Committee announces the launch of the Born to Run (BTR) scholarships for 2024. This new… Read more »
Roots of RouteArrows and Better Trail Race Course Marking
“Exaggerate the essential, leave the obvious vague.” ― Vincent Van Gogh Trail race participants may take the process of course marking for granted, until they get lost following poorly placed signage. Course marking is an essential step of every trail race and is not only time-consuming for race organizers, but is one of the basic… Read more »
Protect Our Winters Holiday Stoke Fest Highlights Climate-Advocacy Storytelling
Protect Our Winters (POW), one of the nation’s leading organizations for climate action in outdoor communities, is launching a virtual “Holiday Stoke Fest” film festival free to the public. POW has been one of the most influential groups empowering trail runners as climate action leaders (see our article from 2020 with POW athletes Clare Gallagher… Read more »
Timely topics highlighted at The Running Event
The 17th edition of The Running Event (TRE) was held in Austin, Texas from November 28-30, and featured more than 300 vendors in a two-day expo, educational sessions, and numerous networking opportunities. TRE is North America’s premier specialty retail conference and trade show welcoming race directors, media, run specialty store owners, brands and organizations. TRE… Read more »
ATRA Member VJ North America Introduces The Ace: Revolutionizing Winter Running
Announcement from longtime American Trail Running Association (ATRA) member VJ North America. Photos: VJ North America. Portland, OR – As the winter chill sets in, VJ North America proudly unveils its newest shoe: the VJ Ace, a winter running shoe engineered for supreme comfort and unparalleled performance in icy conditions with a waterproof upper and… Read more »
Mike Bone Announced as Chair of Catalina Island Special Events Committee
The following release is published with permission from ATRA corporate member Spectrum Sports Management, organizers of Catalina Island Race Series. AVALON, Calif. — The Special Events Committee on Catalina Island has welcomed Mike Bone, President and CEO of Spectrum Sports Management, as their new Committee Chair. The committee is dedicated to attracting events to the island, while… Read more »
Launch Point Leadville: Former U.S. Junior Team Member Ben Butler’s Return To Trails
“Trail running is less about the finishing kick and more about the heart.” — Ben Butler The Jersey Still Fits For two years, Ben Butler did not want to look at his Team USA singlet. He earned his “red, white and blue” attire at age eighteen by competing on the silver medal-winning junior boys’ team… Read more »
2023 USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Runners of the Year Announced
The Mountain/Ultra/Trail running (MUT) executive committee (13 members) of long distance running recently selected the 2023 USATF Mountain, Ultra and Trail Runners of the Year. During the Mountain Ultra Trail Running Council session at this year’s USATF Annual Meeting the recipients were announced and are listed below. Selection Criteria for MUT Runners of the Year… Read more »