A Guide to Winter Trail Running Gear and Apparel Terminology

Winter Trail Running

Finding the right winter trail running gear is essential to staying comfortable and warm during your runs this time of year. What do I mean by “comfort?” Firstly, it’s based on personal perception and everyone has a different perception of when they are and aren’t comfortable. Most people agree that being cold and wet is… Read more »

Out-of-the-Box Injury Treatments for Staying on the Trail

“You probably shouldn’t run anymore, get a bike.” Those are the words of every runners’ nightmares, and what was said to me by an orthopedic surgeon three years ago following a cartilage injury to my knee. I did get a bike, because bikes are awesome. I also got a new doctor. Refusing to give those… Read more »

ATRA 25th Anniversary Challenge – Fall 2020

Anniversary

We at American Trail Running Association are excited to be celebrating our 25th anniversary through a unique virtual challenge for trail runners. Our first three tired challenge kicks off September 1, and runs through December 31, 2020. Participants can set goals of 25, 250 or 2500 kilometers and can walk, hike, or run their way… Read more »

ATRA Member Leslie Jordan, Inc. Introduces Pet Bandanas

Leslie Jordan

Announcement from longtime ATRA corporate member and Portland, Oregon based apparel manufacturer Leslie Jordan, Inc. Anyone who knows Leslie Jordan knows her affinity for pets – cats especially – so it should be no surprise that the event apparel manufacturer has expanded yet again by adding fully customizable pet bandanas to an already impressive product… Read more »

Collegiate Running Association Adds Snowshoe To Mountain & Trail

Collegiate

Year in review written by Collegiate Running Association co-founder Steve Taylor. 2020 was a year marred with massive interruptions for the organization due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Collegiate Running Association (CRA) was scheduled to host a record six national championships in Snowshoe, Road, Mountain and Trail Running for college students. For the first time… Read more »

Dean Karnazes to Run Greece’s 421 KM Run Messinia

Run Messinia

Run Messinia is an ultramarathon race of a total distance of approximately 421 kilometers, a tribute to the important events and unforgettable battles of the heroes of 1821. At the beginning of March 2021, during the “Run for Freedom” edition, 10 runners will attempt to run 10 long distances, in 10 days, crossing historical places… Read more »

World Mountain Running Association Stages Virtual Congress Meeting

Mountain Running

This past Saturday, the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) held its 37th annual congress meeting over a video conference. Normally this gathering of athletics federation representatives meets in person at the annual World Mountain Running Championships. Unfortunately, because the world championships originally scheduled to take place earlier this month in Lanzarote, Spain was cancelled, the… Read more »

New York’s Moreau Half Marathon Features Staircase of Death

Moreau Half Marathon race report written by ATRA contributor Laura Clark. Laura is an avid mountain, trail and snowshoe runner who lives in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she is a children’s librarian. Photos by Mountain Dog Running. At my relaxed age, I no longer worry about every race. I just like to spend a day… Read more »

ATRA Member inov-8 Goes Green for Black Friday

Announcement from long-time American Trail Running Association (ATRA) member inov-8. inov-8 has put a green twist on this year’s Black Friday by promising to donate 5% of all sales towards planting trees. The Lake District based brand – who specialize in running, hiking and fitness gear – have teamed up with Cumbria Wildlife Trust, a… Read more »

What’s it Like to Run 200 Miles? Steven Aderholt Tells All

Steven Aderholt

Last month I traveled to Southeast Utah to attend the Moab 240 and learn about “angel pacing” and find someone engaged in this type of pacing. While hanging out at my first multi-day ultrarunning event, I was also introduced to the unique challenges 200-mile events provided competitors, race crews and organizers. After a very long… Read more »

World Mountain Running Association Announces 2021 World Cup

World Cup

World Cup announcement from the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA). Above photo by Marco Gulberti. ATRA founder Nancy Hobbs is a member of the WMRA Council. The World Mountain Running Association is pleased to present the 2021 World Cup calendar with events in the United States, Poland, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, France and Austria…. Read more »

Tayte Pollmann’s Six Favorite Trail Running Podcasts

Podcasts

Listening to trail running podcasts is a great way to keep up with the people, races and training advice inside the trail running community. These podcasts vary in style, length, and delivery, so I like to listen to a diverse assortment. Episodes can be as short as 15 minutes while others may last more than… Read more »

Trail Running Podcast Directory

Trail Life Podcast

[Editor’s Note: Do you know about a great podcast for trail runners that’s not on our list? Let us know!] Fifteen years after Apple launched 3000 free podcasts on iTunes, there are now over 700,000 active podcasts and over 55% of Americans have listened to a podcast. Trail runners are no exception to this trend…. Read more »

Trail Running in the Pandemic – Our Survey Results

Pandemic

Everyone has faced struggles during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic including those of us in the trail running community. Both race directors and runners have had to adapt how they organize races and train for the sport. With so many races cancelled and shopping habits disrupted, brands have had to find creative ways to connect with… Read more »

Nancy’s Top Ten Tips for Trail Running Success

Trail Running Tips

I was recently a guest on The Trail Life Podcast hosted by Jeff Stoner, owner of American Trail Running Association corporate member Endurance Race Series. Jeff and I talked about what makes the trail running community special and what it means to be a trail runner. Among the many topics covered during our conversation, I… Read more »

Race Report: Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon and Squirrelly Six Mile

Hairy Gorilla

Hairy Gorilla race report written by ATRA contributor Laura Clark. Laura is an avid mountain, trail and snowshoe runner who lives in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she is a children’s librarian. Laura’s race report was first published in the the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club (HMRRC) newsletter and is re-posted here with permission. With temperatures in… Read more »

How to Support Clean Sport in Trail Running

Clean Sport

Earlier this month I traveled to the USATF Marathon Trail Championships hosted by the Moab Trail Marathon in the scenic canyon country of Southeast Utah. As a native Utahan, this event has holds a special place in my heart as Moab was my first ever trail marathon when I raced it back in 2015. Instead… Read more »

25th Anniversary Challenge Trail Runner Profile: Diane Groff

Diane Groff

As the non-profit American Trail Running Association approaches a quarter century of service, we are interviewing trail runners from around the United States like Diane Groff who are participating in our 25th Anniversary Challenge. Through these profiles we’ll introduce you to lesser known every day athletes who are walking, hiking, or trail running their way… Read more »

Got 200-Mile Racing Questions? Tayte Pollmann Has Answers

200-Mile

Trail races at the 200-mile distance are gaining attention in the ultra trail running community in the United States. Just as 100 mile races have surpassed the marathon as a bucket list accomplishment for long distance runners, the emergence of 200 mile races is pushing the boundaries of endurance for athletes, race directors and fans…. Read more »