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 Grace Taylor 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 to distance milestones and sharing their experiences with the community on social media.
We hope these interviews will inspire you to get out on the trails while getting to know trail runners from different parts of the country. If you haven’t already joined our challenge, you can learn more about it and sign-up on our website.
Let’s get to know Grace Taylor
Hometown: Moodus, Connecticut
Age: 27
25th Anniversary Challenge region: Northeast
Years running trails: Running/hiking since age 14
Average miles per week on trails: 6
Favorite race distance: 10k
Longest trail race completed: I haven’t done a trail race yet (was supposed to happen 2020, we shall see).
[American Trail Running Association] How did you get into trail running?
[Grace Taylor] I was introduced to trail running by my friend Tim.
[ATRA] What motivates you to get out and run on trails?
[Taylor] Scenery.
[ATRA] What has your experience been running on trails versus running on roads?
[Taylor] Less people (on trails) makes it so much better.
[ATRA] What do you like best about being part of the trail running community?
[Taylor] The food and the open honesty.
[ATRA] What advice would you give to someone trying trail running for the first time?
[Taylor] You will probably commit to a longer race than you mean to and love every second.
[ATRA] How did you first learn about our 25th Anniversary Challenge?
[Taylor] Tim McNamara (team captain for the NorthEast region)
[ATRA] What do you enjoy most about our 25th Anniversary Challenge?
[Taylor] Getting to see where everyone else is running via photos.
[ATRA] Part of our 25th Anniversary Challenge is the weekly trail teaser. What trail teaser would you like to see during the challenge?
[Taylor] Best post run snack challenge, the more unique or complicated the better.
[ATRA] Share with us how our 25th Anniversary Challenge has motivated you.
[Taylor] It motivates me that no distance is too little and no hill is too steep because in the end, the views are worth it.
[ATRA] What is your favorite post-run or post-race indulgence?
[Taylor] A rainbow bagel.
[ATRA] What is your favorite trail running shoe?
[Taylor] My Nike’s are holding up (don’t know how).
[ATRA] What is your favorite time of day to run trails?
[Taylor] Dusk or Dawn
Grace Taylor’s pick one quiz results:
- She prefers Wide Path over Single Track
- She prefers Downhill over Uphill
- She prefers Planking over Push Ups
- She prefers Massage over Foam Rolling
- She prefers Long Run over Speed Work
If you enjoyed this interview with Grace Taylor, there’s more! Our earlier challenge profiles include interviews with Jess Clarke, Diane Groff, Jeanette Reynolds, Amy Machael, Anastasia Christman, George Rehmet, Long Island’s Tim McNamara, San Antonio, Texas trail runner Kimberly Aubuchon, Sandra Galindo and Brooklyn’s Zobel Belisario.
